The pandemic has affected everyone around the world in one way or another, and we’ve all had to make changes to adapt to this new normal. For many of us, staying indoors more and limiting the locations we visit has been part of our efforts to stay safe. But the impact of this is that … Read more
Have you ever said to a client during their dental hygiene appointment, “oh there is just a little bit of bleeding”? Overall, giving the client the impression, this is expected, normal, or really not something to be overly concerned with. ⠀ Throughout my career I have seen communication strategies of active inflammation evolve, and now … Read more
By occupation a dental hygienist, I see myself as the natural link between healthcare in its traditional understanding, and the ever-expanding sector – or industry – of wellness. This link embodies the multiple dimensions and nuances shaping the profile of the dental hygienist and oral healthcare of the future. We are clinicians, healers, healthcare providers, … 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 of … Read more
According to a national poll conducted by Abacus Data for the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), nearly all Canadians believe that oral health care should be included in the new national standards for long-term care. Most Canadians also give the current state of oral care for older adults and seniors a poor rating. The poll … Read more
Professional athletes place as much importance on their rest and recovery as on their performance strategy. Why? Because the time we spend recharging directly impacts our ability to perform and thrive both personally and professionally, as well as cope with stress. With life’s daily demands, it is essential to manage our personal well-being so we … Read more
There are some very important tasks that must get done in a routine dental hygiene appointment. Each of us has our check lists: medical history update, extra oral and intra oral examination, periodontal charting, scaling etc. There is a standard of care for each of these components. We have a limited amount of time to … 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 of … 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 on to other questions about the process … Read more
Loupes or Microscope – Perhaps both? When we try something new, it changes our perspective and allows us to see things differently. When we see things differently, we view things we previously missed, allowing us to experience new possibilities. And this new possibility is the ergonomically designed Infinity VUE loupes by Designs for Vision. I … Read more
It’s important to keep radiation exposure as low as possible while still gathering the needed radiographic evidence. So how low is too low? The first thing that typically comes to mind when discussing imaging and the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation is “ALARA,” an acronym for “As Low as Reasonably Achievable.” This means we … Read more
It would be safe to say, that to become truly remarkable at anything in this life takes a significant amount of effort. It takes routine, commitment, drive, and passion. The above description sounds to me like the makings of an ideal dental client. Someone who is dedicated enough to achieve athletic greatness, could also be … Read more
The “Cs” (or cytokines) are making headline news frequently. The most unfavourable outcomes in COVID-19 patients’ risk profile repeatedly directs our attention to an over-expression of immune response termed a “cytokine storm.” Today’s global research focuses on further understanding the potential role of cytokine storms in dictating the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. The … Read more
Thousands applied, 10 were selected. Ready, set, BAKE! These three unassuming words are hovering over my head as I take part in Season 5 of “The Great Canadian Baking Show!” If you asked me what some of my favourite things are, orthodontics and baking would surely top that list (closely followed by naps, travel and … Read more
Up-and-coming social media platform TikTok has well over 1.29 billion active users who post and view short clips on a plethora of different topics, including dental and oral hygiene. Unfortunately, as trendy and popular as these videos are among Gen-Zers, they are all too often based on a poor understanding of dental science. This means … Read more
Dental practices nationwide are facing shortages in qualified staff, in large part because of the pandemic that’s resulted in more people having second thoughts about their careers. In fact, in a survey published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene, 8% of dental hygienists have left the industry since the onset of the pandemic. While there’s … Read more
Q: If a patient has lost one tooth to periodontitis and there are an additional four teeth treatment planned to be extracted due to periodontitis, do these extractions also count as being lost to periodontitis and potentially increase the patient’s stage? A: Yes. The AAP considered that when the worst affected tooth is lost, severity … Read more
Do probiotics prevent gum disease? Is flossing necessary? Many patients are unable to confidently answer these questions and more due to the abundance of conflicting medical information. However, new research led by the University at Buffalo aims to separate fact from fiction in determining which oral hygiene tools actually prevent gum disease. The paper, published … Read more
When my friend asked what type of toothpaste she should use while pregnant and breastfeeding, I was stumped. All I could say is, “That’s a great question.” This month’s review is from Spotlight Oral Care– a brand that develops products that are clinically proven, toxin-free, and sustainable. And most importantly, this brand was the ideal … Read more
Manual and Ultrasonic instrumentation techniques and guidelines for treatment have changed over the past few decades according technological advancements and theoretical interpretation for the literature. Technological advancements in the areas of ergonomics, metallurgy and cryogenic processing have led dental manufacturers to develop instruments that lessen the incidence of musculoskeletal disorder, increase patient comfort, and permit … Read more