As a clinical dental hygienist for 30+ years, it pains me to say this, but exceptional hygiene departments are not the norm in the dental industry. What do I mean by exceptional? I mean utilizing “best practices” in the treatment of periodontal disease resulting in optimized client outcomes (less than or equal to 3mm PD … Read more
The hygienist plays such an integral role in the overall success of our relationship with our patients. From the work we provide directly with the patient, to the role we as hygienists play in passing the baton of goodwill to our doctors or business team members, how we execute each step of our hygiene appointments … Read more
Welcome back to part three of my article series, where did we leave off? In 2019, I shared the first steps that should be considered when opening a practice, a little sneak peek into the world of @Toothlife.Irene and the vision of my dream dental practice and studio. As a dental hygienist in the beaches … Read more
An Updated Look at Options for Setting Our Patients at Ease Two of the main culprits that prevent our patients from seeking care are fear and anxiety. Dentophobia (or odontophobia) is defined as “the extreme fear of going to the dentist”.1 True phobias, stronger versions of the common fear, require different and sometimes more intensive … Read more
I had virtual coffee with my former classmate last week. We’ve been having coffee nearly every month since we graduated from dental hygiene school together in 2007. We chat about dental hygiene, what’s new in our offices, cool things we’ve read, the weather, politics, the most recent Zara sales, and let’s face it, Facebook group … Read more
The CNC dental hygiene class of 2020 has outperformed the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Examination’s nationwide average while maintaining the program’s 100 per cent pass rate. The exam tests competencies in eight areas including responsibility and accountability, client and professional relationships, health and safety and practice management, foundational knowledge, assessment and diagnosis, planning, implementation, … Read more
As of October 8, 2020, dental hygienists in Ontario can legally treat their spouses as defined by law. Pursuant to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (the “RHPA“), a regulated health professional in Ontario who engages in simultaneous therapeutic and sexual relationships with an individual is guilty of having committed “sexual abuse” of a patient. Moreover, a … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is pleased to announce the installation of its new president, Tiffany Ludwicki, at its virtual annual general meeting on Saturday, October 3. Tiffany is from Newfoundland and Labrador and joins president-elect Wendy Stewart (Nova Scotia), past president Leanne Huvenaars (Saskatchewan), and directors Rae McFarlane (British Columbia), Alexandra Sheppard (Alberta), … Read more
VOICE-CONTROLLED PERIO CHARTING HEADSET & SOFTWARE THAT WILL INCREASE YOUR PATIENTS ENGAGEMENT AND YOUR OFFICE R.O.I.! Oral Science is proud to launch VoiceWorks, a voice-controlled perio charting headset and software that will increase your patients engagement and your office R.O.I! VoiceWorks, from Florida Probe, combines a lightweight wireless headset and voice-activated periodontal charting software. It … Read more
In Combining Botanical Foam with the Latest in LED Innovation, PhotoDynamic is Poised to Revolutionize Home-Based Oral Hygiene for Ortho Patients Moving from research and development to an operationalized business is a milestone for any company but in the case of PhotoDynamic – a small, Halifax, NS-based firm – bringing its Phyto-Light device and foam … Read more
The College has revised the CDHO Guidance on Returning to Dental Hygiene Practice to include references to: its new documents CDHO Guidance on the Extended Use of N95 Respirators/Masks During a Supply Shortage and CDHO Guidance on the Use of Isolation Gowns the Public Health Ontario document COVID-19 in Dental Care Settings for fallow time considerations. To view the full update, please … Read more
On August 3, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised that “routine non-essential oral health care—which usually includes oral health check-ups, dental cleanings and preventive care—be delayed until there has been sufficient reduction in COVID-19 transmission rates from community transmission to cluster cases or according to official recommendations at national, sub-national or local level.”1 Canadian oral … Read more
When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, all of Haida Gwaii’s three dentists were away at a dental conference, leaving one hygienist to deal with any dental emergencies. The situation forced Natasha Kellett, the only dental hygienist still working on the chain of islands off B.C.’s North Coast, to brainstorm with other health-care professionals to come up with a plan … Read more
Health care has long been regarded as a source of pride for many Canadians. The fact that most of us share the same language as residents of the United States has led to many social media threads where Canadians joyfully point out the benefits of a universal system. In recent years, there have been hints … Read more
From an impressive field of 755 deserving nominees from across Canada, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is thrilled to reveal the winner of its third annual Dental Hygiene Superhero Competition. This remarkable field of nominees was narrowed to 20 finalists and evaluated by a panel of judges who selected Lisa Enns of Richmond, British … Read more
The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, a leading health services research group based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has published a paper in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open evaluating the effectiveness of its Mouth Care Without a Battle staff training program. After participating in the study for … Read more
As we navigate these challenging times, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is deeply appreciative of the amazing dedication and commitment of our new and long-time dental industry partners. CDHA is grateful for these professional partnerships, which yield so many benefits for our members. “These strategic relationships are invaluable in advancing the dental hygiene profession … Read more
As many shuttered dental clinics are preparing to reopen, a rift is growing in the industry over proper protocols to keep patients and staff safe — with one Ontario dental hygienist calling clinics a “ticking time bomb” for creating new COVID-19 cases. After shutting down for all appointments except emergency services in mid-March, clinic owners … Read more
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to dental hygienists who are planning for the return to practice. This document outlines the conditions under which dental hygiene care may be provided. Dental hygienists who are unable to meet these conditions must not return to practice. Guiding Principles Oral healthcare providers must follow directives … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) has developed the following interim guidance for dental hygienists considering a return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. CDHA’s best practice recommendations are based, first and foremost, on ensuring safety for dental hygienists, their clients, team members, families, and communities. Because the scientific evidence guiding COVID-19 decision making continues … Read more