In an era characterized by rapid advancements, one constant remains: the prevalence of oral diseases has reached epidemic levels. According to the World Health Organization’s 2022 Global Oral Health Status Report, untreated oral diseases affect over half of the global population, with the number of cases increasing by one billion over the past three decades. … Read more
Toothio, a Phoenix-based digital staffing marketplace for the dental industry, has raised an additional $5 million in funding to hire dental hygienists, assistants, and office staff for dental offices across the United States. The funding round was led by NVP Capital and Craft Ventures. Rho Capital, Marketplace Capital, Roosh Ventures, Burst Capital, Revere Partners, Karman … Read more
The necessary approvals have been received to implement fee schedule parity for independent dental hygienists early in the new year, Minister of Health Mark Holland said on Oct. 18, according to the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA). “It’s fundamentally unfair that the fee schedule isn’t the same for independent dental hygiene practices as it is … Read more
Despite women representing 97 per cent of dental hygienists and therapists in Canada, they earned, on average, 26 per cent less than men, according to a study published Monday that details imbalances in the dental workforce. The study, published in BMC Health Services Research, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal, indicated that this significant difference was largely … Read more
The partnership between the University of Alberta and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) highlights a collaborative effort to build meaningful connections. Their work reflects a shared commitment to fostering understanding and respect between academic and Indigenous communities. One standout example is a student-led project that began in 2019 to … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) announced in a press release on Wednesday the installation of its new president, Alexandra Sheppard. The decision was made following its annual general meeting on Saturday, Sep. 28. Sheppard, who has built a 31-year career in dental hygiene, has worked in private practice and post-secondary education. She currently holds … Read more
In 2017, on Season 11 of Dragons’ Den, dental hygienist Balbir Sohi unveiled her “Smiles on Wheels” business on national TV. She showcased her refurbished van, equipped with all the tools needed for a mobile hygienist to provide care right in a parking lot. Although she didn’t achieve her goal of launching her own franchise … Read more
We don’t know what we don’t know Society and Community Short-comings In 1998, Canadian media reported that over 69% of all Children’s Aid Society1 children had been abused. In April 2024, Nova Scotia Justice Minister Brad Johns stepped down from cabinet2 after saying he did not believe domestic violence (DV) is an epidemic, even though the province’s … Read more
The battle against periodontal disease is not for the easily shaken. It demands strength, endurance, grit, and grace. As we know, the recent CDC report states that 47.2% of adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease and that this increases to 70% over the age of 65. This discouraging statistic … Read more
FACE (and embrace) THE FACTS! Whether you’re right out of school or you’ve been practising in the trenches for decades, there are some fundamental truths that all hygienists should embrace in our efforts to provide exceptional client care – and some of these facts may surprise you. FACT 1: It’s an equal opportunity condition. Gingival recession … Read more
The Blueprint to OralRisk™ AI Genetics Success! Your dental practice has the potential to be groundbreaking and state-of-the-art, meeting the public’s desire for the best in dental care. Patients want to feel confident that they have made the best choice by selecting your practice. To stay at the forefront of the industry, continual professional development … Read more
Everyone on an airplane has been told by the flight attendant to always secure their oxygen mask before assisting others. So why do we not heed this advice in our daily lives? As regulated healthcare professionals, we care for others all day at work but often put our health and wellness in the backseat. One … Read more
Change for the Better: Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? Challenge As a dental hygienist, I’m finding it harder to provide comprehensive care due to time constraints stemming from my dentist’s actions. Prolonged examination periods during an hour-long appointment, sudden requests for … Read more
Dental hygienists play a pivotal role in fostering oral health. Yet, the challenge lies in the stark contrast between the brief encounters in the dental hygiene operatory and the year-round responsibility patients bear for oral care. This article explores the complexities surrounding the guilt dental hygienists often feel when appointments extend beyond a single appointment … Read more
While a lot of people see hygiene as a top priority, for others, the method of achieving it needs to be convenient enough to actually stick to a hygiene routine. Most of the time, this is in regard to the actual handling of the material and the container in which the said chemical arrives. Now, … Read more
Change for the Better: Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? Challenge: As part of the administrative team, we encounter a notable challenge in the effective transfer of information from clinicians. Our daily workload is often marked by a bustling environment – clients … Read more
Don’t let flawed processes hold your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth. Challenge: As a new hygienist in my current practice, I’m noticing the comprehensive oral exams (COE) for new clients are falling short of provincial fee guide requirements when conducted by some of my colleagues, and … Read more
How many sealants have you placed in your career? Chances are you’re busy drying, etching, and curing sealants every week in addition to educating your patients even more frequently than that. But should you still recommend sealants? And if so, how do you choose which type to use? The good news is the application of … Read more
FACE (and embrace) THE FACTS! Whether you’re right out of dental school or you’ve been practising in the trenches for decades, there are some fundamental truths that all hygienists should embrace in our efforts to provide exceptional client care – and some of these facts may surprise you. FACT 1: Periodontal disease prevalence is higher … Read more
Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? The Challenge: I often find myself in disagreement with my fellow hygienists regarding the stage determination for our periodontitis clients. From my perspective, they may be overestimating the severity of the condition based on their assessments. … Read more