Getting Back to Dental Hygiene During the Pandemic

According to a national poll conducted by Abacus Data for the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), many Canadians have delayed professional dental hygiene care since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The poll of 2000 adults, conducted between January 15 and 18, revealed that only 4 in 10 Canadians have seen their dental hygienist since March 2020. … Read more

Study Examines Occupational Risks Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rates, Transmission Risk, and Immunity in Dental Schools Across Canada

Dental and dental hygiene students and staff remain among the few groups on-site nearly daily at universities and colleges across Canada. Their continued presence on campus and the nature of the dental work itself increases their risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. The Government of Canada is investing approximately $1.4 million through … Read more

Study Finds Low Rate of COVID-19 Among Dental Hygienists in the US

Joint research investigates pandemic’s impact on infection control practices in dental health setting; employment rate of dental hygienists Despite having been designated as high risk for COVID-19 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a new study finds 3.1 percent of dental hygienists have had COVID-19 based on data collected in October 2020. This is … Read more

Considerations for Treating Children with Special Needs in the Clinical Environment

Considerations for Treating Children with Special Needs in the Clinical Environment

I began my journey into pediatric dental hygiene in 2015, before we were aware of our son’s diagnosis. I had always been drawn to working with children and I quickly found my niche while working in a pediatric clinic in my community. In 2018, three weeks after the birth of our daughter, our then three-year-old … Read more

Avoiding Burnout Among Dental Hygienists: How to Achieve the Main Goal for 2021

Dental Hygienists

A smile can open the world, in love, with friends, and at work. But statistics are grim. 48% of young American adults untagged themselves from a photo on Facebook because they were not happy with their smiles. 57% of Americans cover their mouths in embarrassment when they laugh. We’ve come a long way since the … Read more

Technically Speaking: Tips For Implementing the 2018 AAP Classification (Part 2)

Technically Speaking: Tips For Implementing the 2018 AAP Classification (Part 2)

Still confused about the 2018 AAP Periodontal classification. Never fear! The next few monthly columns will review some of the most important updates made to the industry’s global periodontal guidelines to help hygiene teams achieve the highest level of care. Once we have exhausted this topic we will move onto other questions about the process … Read more

Durham College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic Operating, Open for Clients

Durham College’s (DC) Dental Hygiene program is slowing down its curriculum during the pandemic. But that’s a good thing. It is necessary so students can catch up on their outstanding clinical hours while ensuring all public health protocols are being followed, said Jennifer Kellett, DC Dental Hygiene Program Coordinator. To view the full story, please … Read more

Do You Know a Dental Hygiene Superhero?

Join forces with the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) to help us recognize, for the fourth year in a row, dental hygiene health care superheroes in communities across Canada. Championed by your oral health defender CDHA and sponsored by Sensodyne®, the Dental Hygiene Superhero competition which runs from February 1 to May 11, 2021, celebrates … Read more

Plaque Analysis: The Oral Health You Can See

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While viruses might be on everyone’s mind because of the Covid-19 pandemic, let us not forget about other microscopic creatures that can influence our health, namely bacteria. Just the thought of bacteria makes many people cringe due to their associations with unhygienic or unsanitary conditions. However, due to their microscopic nature, it can be difficult … Read more

Igniting That Spark For Your Hygiene Career Once Again

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You are a dental hygienist. You went to school, you graduated, wrote the national board exam, found yourself a job and now you scale likely somewhere between 160 to 256 teeth each day, four days a week or upwards of 60,000 teeth per year. You have been at the same clinic for a few years … Read more

Technically Speaking: Tips For Implementing the 2018 AAP Periodontal Classification (Part 1)

AAP Periodontal Classification

Still confused about the 2018 AAP Periodontal classification? Never fear! The next few monthly columns will review some of the most important updates made to the industry’s global periodontal guidelines to help hygiene teams achieve the highest level of care. Once we have exhausted this topic, we will move onto other questions about the process … Read more

Oral Science & EMS Guided Biofilm Therapy; A New Canadian Partnership for the AIRFLOW®, PERIOFLOW® and PIEZON®

Oral Science, the leading dental company to create optimal and more predictable clinical outcomes for patients suffering from periodontitis, peri-implantitis and caries, is proud to become a  Canadian promoter and distributor of the EMS AIRFLOW®, PERIOFLOW® and PIEZON® technologies by supporting dental offices integrating the Guided Biofilm Therapy protocol. (GBT) GBT is the systematic, evidence-based solution … Read more

Faculty of Dentistry Offers New Part-Time Bachelor of Dental Hygiene

Many practisting dental hygienists will get their wish this autumn. Dalhousie’s School of Dental Hygiene is offering its Bachelor of Dental Hygiene program on a part-time basis, making it easier for dental hygienists to advance their education while continuing to work. “We’ve known for a while that there are many dental hygienists who would like to study … Read more

Family Docs, Dental Hygienists Push for Role in Alberta Vaccine Rollout

Some Alberta family doctors say they’re frustrated their offer to help administer COVID-19 shots have gone unanswered. Dr. Noel Grisdale, who has a practice in Black Diamond, says he’s among many family physicians eager to aid Alberta’s vaccine distribution program. “The frustration from family doctors I’m hearing is that there’s no mention of talking to … Read more

Dental Hygienists Urge Canadians to Say No to Tobacco

Canada’s dental hygienists will mark National Non-Smoking Week (January 17–23) by urging all Canadians to stop tobacco use for better oral and overall health. Tobacco use has long been recognized as a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and lung and oral cancers. But many Canadians may not realize that, because the harmful chemicals in … Read more

Announcement – CDHO Registrar/CEO

Following a thorough executive search process with Odgers Berndtson Executive Search Firm, the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario is pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah Adams, MA, MHSc to the position of Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Deborah brings 25 years of experience working in the delivery and the regulation of healthcare … Read more

Dental Hygienists Could Be Deployed to Give Albertans COVID-19 Vaccine Jab

Dental hygienists and other regulated health practitioners may be the province’s answer to expanding its capacity to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. The College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta says it’s seeking a ministerial exemption for some hygienists to help administer the COVID-19 vaccine. CEO Amie Dowell said they’re only seeking the exemption for hygienists who are trained … Read more

Signs You’re Working With A Good Dental Hygienist

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What do you think makes for a good dental hygienist? If you are one or are planning to become one, what qualities should you possess? If you’re a dentist looking to partner with a dental hygienist, how will you know if you found the right one? As a dentist, you know that dental hygienists work … Read more

Implementing the 2018 Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases into Your Practice

Periodontology Classifications

By now you would have seen or heard of the new classification of periodontal and peri-implant diseases, which replaced the previous (1999) classification system and addressed most of its limitations. Research indicates that 80% of North American adults have some form of periodontal disease, while evidence also indicates that there is a link between oral … Read more