The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is thrilled to announce the launch of www.dentalhygienecanada.ca— a website containing a wealth of information for the general public about dental hygiene and oral health. The site features oral health facts and FAQs, information sheets and other resources, as well as a children’s educational area with lots of fun … Read more
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association and Henry Schein again partner together to showcase the latest technologies and advancements in dental hygiene at the profession’s largest gathering in the U.S. On June 19, 2015, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), in partnership with Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world’s largest provider of health care products … Read more
This (shocking) statistic was recently released by the US CDC. How does this level of under-treatment compare to untreated diabetes or hypertension, 2 other prevalent chronic conditions in America? A study published in 2011 found that 2.4% of American diabetics were untreated. A study published in Hypertension in 1995 reported that about 30% of American … Read more
Andre Picard, the Globe’s healthcare columnist, recently wrote an article on the aging population’s impact on overall Canadian healthcare. But what about the impact of the aging Boomers on the dental care system? Many of you will already know — the older the patient, the less likely they are regular attenders and the more likely … Read more
Have you been following what Tesla (Elon Musk) is doing to electricity markets with its new Powerwall battery for your garage? This new technology promises to disrupt the source, distribution and use of electrical power and give the household new options as both a consumer and a supplier of electricity. It redefines what we know … Read more
Andre Picard, the Globe’s healthcare columnist, recently wrote an article on the aging population’s impact on overall Canadian healthcare. But what about the impact of the aging Boomers on the dental care system? Many of you will already know — the older the patient, the less likely they are regular attenders and the more likely … Read more
The ADHA agrees that the outcomes found in a newly released NCHS report underscore the need to increase and improve preventive measures to reduce incidence of dental caries. A recently released National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data brief details the results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012. The NHANES survey … Read more
A new study reports that gum disease is an independent risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at mid life. The study showed those adults between 40 and 60 years of age suffering from periodontal disease, had double the risk of AMD compared to healthy controls. This risk accounted for confounding factors such as hypertension, … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is pleased to see that the 2015 Spring Reports of the Auditor General of Canada focus on the critical issue of access to health services and medical transportation for remote First Nations communities. This matter is close to the heart of dental hygienists, who have been working for some … Read more
Continued use of community water fluoridation aligns directly with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s mission to help improve the public’s oral and overall health. Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the final Public Health Service (PHS) recommendation for the optimal fluoride level in drinking water to prevent tooth decay. … Read more
The needs and wants of Canadian employers for healthcare benefits are surely changing. Now, it is all about managing chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and obesity. The days of offering a simple drug plan so that employees could take pills for these ongoing problems are long gone. Employers and their insurers are getting … Read more
Attached are 2 photos of our recent annual trip in January 2015 to Quesada, Guatemala. This is part of an official Canadian charity (12+ yrs going) called Health Outreach (founded by Dr. Tim Lee, Mississauga), where the volunteers (dentists and support personnel), provide free dental work to needy children. In our 6 days of work, … Read more
April is Oral Health Month in Canada, and an important part of the celebration is National Dental Hygienists Week™ (NDHW™), which takes place from April 5–11. Sponsored by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), a national organization representing more than 26,800 dental hygienists across the country, NDHW™ is a perfect opportunity to take up the … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) applauds the federal government for its $32 million investment in services to address mental health issues, chronic disease, and children’s oral health in Nunavut. This funding aims to improve access to care and reduce reliance on out-of-territory medical travel. CDHA and its members have been actively involved in oral … Read more
A recent NY Times article reported that, in an experiment, Parkinson’s patients said an expensive version of a drug worked better than the cheap version of that same drug. Does the same principle apply to hygiene services? Would patients rate an expensive cleaning more thorough and effective than a cheap cleaning? Perhaps or perhaps not, … Read more
This statement comes from a Canadian dentist who admits he feels uncomfortable communicating with his patients about their oral health prospects. He blames his dental school training for his singular focus on the teeth. And no doubt there is also blame directed to the insurance companies who prefer to pay for surgery rather than prevention … Read more
On March 8, dental hygienists across Canada will join in the worldwide celebration of International Women’s Day. First established in 1911, this annual event commemorates women’s achievements while continuing the call for full gender equality in all facets of life. In Canada, this year’s International Women’s Day activities will highlight the important role of women … Read more
Recently, I received a petition by nurses and hygienists which argued for OHIP payment for hygiene services. It seems the petition was started by nurses who were frustrated with the growing demands of ER patients experiencing dental problems. So, what are the chances that OHIP or any medical system will pay for regular hygiene care? … Read more
As active supporters of World Cancer Day (February 4), Canada’s dental hygienists remind us that early detection is key to improving treatment outcomes for oral cancer. World Cancer Day unites the global population in the fight against cancer, which claims 8.2 million lives worldwide every year. This year’s campaign, under the theme “Not Beyond Us,” … Read more
In celebration of Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, Registered dental hygienists across Canada are opening their doors and their hearts on Saturday, February 7, to provide no-cost preventive dental hygiene services, including oral cancer screenings, as part of a national campaign. For the seventh consecutive year, the “Gift from the Heart” event gives dental hygienists … Read more