The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is calling for equal treatment for hygienists working in a dental office versus a private hygiene clinic. The fee guide for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) shows that reimbursement rates for private hygienists is significantly less than for hygiene services completed in a dentist’s office, demonstrating a double … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month we are showcasing Sonya Dunbar, the face behind the Geriatric Toothfairy brand. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? When I was a child, I loved to see people smile. I would smile at people and wait for them to … Read more
Dental hygienists and therapists may be given new powers to help with the growing dental crisis in Britain. These powers include being able to administer medicine without getting the approval of a dentist first. If this plan is approved, it would free up a lot of time for dentists to focus on other essential services. … 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
As of October 8, 2020, dental hygienists in Ontario can legally treat their spouses as defined by law. Pursuant to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (the “RHPA“), a regulated health professional in Ontario who engages in simultaneous therapeutic and sexual relationships with an individual is guilty of having committed “sexual abuse” of a patient. Moreover, a … Read more
Whether you’re a dentist, dental hygienist or assistant, you work in a fabulous profession! Dental professionals take care of people for a living, our industry is relatively recession-proof and the dental field enjoys a well-deserved prestige. While clinical practice can be very rewarding, it can also take a physical toll on our bodies with the … Read more
As you are all very aware, dental hygienists are educated health professionals who specialize in the promotion of oral health and the prevention of oral diseases. But in the grand scheme of things, you are so much more than that. You are a trusted resource provider. You’re an educator. You’re a professional. You’re more than … Read more
Historical thinking about the role of the dental hygienist as a member of the health care team is that their purpose is primarily auxiliary or clinical.1 However, a paradigm shift in the profession has been in process for several years.2 The shift in dental hygiene emphasizes the roles of educator and health promotor as primary … Read more
In the world of dental hygiene, we commonly refer to routine follow up exams with patients as ‘recall’ appointments. More appropriately, these can be considered re-care exams, as our patients aren’t recalled per se, rather compassionately re-cared for through the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of their oral health. Re-care exams play a very important role … Read more
Forget trying to lose weight for the next selfie on Instagram – get healthy and fit to boost productivity and mental clarity. You see being physically fit has major physiological benefits that go far beyond fitting into your skinny jeans. Exercise scientists have demonstrated that a fit body supports boundless energy, a more robust immune … Read more
As dental hygienists across Canada, we are united and bonded by one major, collective fear: The Continuing Competence, Quality Assurance auditing process. The mere mention of the term elicits a sequence of events including, but not limited to, sweating, blurred vision, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and a sense of overall dread. For many … Read more
Ivividly remember my interview, first job and very first day. I thought outside of the box to secure my first job. Writing my resume was a challenge being a new graduate without any dental experience. Unlike some of my 2007 graduates, I wasn’t a dental assistant first, and aside from having a dentist of my … Read more
The dental patients we once knew are a thing of the past – much like your old flip phone. Today’s patients are tech savvy, well educated and likely to have researched all of their symptoms and dental treatments prior to arriving in your chair. In today’s competitive landscape, dental care professionals need to inform and … Read more
Perhaps you’re fresh out of school, looking for your first position as a hygienist. Or maybe you have been working as a hygienist for many years and are looking to move to a new practice (or multiple practices). Or, perhaps the dentist you have been working with has just asked you to sign a very … Read more
As a practicing dental hygienist, I focused on the delivery of patient-centred care, avoided the financial and operational aspects of a dental practice, and had no need for business acumen. Over time working in dental clinics, my interests and horizons expanded, and I became more and more fascinated by the economic underpinnings of an oral … Read more
Ashley McCarthy’s workday often starts at a Calgary-area school, but she’s not a teacher. She’s one of an increasing number of dental hygienists who have opened up their own businesses, taking advantage of recent changes in provincial regulations. Alberta bylaws allow dental hygienists to work outside of a traditional dental office, without the direct supervision … Read more
Paradise Dental Technologies (PDT Inc.) has released the latest innovation in implant hygiene and maintenance for full fixed implant restorations, The Pineyro Arch Kit. Designed with Dr. Alfonso Piñeyro, DDS, it is the first instrument set of its kind specifically designed for the implant debridement of full fixed implant restorations. The Pineyro Arch Kit allows … 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
Your three-pound brain is the CEO of your whole body’s operation. It’s the playmaker, manager and overseer. It keeps 2000 gallons of blood surging through your heart each day and throughout 63,000 miles of blood vessels. It has you place one foot in front of the other as you walk from patient to patient and … Read more
Have you ever experienced listening to a grandparent, a parent or a spouse snoring so loud you couldn’t sleep? No matter how hard you tried to ignore it, that’s all you could focus on. Then suddenly, sweet silence! You breathe a sigh of relief because they stopped! However, the only thing that stopped was their … Read more