Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month we are showcasing Kellie Watson and her extraordinary work in Saskatchewan’s oral health community. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? I have always had a passion for health and wellness, and I love helping people. As a child, I looked … 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 part of the administrative team, we encounter a notable challenge in the effective transfer of information from clinicians. Our daily workload is often marked by a bustling environment – clients … Read more
In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, the relentless pursuit of perfection can be all-consuming. As a healthcare professional myself, I’ve often found that the desire to be flawless is deeply ingrained in our work. Let’s be real – healthcare, by its very nature, is complex and dynamic. Despite our unwavering dedication and meticulous approach, patients … 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
Don’t let flawed processes hold your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth. Challenge: As a new hygienist in my current practice, I’m noticing the comprehensive oral exams (COE) for new clients are falling short of provincial fee guide requirements when conducted by some of my colleagues, and … Read more
How many sealants have you placed in your career? Chances are you’re busy drying, etching, and curing sealants every week in addition to educating your patients even more frequently than that. But should you still recommend sealants? And if so, how do you choose which type to use? The good news is the application of … Read more
FACE (and embrace) THE FACTS! Whether you’re right out of dental 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: Periodontal disease prevalence is higher … Read more
Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? The Challenge: I often find myself in disagreement with my fellow hygienists regarding the stage determination for our periodontitis clients. From my perspective, they may be overestimating the severity of the condition based on their assessments. … Read more
While more details have been revealed regarding the roll-out of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, many provinces have continued to voice their concerns about how the new program will work alongside the existing provincial programs. The CBC reported that P.E.I will begin using the federal program as a first resort and while their provincial program … Read more
Introduction In the labyrinth of healthcare, a concerning shift has begun to surface – a shift from the noble pursuit of quality care to a relentless focus on quantity in the name of business. As practitioners, advocates, and consumers of healthcare, we must critically examine this trajectory, for it threatens to undermine the very essence … Read more
VideaHealth announced the results of new research which found more than 90 percent of consumers surveyed agree that untreated oral issues, such as cavities and unhealthy gums, directly impact overall physical health and risk of disease, suggesting that public health campaigns designed to raise awareness of the long-term impact of oral disease on overall health … Read more
Dental care that takes a holistic approach takes into account the interconnected nature of the patient’s mouth, body, and mind. The utilization of natural materials, the implementation of preventative practices, and the identification and treatment of the factors that underlie oral health issues are emphasized. Experience holistic dental care for improved health and well-being. The … Read more
Maintaining good posture is a fundamental aspect of self-care for individuals dealing with Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders, as well as for healthcare professionals and the general population to avoid TMJ-related concerns. Poor posture can aggravate TMJ pain by putting additional strain on the neck, shoulders, and jaw. We will delve deeper into the importance of … Read more
Post-COVID dental events are officially back and better than ever! As an event owner, I understand the significant value in-person and virtual events provide for our industry. Dental events help announce new products, educate on new technology, provide valuable hands-on experience, and – my favourite – they help us build our valuable professional networks! It … Read more
As an OMF surgeon, my patients often ask for liquid medications due to difficulty swallowing large pills. There is now a product on the market that allows my patients to take their vitamins via toothpaste, though antibiotics have yet to find a way into toothpaste. But wait, can you really get a significant amount of vitamins … Read more
In a profession dedicated to maintaining the brightest of smiles, a stark trend has emerged that is casting a shadow on the field of dental hygiene. Numerous dental hygienists are resigning from dental practices that they have worked at for years. The cause behind this surge in resignations are multifaceted, and in this article, we … Read more
I recall feeling thrilled after discussing a program that raises awareness about hearing loss. Seeing that a company was willing to provide closed captioning for the course was heartening. I had hoped that more companies would follow suit as awareness about hearing loss grows, but unfortunately, that has not been the case. I still have … Read more
Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? The challenge: As a new graduate I am having a hard time integrating the techniques and standards I learned in school into our practice, particularly with some resistance from more senior hygienists. The solution: Navigating differences … Read more
Delta Dental released new research on oral health care during the COVID-19 pandemic that shows a “significant decrease in the provision of preventive oral health care services when compared to pre-pandemic levels.” These results are concerning across all age groups and could result in long-term negative effects on oral health. For example, the study found … Read more
TranscenDental Group at Waverley Road became what is believed to be the first wheelchair-accessible dental clinic in Nova Scotia, reports Global News. The clinic now has a lift to transfer patients to the dental chair, whereas before patients had to go through the process of sliding from their wheelchair into the chair, getting work done … Read more