Dental hygienists raised concerns that adding the PST to health insurance premiums will reduce access to dental care in Saskatchewan at a meeting with MLAs in Regina on Monday. The Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists Association organized the meeting to enlighten MLAs on the rate of oral disease in the province. Association executive director Kellie Watson said the … Read more
National Dental Hygienists Week™ (NDHW™) takes place from April 8‒14 as part of oral health month in Canada. During that week, which emphasizes “Oral Health for Total Health,” dental hygienists remind us all that taking care of our mouth, teeth, and gums benefits our overall physical and mental well-being. Dental hygienists are primary health care … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) supports the federal government’s enhanced investments in the Territorial Health Investment Fund, as outlined in Budget 2017. This funding will improve access to health services in the territories—including children’s oral health services—and will reduce reliance on medical transport outside the region for treatment. A total of $108 million will … Read more
During National Nutrition Month this March, dental hygienists—your partners in prevention—remind everyone of the important link between proper nutrition and oral health. Dental hygienists see first-hand how poor diet and nutrition can affect a person’s oral and overall health. Foods high in sugar, such as candy, sweet baked goods, and carbonated drinks, may contribute to … Read more
Some dental hygienists on P.E.I. will offer a free teeth-cleaning clinic on April 8. The one-day clinic is for those who can’t afford the approximately $120 needed to get their teeth cleaned. The Holland College Dental Assisting program in Charlottetown is offering its space free, while the dental hygienists are giving up their time to work that … Read more
Findings from the first comprehensive study on the oral health of a population in transition from a foraging, wild-food diet to an agriculture-based diet indicate that oral health is affected not just by diet, but also by gender and behavior differences between men and women. Peter Ungar, Distinguished Professor of anthropology at the University of … Read more
National Dental Hygienists Week™ (NDHW™) takes place from April 8‒14 as part of oral health month in Canada. During that week, which emphasizes “Oral Health for Total Health,” dental hygienists remind us all that taking care of our mouth, teeth, and gums benefits our overall physical and mental well-being. Dental hygienists are primary health care … Read more
On March 20, oral health professionals around the world will celebrate World Oral Health Day (www.worldoralhealthday.com), a global awareness campaign to highlight the prevalence of oral disease and the importance of preventive care for maintaining good oral and overall health across the lifespan. “Oral health is essential to overall physical, social, and mental well-being,” explains … Read more
On March 20, oral health professionals around the world will celebrate World Oral Health Day (www.worldoralhealthday.com), a global awareness campaign to highlight the prevalence of oral disease and the importance of preventive care for maintaining good oral and overall health across the lifespan. “Oral health is essential to overall physical, social, and mental well-being,” explains … Read more
A tailored preventive oral health intervention significantly improved the cleanliness of teeth and dentures among elderly home care clients. In addition, functional ability and cognitive function were strongly associated with better oral hygiene, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. The study is part of a larger intervention study, NutOrMed, and … Read more
February is Heart Month in Canada and a perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the risks of cardiovascular (heart) disease and stroke and the importance of making better lifestyle choices for optimal health. Dental hygienists are strong supporters of this public education campaign and remind Canadians not to overlook their oral health when seeking to … Read more
In the past few years, the cloud-based dental software was introduced to the dental industry. Many articles and blogs were written to explain this new technology and why dental professionals should consider it for their business. However, most of those articles and blogs were too complex to understand or too vague. This article is written … Read more
“How’s your dog?” “What’s new with the kids?” “Are there any changes in your health history?” These are typical and appropriate questions to ask patients during their recare visit. But there is one question that sometimes isn’t asked that should be the first review when the patient sits in the hygiene chair, and it can … Read more
Regardless of where your office is located or what type of practice you work in, a common factor is Infection Control. Everyone needs a surface disinfectant to keep the workplace clean and safe. Not all surface disinfectants are created equally. Understanding the differences will ensure you make an informed decision. With so many products flooding … Read more
Dental professionals hear a lot of opinions about toothpaste abrasivity. There are misunderstandings about the meaning of relative dentin abrasion (RDA) values and what they convey about the safety of a toothpaste. It can be difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. For example, a common misperception is that a toothpaste with an RDA below 100 … Read more
The question, “paper or plastic” takes on an entirely new meaning when related to instrument sterilization in the dental office. Classified as a medical device, there are stringent criteria for manufacturing of sterilization packaging. Quality sterilization pouches, usually constructed of paper and plastic, are a key component of any sterility assurance protocol. The goal of … Read more
US-based The Pew Research Group has a special unit following oral healthcare. Recently, it released a blog on three issues facing Americans (yes, it translates to us) oral healthcare: affordability, affordability, affordability. Dental care is one of the most unmet healthcare needs in the United States. Lack of insurance coverage and access to providers, even … Read more
The Oral Health Foundation is backing the use of children’s storybooks with dental narratives following a new study which has shown they can be a highly effective way of helping prepare children with autism for a visit to the dentist.1 The research, published in Special Care in Dentistry, found that almost two thirds (64%) of … Read more
Studies have shown problems with oral health are strong co-indicators of other serious diseases including diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. In 2009, the cost associated with the treatment of periodontal disease was shown be second only to cardiovascular disease in Canada. A team of researchers at Wilfrid Laurier University, alongside researchers from McMaster and the … Read more
Research shows that smoking can damage every part of the body, including the mouth, causing life-threatening cancers and chronic diseases. During National Non-Smoking Week (January 15‒21), dental hygienists across Canada remind us all of the need to eliminate tobacco use for better oral and overall health. Dental hygienists are skilled in health promotion, disease detection, … Read more