Dental hygiene instrumentation is a skill initially developed in dental hygiene school but is continuously refined and perfected throughout a dental hygienist’s career. The strategic selection, precise adaptation, and safe, effective use of instruments and ultrasonic tips and inserts is a refined art, polished over years of practice. The importance of maintaining the functional safety … Read more
U.S. hygienists are voicing their concerns on social media after the American Dental Association (ADA) passed resolutions allowing unlicensed practitioners to perform dental hygiene services. Recently, the ADA voted on and passed Resolutions 401, 413, and 514B, which would remove faculty-to-student ratios in dental hygiene programs and allow dental students and foreign-trained dentists to practice … 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 We’ve been noticing increasing inconsistency in care among our team members, especially since the release of the 2018 AAP Periodontal Classification. This issue seems to be exacerbated by the fact that some … Read more
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
In the fast-paced, metrics-driven world of a dental practice, it’s easy to slip into routines that prioritize efficiency over connection. Appointment times are limited, schedules are packed, and every interaction feels like it is reduced to a checkbox: patients need to be treated, dental hygiene protocols followed, and the day must be completed to the … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Heather Wolframe, RDH, HIAOMT. Heather has over 15 years of clinical experience and runs Myofunctional Therapy Thunder Bay where she helps patients thrive in overall health and wellness by assessing and addressing myofunctional concerns. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene … 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
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Rachael aka The Pink Hygienist. Rachael uses her online platform to showcase exciting new dental products and encourage patients to have more fun with their oral hygiene routine. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? I was working … Read more
Introduction The connection between mental health and overall well-being is significant, yet the role of dental visits in this context is often overlooked. Dental hygienists, who spend considerable time with patients, are uniquely positioned to observe changes in behavior, mood, and physical symptoms that could indicate mental health concerns. By incorporating routine mental health screenings … 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
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 senior hygienist on our team, I frequently find myself needing to retreat periodontal therapy due to calculus being left by previous hygienists. My goal is to reduce the need for … Read more
In an age where social media filters and celebrity culture heavily influence beauty standards, a new phenomenon has emerged: smile dysmorphia. This term describes the growing obsession people have with achieving a perfect smile, often driven by unrealistic beauty ideals perpetuated by social media and celebrity trends. This condition is closely linked to body dysmorphic … Read more
In the realm of healthcare, including dentistry, policy decisions have a profound impact on practitioners, patients, and the overall delivery of services. Dental professionals play a crucial role in shaping these policies by actively participating on boards. This article explores the significance of dental professionals’ involvement in policy development and advocacy. The Importance of Board … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Fiona aka “Mouthboxx” a self proclaimed “non-traditional hygienist” who uses her online platform to educate and mentor fellow dental hygienists as they progress in their careers. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? I grew up with an … Read more
Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a promising breakthrough by developing a urine-based test designed to detect head, mouth and neck cancers, particularly those caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). This noninvasive test is still in the discovery phase, but it holds promise for early cancer detection from the comfort of a patient’s home, … Read more
The dental industry, like many healthcare fields, faces the dual challenge of an aging workforce and an increasing demand for services. To ensure a steady supply of skilled professionals, it is imperative to attract young talent to the field. This article explores strategies for engaging and educating high school students and new grads about dental … Read more