On March 29, the Oral Wellness Learning Institute for Dentistry (OWL) where I serve as the educational director, had the privilege to assemble an amazing group of dental and medical practitioners and advocates. Our guests included representatives from Diabetes Canada, the CDHA, Sleep Disorders Dentistry, as well as naturopathic doctors, researchers, dentists, and dental hygienists. … Read more
April and Oral Cancer Awareness Month has just passed; a time when our attention once again turned to this insidious disease. Unfortunately due to over two-thirds of oral and oropharyngeal cancers being discovered in the later stages, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years. 1 As a dental hygienist, it is … Read more
Discover a world of mystery, history, and lore inside your mouth. Yes, we’re talking about teeth! In Open Wide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about your teeth. No matter what you call them, pearly whites, chompers, canines, or tooth fairy bait, teeth play a vital part in your life and have an … Read more
I have been a member of a committee tasked with the re-development of a geriatric dental clinic at Baycrest Hospital in Toronto. Recognising the need , Baycrest approached the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity in Toronto for our professional expertise with this project. After 4 years of planning, the clinic is in the final stages of … Read more
Cone-beam computed tomography…rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? Well, if not now, it soon will. At the recent IDS in Cologne, Germany, CBCT was prominent. CBCT is one of the latest advancements in global dental imaging systems and is considered a prominent product-type segment in the global market for dental imaging equipment. The use of … Read more
Dental hygienists raised concerns that adding the PST to health insurance premiums will reduce access to dental care in Saskatchewan at a meeting with MLAs in Regina on Monday. The Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists Association organized the meeting to enlighten MLAs on the rate of oral disease in the province. Association executive director Kellie Watson said the … Read more
National Dental Hygienists Week™ (NDHW™) takes place from April 8‒14 as part of oral health month in Canada. During that week, which emphasizes “Oral Health for Total Health,” dental hygienists remind us all that taking care of our mouth, teeth, and gums benefits our overall physical and mental well-being. Dental hygienists are primary health care … Read more
During National Nutrition Month this March, dental hygienists—your partners in prevention—remind everyone of the important link between proper nutrition and oral health. Dental hygienists see first-hand how poor diet and nutrition can affect a person’s oral and overall health. Foods high in sugar, such as candy, sweet baked goods, and carbonated drinks, may contribute to … Read more
Some dental hygienists on P.E.I. will offer a free teeth-cleaning clinic on April 8. The one-day clinic is for those who can’t afford the approximately $120 needed to get their teeth cleaned. The Holland College Dental Assisting program in Charlottetown is offering its space free, while the dental hygienists are giving up their time to work that … Read more
National Dental Hygienists Week™ (NDHW™) takes place from April 8‒14 as part of oral health month in Canada. During that week, which emphasizes “Oral Health for Total Health,” dental hygienists remind us all that taking care of our mouth, teeth, and gums benefits our overall physical and mental well-being. Dental hygienists are primary health care … Read more
On March 20, oral health professionals around the world will celebrate World Oral Health Day (www.worldoralhealthday.com), a global awareness campaign to highlight the prevalence of oral disease and the importance of preventive care for maintaining good oral and overall health across the lifespan. “Oral health is essential to overall physical, social, and mental well-being,” explains … Read more
On March 20, oral health professionals around the world will celebrate World Oral Health Day (www.worldoralhealthday.com), a global awareness campaign to highlight the prevalence of oral disease and the importance of preventive care for maintaining good oral and overall health across the lifespan. “Oral health is essential to overall physical, social, and mental well-being,” explains … Read more
February is Heart Month in Canada and a perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the risks of cardiovascular (heart) disease and stroke and the importance of making better lifestyle choices for optimal health. Dental hygienists are strong supporters of this public education campaign and remind Canadians not to overlook their oral health when seeking to … Read more
In the past few years, the cloud-based dental software was introduced to the dental industry. Many articles and blogs were written to explain this new technology and why dental professionals should consider it for their business. However, most of those articles and blogs were too complex to understand or too vague. This article is written … Read more
“How’s your dog?” “What’s new with the kids?” “Are there any changes in your health history?” These are typical and appropriate questions to ask patients during their recare visit. But there is one question that sometimes isn’t asked that should be the first review when the patient sits in the hygiene chair, and it can … Read more
Regardless of where your office is located or what type of practice you work in, a common factor is Infection Control. Everyone needs a surface disinfectant to keep the workplace clean and safe. Not all surface disinfectants are created equally. Understanding the differences will ensure you make an informed decision. With so many products flooding … Read more
Dental professionals hear a lot of opinions about toothpaste abrasivity. There are misunderstandings about the meaning of relative dentin abrasion (RDA) values and what they convey about the safety of a toothpaste. It can be difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. For example, a common misperception is that a toothpaste with an RDA below 100 … Read more
The question, “paper or plastic” takes on an entirely new meaning when related to instrument sterilization in the dental office. Classified as a medical device, there are stringent criteria for manufacturing of sterilization packaging. Quality sterilization pouches, usually constructed of paper and plastic, are a key component of any sterility assurance protocol. The goal of … Read more
US-based The Pew Research Group has a special unit following oral healthcare. Recently, it released a blog on three issues facing Americans (yes, it translates to us) oral healthcare: affordability, affordability, affordability. Dental care is one of the most unmet healthcare needs in the United States. Lack of insurance coverage and access to providers, even … Read more
The Oral Health Foundation is backing the use of children’s storybooks with dental narratives following a new study which has shown they can be a highly effective way of helping prepare children with autism for a visit to the dentist.1 The research, published in Special Care in Dentistry, found that almost two thirds (64%) of … Read more