As a profession, dental hygiene is at a tipping point. We are balancing on a scale. On one end, the occupational model of practice, and on the other end, the professional practice model. The past 30 years have been a period of sustained growth for the professional model of practice. Dental hygiene professional practice has … Read more
A recent study from the Oral Health Foundation caught my attention. According to the study, evidence suggests that office workers are the most likely to eat sugary food and drinks as a result of stress – rather than those out of work. As a result, the Oral Health Foundation is calling for ‘stress-free working environments’ … Read more
Having good oral hygiene is crucial for your overall health. But did you know that it can also help prevent erectile dysfunction (ED)? According to an interesting study, there is a link between gum disease and ED, or impotence, in men. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology and was conducted by researchers from the Department of Surgery and … Read more
Elite athletes have high rates of oral disease despite brushing their teeth more frequently than most people, finds a new UCL study. The findings, published in the British Dental Journal, highlight potential for improvement as most of the athletes expressed an interest in changing their oral hygiene behaviour to improve their oral health. The UCL Eastman … Read more
A July 11 article on CNET warns about the potential ill effects that e-cigarette use may have on oral health, particularly among teens. The article is quick to note that many of the studies that have been conducted on the relationship between dental health and e-cigarette use are still preliminary, but the increasingly valid hypothesis is … Read more
THREE hours of computer use each day is enough to put a teenager at risk of poor oral health, a new study has revealed. An examination of more than 1,500 18-year-olds showed those who spend more time on computers are significantly more likely to neglect their oral health. Researchers found those that spent longer on … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) continues to build key partnerships with dental industry leaders to enhance public understanding of the dental hygiene profession and improve the oral health of Canadians. Recognizing the power of these valuable partnerships, CDHA has established the CDHA Partners’ Circle for select dental industry companies who understand and appreciate the … Read more
Dental care and oral hygiene largely remains an undiscussed topic, with few people aware of the risks associated with poor dental hygiene. The National Oral Health Care Programme, which falls under the care of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), stated that despite the fact that several dental diseases have been burdening the country … 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
Want to add some variety to your chairside conversations? Would you like to share cutting edge scientific findings with your patients? Would you like to be seen as a person of influence with a broad knowledge of nutrition and healthy living strategies? “Some patients still see us hygienists as teeth cleaners and aren’t aware of … Read more
Many dental hygienists, including myself, say they entered this profession to assist clients in developing and maintaining healthy beautiful smiles. It is widely accepted that whitening gels play a significant role in developing those beautiful smiles. According to research from EKWA Marketing (2018) Trends in Teeth Whitening: $11 billion is spent yearly on products or … Read more
Toxic biofilm is enemy number one when it comes to dental diseases. It lurks in a patient’s mouth above and below the gum line. It clings to natural teeth, restorative work, gingival tissue and the tongue, implants and orthodontic appliances. It is very challenging to remove or debride all of the biofilm from the oral … Read more
Some people look to YouTube for educational videos and others look for entertainment. When you think of YouTube, what is your first instinct? Have you ever thought that YouTube could make you a better clinician? I write articles from a place of experience and I connect with the written word on an emotional level. This … Read more
The influence of social media in modern society is no secret. It’s safe to say that most of us are consumed by it. But is this necessarily a bad thing when it comes to our professional lives? Or are these platforms providing us the opportunity to learn and connect with our peers? By now, we … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is applauding a move by the Ontario government to expand dental care for low-income seniors in the province. The investment of $90 million will see new services provided as early as summer 2019. “We have been advocating on this initiative for years and are very pleased that Premier Ford … Read more
March is Nutrition Month in Canada and a perfect opportunity to rethink our daily food and beverage choices for improved oral and overall health. Dental hygienists have been telling us for years that the more sugar we eat, the worse off our teeth and body will be. Their efforts are now strongly supported by Canada’s … Read more
As part of oral health month in Canada, National Dental Hygienists Week™ takes place from April 6 to 12. It’s a perfect opportunity to set new goals to help your smile shine. Start with six simple steps: floss, brush, use an antibacterial oral rinse, eat a healthy diet, eliminate tobacco use, and see a dental … Read more
It shouldn’t be up to cities to decide to add fluoride to drinking water, but provincial officials, a Canadian mayor says. Windsor, Ont., is bucking a national trend and looking at lifting its ban on adding fluoride to drinking water after seeing an increase in cavities among children. Community water fluoridation is recommended by public … Read more
Canada’s dental hygienists will mark National Non-Smoking Week (January 20–26) by urging all Canadians to quit smoking and vaping for better oral and overall health. While most people know that tobacco use is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and lung and mouth cancers, few may be aware of the harmful effects of e-cigarettes, … Read more
A new study suggests certain types of consumer behaviors, including flossing, contribute to elevated levels in the body of toxic PFAS chemicals. PFAS are water- and grease-proof substances that have been linked with numerous health problems. The findings provide new insight into how these chemicals end up in people’s bodies and how consumers can limit … Read more