By now you would have seen or heard of the new classification of periodontal and peri-implant diseases, which replaced the previous (1999) classification system and addressed most of its limitations. Research indicates that 80% of North American adults have some form of periodontal disease, while evidence also indicates that there is a link between oral … Read more
As we try and get used to our new normal, we need to look for ways to make our days run more smoothly and more efficiently. We need to implement processes to make our days run a little easier in the midst of so much emotion, frustration and fatigue. Figuring out a way to try … Read more
As a clinical dental hygienist for 30+ years, it pains me to say this, but exceptional hygiene departments are not the norm in the dental industry. What do I mean by exceptional? I mean utilizing “best practices” in the treatment of periodontal disease resulting in optimized client outcomes (less than or equal to 3mm PD … Read more
The hygienist plays such an integral role in the overall success of our relationship with our patients. From the work we provide directly with the patient, to the role we as hygienists play in passing the baton of goodwill to our doctors or business team members, how we execute each step of our hygiene appointments … Read more
Welcome back to part three of my article series, where did we leave off? In 2019, I shared the first steps that should be considered when opening a practice, a little sneak peek into the world of @Toothlife.Irene and the vision of my dream dental practice and studio. As a dental hygienist in the beaches … Read more
An Updated Look at Options for Setting Our Patients at Ease Two of the main culprits that prevent our patients from seeking care are fear and anxiety. Dentophobia (or odontophobia) is defined as “the extreme fear of going to the dentist”.1 True phobias, stronger versions of the common fear, require different and sometimes more intensive … Read more
I had virtual coffee with my former classmate last week. We’ve been having coffee nearly every month since we graduated from dental hygiene school together in 2007. We chat about dental hygiene, what’s new in our offices, cool things we’ve read, the weather, politics, the most recent Zara sales, and let’s face it, Facebook group … Read more
In Combining Botanical Foam with the Latest in LED Innovation, PhotoDynamic is Poised to Revolutionize Home-Based Oral Hygiene for Ortho Patients Moving from research and development to an operationalized business is a milestone for any company but in the case of PhotoDynamic – a small, Halifax, NS-based firm – bringing its Phyto-Light device and foam … Read more
The College has revised the CDHO Guidance on Returning to Dental Hygiene Practice to include references to: its new documents CDHO Guidance on the Extended Use of N95 Respirators/Masks During a Supply Shortage and CDHO Guidance on the Use of Isolation Gowns the Public Health Ontario document COVID-19 in Dental Care Settings for fallow time considerations. To view the full update, please … Read more
Health care has long been regarded as a source of pride for many Canadians. The fact that most of us share the same language as residents of the United States has led to many social media threads where Canadians joyfully point out the benefits of a universal system. In recent years, there have been hints … Read more
The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, a leading health services research group based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has published a paper in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open evaluating the effectiveness of its Mouth Care Without a Battle staff training program. After participating in the study for … Read more
Did you know that acronyms are actually very modern inventions? They were found to be in existence around World War 1, but were still not used very much until World War 2. The word “acronym” did not even come into play until 1943 because they simply were not used in daily life like they are … Read more
Amid our present-day pandemic, the disease of oral and oropharyngeal cancer once again has a much larger adversary. April has come and gone with very little focus on it being Oral Cancer Awareness Month. All attention understandably has been on the COVID-19 pandemic. However, globally, the picture of oral and oropharyngeal cancer is very troubling. … Read more
It was in March of 2019 that my daughter was diagnosed with autism at a support level 3, just before her 3rd birthday. This means that she requires substantial support in order to get through her day. Since then, I have spent endless hours reading articles, books and anything that would allow me to better … Read more
Dentistry is a very socially interactive profession. COVID-19 has changed our abilities to interact completely. Never in our wildest dreams would any of us ever predicted to be in this circumstance today. It would be impossible to predict exactly how this will impact dentistry, but one thing we know for sure is that it will … Read more
Many of us only think of getting fit and healthy to look good for college reunions or to rebound after the failure of a relationship (the proverbial “revenge body”). It’s beyond just looking good; it’s about creating a body that can help you weather a financial storm, an emotional storm or even survive a pandemic. … Read more
Catherine Wilson was a British serial killer who was hanged for one murder, but was generally thought at the time to have committed six others. She worked as a nurse and poisoned her victims after encouraging them to leave her money in their wills. She was described privately by the sentencing judge as “the greatest … Read more
WE WILL BE PRESENTING OUR MAY ISSUE OF ORAL HYGIENE EXCLUSIVELY ON OUR WEBSITE! At a time of challenge, having the right information and inspiration is more vital than ever! As always, we are committed to bringing Canada’s dental hygienists the best editorial content, designed to help you hone clinical skills, introduce new products and … Read more
When treating an individual with autism, having an in-depth talk with the client or client’s caregiver prior to the appointment is crucial to having a successful appointment. Autistic individuals often have sensory issues so knowing what they are is so important as to not overwhelm the client during the appointment. Questions such as: Is the … Read more
As I’m writing this editorial, it happens to be the 10th #BellLetsTalk day. The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is honouring Bell Canada for its visionary leadership on mental health and is urging everyone across Canada to join this game-changing and important annual conversation. Over the past decade, Bell Let’s Talk has made major … Read more