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In the last two issues of Oral Hygiene, we revealed the introduction to this topic, Secret #1 and #2. If you missed them, be sure to look back at these articles! SECRET #3: SPECIALIZE. By specializing, you are setting yourself up to be ‘Indispensable in the Dental Practice!’ You are setting yourself up to be … Read more
Did you know dental hygienists are responsible for preventing and treating gum disease? According to the Canadian Dental Association, “7 out of 10 Canadians will develop gum disease at some time in their lives. It is the most common dental problem, and it can progress quite painlessly until you have a real problem.”1 This statistic … Read more
“Leadership is an invisible strand as mysterious as it is powerful… It pulls, and it bonds. It is a catalyst that creates unity out of disorder. Yet, it defies the definition. No combination of talents can guarantee it. No process or training can create it where the spark does not exist. The qualities of leadership … Read more
Q: As a senior hygienist, I have the privilege of mentoring new graduates or new hires to our practice, and the one term I have difficulty explaining is “endpoint” as it pertains to debridement. I question if I fully understand the term myself. Help! A: Einstein would say, “If you can’t explain it simply, you … 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 4–10. The week’s theme is “Oral Health for Total Health,” and it reminds us that taking care of our mouth, teeth, and gums benefits our overall physical and mental well-being … Read more
Our job is to educate our patients regarding their dental needs and provide for their wants. Like any relationship, communication is critical for building understanding. I recall being in dental hygiene school, listening to one of my classmates explain to her patient that he had periodontal disease and needed scaling and root planing. He looked … Read more
“Clueless.” I Confess! That’s Me, When PressedTo Help Reduce, Supress,Arrest Caries Among the AdolescentsAnd Kids of Grenada – a BlessedCountry, Whose People PossessThe Drive to Progress. For Despite the Traumaand the StressOf Having Been OppressedHistorically, they Re-Invest,Welcome All as Guests,Kill with Kindness. And It’s Their Refusal to Acquiesce,Their Protest That ImpressedMe. Made Me Say “Yes”To … Read more
Now in its third year, the prestigious Cellerant Best of Class Hygiene Awards program was created by Cellerant Consulting founder and CEO Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, to honour the standout dental products designed for use during dental hygiene appointments. Chosen by a panel of dental hygiene thought leaders, the awards highlight innovative technologies, materials, and … Read more
Now, more than ever, we keep hearing and reading about how dental hygienists are leaving the profession. New and ever-changing guidelines, critical Quality Assurance programs, and personal burn-out are adding up and causing dental hygienists to explore other career paths. Before you jump ship on a profession you have spent years in school training for … Read more
In the last issue of Oral Hygiene, the introduction to this topic and Secret #1 was revealed. If you missed it, be sure to look back at this article. Secret #2: Be a Leader Being indispensable at a dental practice means taking on a leadership role. A leader is a visionary who motivates and encourages … Read more
Q: How do I stage and grade Necrotizing Periodontal Disease (NPD) and Periodontitis as a Manifestation of Systemic Diseases (PMSD)? A: NPD and PMSD fall under the classification of “Periodontitis” in the new 2018 America Academy of Periodontology (AAP) global classification. (See Table 1.) However, the guidelines don’t recommend staging and grading these types of … Read more
Confession. I eat chocolate every day and I don’t feel guilty. I also don’t make my clients feel guilty about having a sweet tooth. That’s because I know how to decrease the harm from sweets on my teeth and I tell my clients how to do the same. We all have bad habits that we … Read more
Musculoskeletal disorders are unfortunately affecting many dental professionals. A recent systematic review shows the prevalence of general musculoskeletal pain ranging from 64%–93%.⁵ This issue happens as a result of the awkward positions that are held for 6-8 hours during a typical workday. Additionally, there are several other risk factors that come with working in the … Read more
Q: I am an experienced, technically-sound dental hygienist, so why do I have so many periodontitis clients that still have active disease on a three-month maintenance interval? Their plaque control is excellent, there is no detectable subgingival calculus, and I feel I understand endpoint. What am I missing? A: The more experienced you are, the … Read more
Dr. James Younger, the CEO and founder of TempStars – North America’s fastest growing and top-rated dental temping and hiring service, was recently the featured guest on “A Tale of Two Hygienists,” one of the dental industry’s most popular podcasts. The interview with Dr. Younger (available here), who is a practicing dentist, occurred when he was attending … Read more
With the shortage of dental hygienists, some dental professionals are considering encouraging more male dental hygienists to join the field, according to CBC. Currently, it is rare to see a male dental hygienist and Gerald Proctor notices the surprise from many patients when he meets them. “Proctor is a rarity on P.E.I. According to the … Read more
Because of the special relationship that exists between a healthcare provider and a patient, dental practices must be dedicated to the well-being of their patients. The duty of healthcare providers obligates the entire dental office team to treat patients with dignity. Unlike the transactional relationships that may exist in non-healthcare retail sectors, clinicians and team … Read more
A few months ago, a patient of mine sat down and proudly informed me she had “swimmer’s mouth.” It was the first time I had ever heard that term, but having only been practicing dental hygiene for 3 years, I assumed it was something I had perhaps missed while in school. Upon further inquiry, I … Read more
Wikipedia defines neurodiversity, neurodivergence, or neurovariance as “Variations in the human brain and cognition, for instance in sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions.”1 The term was first coined in the 1990’s by sociologist Judy Singer and tended to be used when discussing autism spectrum disorder and attention hyperactivity disorder within the self-advocacy movement. … Read more
Q: Our hygiene team gathers for monthly chart audit meetings to align on patient treatment, but we are debating the correct diagnosis of our last case. Perhaps you can help us settle the debate. A: Great to hear you have monthly chart audit meetings. They are a great way to align and learn. So, let’s … Read more