Can you regress a patient’s Stage? A stage can only regress under one condition: when surgical intervention eliminates a complexity factor like Class II and III furcations or vertical defects. So, if a patient is a classified as Stage III due to these complexity factors and has them surgically repaired, they can regress to Stage … Read more
Well, it’s been a year. Most of us would agree that the current pandemic is not something we had ever imagined we would live through. What have we learned through this past year? How will our lives, our careers, our relationships benefit from this chapter in our history? Dental hygiene garnered a top spot in … Read more
Ontario has started to roll out its three-phased vaccine distribution implementation plan. Health care professionals have been included in Phase 1 of this plan. For general information, you can view the Ministry of Health webpage Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario or review their guidance tool Ethical framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Each of the province’s 34 Public Health Units are … Read more
In February of 2021, I interviewed Eva Drinkwalter. Working in the dental field had been Eva’s dream for as long as she can remember. Now, 20 years into her career, she is still loving her career choice! Eva spent the first 7 years as a dental assistant before upgrading her education and achieving her qualifications … Read more
According to a national poll conducted by Abacus Data for the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), many Canadians have delayed professional dental hygiene care since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The poll of 2000 adults, conducted between January 15 and 18, revealed that only 4 in 10 Canadians have seen their dental hygienist since March 2020. … Read more
Dental and dental hygiene students and staff remain among the few groups on-site nearly daily at universities and colleges across Canada. Their continued presence on campus and the nature of the dental work itself increases their risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. The Government of Canada is investing approximately $1.4 million through … Read more
Joint research investigates pandemic’s impact on infection control practices in dental health setting; employment rate of dental hygienists Despite having been designated as high risk for COVID-19 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a new study finds 3.1 percent of dental hygienists have had COVID-19 based on data collected in October 2020. This is … Read more
I began my journey into pediatric dental hygiene in 2015, before we were aware of our son’s diagnosis. I had always been drawn to working with children and I quickly found my niche while working in a pediatric clinic in my community. In 2018, three weeks after the birth of our daughter, our then three-year-old … Read more
A smile can open the world, in love, with friends, and at work. But statistics are grim. 48% of young American adults untagged themselves from a photo on Facebook because they were not happy with their smiles. 57% of Americans cover their mouths in embarrassment when they laugh. We’ve come a long way since the … Read more
Still confused about the 2018 AAP Periodontal classification. Never fear! The next few monthly columns will review some of the most important updates made to the industry’s global periodontal guidelines to help hygiene teams achieve the highest level of care. Once we have exhausted this topic we will move onto other questions about the process … Read more
Durham College’s (DC) Dental Hygiene program is slowing down its curriculum during the pandemic. But that’s a good thing. It is necessary so students can catch up on their outstanding clinical hours while ensuring all public health protocols are being followed, said Jennifer Kellett, DC Dental Hygiene Program Coordinator. To view the full story, please … Read more
Join forces with the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) to help us recognize, for the fourth year in a row, dental hygiene health care superheroes in communities across Canada. Championed by your oral health defender CDHA and sponsored by Sensodyne®, the Dental Hygiene Superhero competition which runs from February 1 to May 11, 2021, celebrates … Read more
While viruses might be on everyone’s mind because of the Covid-19 pandemic, let us not forget about other microscopic creatures that can influence our health, namely bacteria. Just the thought of bacteria makes many people cringe due to their associations with unhygienic or unsanitary conditions. However, due to their microscopic nature, it can be difficult … Read more
You are a dental hygienist. You went to school, you graduated, wrote the national board exam, found yourself a job and now you scale likely somewhere between 160 to 256 teeth each day, four days a week or upwards of 60,000 teeth per year. You have been at the same clinic for a few years … Read more
Still confused about the 2018 AAP Periodontal classification? Never fear! The next few monthly columns will review some of the most important updates made to the industry’s global periodontal guidelines to help hygiene teams achieve the highest level of care. Once we have exhausted this topic, we will move onto other questions about the process … Read more
Oral Science, the leading dental company to create optimal and more predictable clinical outcomes for patients suffering from periodontitis, peri-implantitis and caries, is proud to become a Canadian promoter and distributor of the EMS AIRFLOW®, PERIOFLOW® and PIEZON® technologies by supporting dental offices integrating the Guided Biofilm Therapy protocol. (GBT) GBT is the systematic, evidence-based solution … Read more
Many practisting dental hygienists will get their wish this autumn. Dalhousie’s School of Dental Hygiene is offering its Bachelor of Dental Hygiene program on a part-time basis, making it easier for dental hygienists to advance their education while continuing to work. “We’ve known for a while that there are many dental hygienists who would like to study … Read more
Canada’s dental hygienists will mark National Non-Smoking Week (January 17–23) by urging all Canadians to stop tobacco use for better oral and overall health. Tobacco use has long been recognized as a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and lung and oral cancers. But many Canadians may not realize that, because the harmful chemicals in … Read more
Following a thorough executive search process with Odgers Berndtson Executive Search Firm, the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario is pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah Adams, MA, MHSc to the position of Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Deborah brings 25 years of experience working in the delivery and the regulation of healthcare … Read more
Dental hygienists and other regulated health practitioners may be the province’s answer to expanding its capacity to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. The College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta says it’s seeking a ministerial exemption for some hygienists to help administer the COVID-19 vaccine. CEO Amie Dowell said they’re only seeking the exemption for hygienists who are trained … Read more