Collaborative Health Care in Canada

Introduction

Norfolk Dental Hygiene recognizes the need for collaboration amongst health care professionals currently and moving into the future. With the Canadian government looking to rebrand Canada as an innovation nation, healthcare professionals will have to work together to create a patient centred approach to overall health.

In 2015, $219 Billion dollars was spent on healthcare in Canada. That’s $6,105 per Canadian. Investing in preventative care can not only save us millions of dollars spent on healthcare, but also save our lives. Health care providers are creating solutions within their field to help individuals conquer their overall health, as well as enlisting the help of other health care providers to assist their patients in gaining knowledge of other aspects they may not be aware of.

Collaboration between healthcare providers is becoming the norm in Ontario. Preventative health care professionals must build a network/team of other healthcare professionals to complete the overall assessment of their clients/patients. When treating or recommending preventative techniques, tools or treatment to a client/patient, one must consider the depth of what can be offered in that clinic or setting and remember that all healthcare is connected and without all aspects one can’t attain overall health and wellness.

Trends in Health Care

Proactive and Preventative Actions rather than Reactive Options

As a profession we are continuing to focus on preventative measures to reduce the risk of chronic disease and immunosuppression. This may include but is not limited to nutrition counselling, meal planning, portion control, exercise, stress management, regular medical/dental/dental hygiene examinations, great oral/overall hygiene, and visiting other care health team members as needed based on individual needs.

Personalized, targeted and achievable

Services and recommendations are now being based on individual needs rather than a one size fits all model. Lifestyle, ability, overall body health and preferences are considered during treatment planning.

Mobile Services

Services are now being offered at your door step. Currently most health services are available through mobile delivery. This is an excellent opportunity for those in remote areas of the world, people living in long term care or those who are house bound for various reasons to access health care.

Consumers are more knowledgeable and demanding more from healthcare providers

Currently there are multiple avenues for individuals to access information on health care in Canada. Often times this means patients/clients come to appointments with questions that medical professionals may not be able to answer unless they themselves have read or investigated the same information. Health professionals must stay on top of current and relevant information in their field of work to guide and assist patients on their journey/quest for overall health and wellness.

Conclusion

Patient centred care is considered to be the cornerstone of good medical practice in the 21^st Century. We must first consider the well-being of the patient. To fully support this magnitude of health practice we also must support and guide one another to better clinical practice. This includes asking questions that may not pertain to our field but have an absolute impact on our patients. It is with this evolution of medical practice that Norfolk Dental Hygiene focuses on all aspects of health and refers to appropriate health care providers both in medical, dental and preventative. Moving forward into the 21^st century we will only create change when we unite together.

References

1.      How to make Canada a health innovation nation, Canadian Science Policy Centre, By: Zayna Khayat, PhD: page 1-4: http://www.sciencepolicy.ca/news/how-make-canada-innovation-nation

2.      Transforming Health: Ontario innovations for preventative care, Mars, By: Nirusan Rajakulendran, Febrauary 18 2015:pages 1-29: https://www.marsdd.com/tag/future-of-health

3.      Dental Hygiene at a Crossroads: Knowledge Creation and Capacity Building in the 21^st Century, The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association: June 10 2009

Dental Insurance 101

Dissecting your insurance plan in the 20^th century...

The first questions asked in a dental office is always do you have insurance coverage? Many people assume there are different prices for those with insurance and those without insurance coverage. Although every office will follow the own protocols. The fact remains. The same price should be used for everyone with or without insurance coverage.

It’s crucial for each individual with an insurance plan to know what exactly their insurance coverage provides them and ensure what treatment they are being provided as well as what their insurance company is being charged for the visit to the dental office.

Just like many professionals our fees are based on time spent completing a service.

Preventative oral health services:
Examples:

	3 months	6 months	9 months	12 months
New Patient exam (every 3 years)	NA	NA	NA	NA
Dental Hygiene Exam
X-rays (as needed)
Canary Scan (as needed)
Scaling 6 units (1.5 hours) 8 units (2 hours) 10 units (2.5 hours) 12 units (3 hours) 14 units (3.5 hours) 16 units (4 hours) unlimited	BEST option 22.5 minutes 30 minutes 37.5 minutes 45 minutes 52.5 minutes 60 minutes ---------------	45 minutes 60 minutes 75 minutes 1.5 hours 1.75 hours 2 hours ---------------	67.5 minutes 1.5 hours 112.5 minutes 135 minutes 157.5 minutes 180 minutes ---------------	1.5 hours 2 hours 2.5 hours 3 hours 3.5 hours 4 hours ---------------
Root planning (as needed)	Same as above	Same as above	Same as above	Same as above
Tooth polish (as needed)
Fluoride applications (as needed)
Desensitizing (as needed)

Insurance companies also have the option to add percentage, current fee guide, calender year/rolling year or a maximum allowance.

Percentages: can be 80%, 90%, 100%, etc.
Example: Bob’s insurance company pays 80% of his services. Bob is responsible for paying the remaining 20% not covered by his insurance plan.

Current Fee Guide: Each year a new fee guide is set out by our professional association. If an insurance policy is using a 2013 fee guide and the current year is 2016. There may be a small balance owing after services have been completed.
Example: Bob had the following services completed; 3 unit scaling (45 minutes): $150. 2013 fee guide pays $145. Bob is responsible for paying the $5 insurance didn’t pay from the 3 year lag in current fees.

Calender/rolling year: Calender year refers to the January-December allowance of insurance. You have until Dec 31 of the current year to use your insurance. As of January 1^st your coverage allowance begins again. Rolling year refers to the last time your service was completed. This doesn’t go by a January-December term. It’s based on your last service date.

Maximum Allowance: you may have a maximum allowance per year or term. If you go over this amount, you would be responsible for paying any remaining amount.
Example: Bob’s insurance plan allows for a maximum of $1500 per year. He requires $2000 worth of treatment in this period. Bob is then responsible for paying the remaining $500.

Note: This table is designed to give an idea of how preventative oral health coverage can work. It is in no way a means of treatment for every dental office. All treatment and recommendations would be based on individual needs. Your registered dental hygienist will design a treatment for you, which may be more or less than your insurance allows.  This table reflects what some insurance companies provide. It’s important to note that individual businesses choose what services will be provided by the insurance companies.

Gratitude & Growth...

FALL is the beginning of Thanksgiving season. Soon all the blogs and social media will be about GRATITUDE! Have you ever, at the end of each day, recorded what you are thankful for and why. I love the idea of this, but I admit I have had many stops and starts!

In the spirit of this season, however, I started thinking about my clients. Of course I’m grateful because they give me the means and opportunity to work for myself. However, thinking about the true depth of my gratitude created an awareness of all the amazing things they bring me – not just this month but everyday!

My clients allow me to explore what’s trending in oral health. I’m perpetually curious, so I love this part of my job! This year alone, I’ve added the Canary System to my practice. A pain free, radiation free, early cavity detection tool, designed to detect problems before they are seen on an x-ray. It’s exciting to learn about where oral health is headed in Canada and the proactive changes to the medical system! I enjoy continually learning and growing and this wouldn’t happen without the work I do for my clients.

Being an Independent Dental Hygienist and a business owner allows me to meet awesome, inspiring people. We are surrounded by a variety of health care professionals in Norfolk County who aspire to achieve overall health and wellness for their patients and clients. Mind~Body~Soul. Collaborating with these individuals has built a strong foundation for the future in my practice and the county. I'm thankful to be able to work each and everyday with a group of professionals who continually show me that when we unite as one, there is nothing stopping us.

Thank you Norfolk County for opening your heart to change and embracing all that oral health has to offer in the next generation of health. I look forward to continuing my journey and building new relationships within this beautiful community I call home.

Yours in health... Karyn

SALIVA... The golden ticket!?

Saliva is essential for the digestion and breakdown of food in the mouth and gut as well as keeping our mouths healthy. It contains a complex mixture of enzymes, buffers, antibodies, minerals and nutrients that fight disease and keep our mouths and bodies healthy. Enzymes in the mouth begin the process of digesting the foods we eat. Carbohydrates, the primary nutritional component of grains, fruits, and vegetables, are broken down into simple sugars by the enzymes found in saliva.  Bacteria ingest the simple sugars and carbohydrates and convert them into acids. When our saliva is actively operating it buffers the acid and neutralises the pH. A neutral pH is key to keep acid levels maintained throughout the body.

Saliva contains antibodies and antimicrobial properties that decrease the amount of oral bacteria and facilitate the body’s defences to reduce the risk of disease in the mouth. Unfortunately, these compounds aren’t strong enough the kill all the harmful germs found in the oral cavity.

Calcium and Phosphorus are two minerals naturally occurring in our saliva. They aid in the remineralization of damaged enamel. Saliva is the best natural remedy for hardening damaged tooth enamel and creating a stronger defence mechanism.

            Our body produces high levels of saliva throughout the day, with an increase during food consumption. Generally, there is a decrease in production during the course of the night. This is especially true for those who aren’t drinking enough water throughout the day or who may be taking medications that cause a lack of saliva production. Without this natural buffer, those individuals suffering from dry mouth are at higher risk of dental diseases.

           An increase in gum disease and dental decay continues to plague Canadians, even after decades of new products, services and techniques, we are still grasping at straws, trying to control oral diseases that affect a large portion of our nation. The future of oral health is prevention and saliva is the key that unlocks the mystery.

          Could saliva be the golden ticket to all that ails us in oral health?.............

Saliva Facts

• We produce approximately 1 liter (34 ounces) of saliva a day.
• One teaspoon (5ml) of saliva contains about 2.5 billion bacterial cells.
• Your mouth does not secrete saliva when your sleep. This is why sleeping with your mouth open will result in a dry mouth.
• A neutral pH is 7.0
• Stomach acid has a pH level of 1.6 which helps kill harmful bacteria.
• Blood has a pH between 7.45 and 7.35.
• Saliva should be between 7.0-8.0

Reference: Oil Pulling Therapy (Detoxifying and healing the Body Through Oral Cleansing; Dr. Bruce Fife; Copyright 2008; pages 19-23

Send them Back-to-School Smiling!

The back to school preparation madness is about to begin! Back pack… check!  School supplies… check!   Haircut… check! Make sure you add a visit to the dental hygienist for an oral health check up to the Back-to-School list!

Get their back to school SMILE ready with a dental hygiene appointment! Now is the perfect time as the children are off for the summer break. Norfolk Dental Hygiene also recommends a Canary Scan. The Canary system is a device for the detection and monitoring of tooth decay. It can detect suspicious areas of decay on smooth enamel surfaces, root surfaces, biting surfaces, between teeth and around existing amalgam or composite fillings and beneath dental sealants. It is a pain free, safe and non-invasive early detection system, built on years of thorough research. Early detection of dental caries allows decay to be halted or reversed using remineralization therapies. The Canary system progressively shifts the dental care approach from intervention (filling of cavities) to prevention for all ages!

In addition to building a good oral health care routine, it’s important that your child have correct brushing techniques. The dental hygienist can see the trouble spots and offer your child ideas to improve how they brush their teeth.  A hurried and improper brushing style will lead to bacteria build up which may lead to other dental issues. Check out the Brush DJ app at www.brushdj.com.  It plays 2 minutes of your child’s music or you can choose music on the app, makes brushing fun! If flossing is an issue, at Norfolk Dental Hygiene we have other tools and techniques to get the same or better results!

What your child eats affects his or her teeth. Packing a healthy low-sugar lunch for your child helps to ensure that he or she doesn’t exist on a lunch of high sugar processed foods and candy. Too many carbohydrates, sugar (cookies, candies, milk, and other sugary foods and beverages), and starches (pretzels and potato chips) can cause tooth decay. How long carbohydrates remain on the teeth is the main culprit that leads to tooth decay. Half the battle is teaching your child to make healthy food choices! Xylitol gum is also another great option to help prevent decay. Because the bacteria in the mouth that are causing cavities are unable to digest xylitol, their growth is greatly reduced. The number of acid-producing bacteria may fall as much as 90%. After taking xylitol, the bacteria do not stick well on the surface of the teeth and as a result, the amount of plaque decreases.

With dental hygiene appointments, proper oral health care at home, and good nutrition, you can send them off with a healthy SMILE that will last a lifetime!

If Your Mouth Could Kill You...

The #1 chronic inflammatory disease could be contributing to your death but what are we doing about it?

It’s no secret our mouths are an infestation of microbes and bacteria. For many years the mouth has been seen as a separate part of the body. Current research not only indicates a massive link to overall health, scientists now believe the mouth may be causing many health conditions we are trying so desperately to reduce through treatment and medications but what if the problem is right under our nose (literally).

Oral Health vs Overall Health

Where does it all begin?........The oral bacteria sitting on the gums for a period of 24 hours or longer causes the immune system to be alarmed which it turn creates inflammation (site of injury/wound). The inflammation provides a gateway for oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and attach to other parts of the body and organs. This process is occurring 24/7 for those individuals with inflammation in the mouth. It becomes chronic when the site is left untreated and inflamed for long periods of time. With the body in a state of distress from the presence of bacteria in the blood on an ongoing basis other medical conditions can become more prominent as the immune system is fighting the mouth.

Inflammation is a normal immune response in your body. Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth are all signs of inflammation arriving at the site and helping your body with the healing process. Although is not true for the oral environment. In fact, most people don’t even realize there is a problem until treatment is required. Why is this? The mouth is designed to withstand a multitude of abnormal invaders and therefore responds to ailments differently than our body as a whole. Our last

Acute inflammation is a brief inflammatory response to an injury or illness that only lasts a few days.

Chronic inflammation is when your body no longer has the ability to turn off the inflammatory response and it starts damaging healthy tissue in your body. It could damage the intestinal lining in your gut and cause digestive problems, it could damage the arteries in your heart and cause heart disease, it could damage your joints and cause rheumatoid arthritis or it could damage your oral tissues and cause periodontal disease.

Some medical conditions we currently know the mouth is contributing to include: Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, Immune Suppression, Auto immune diseases, Alzheimers disease and Dementia, Respiratory Disease and Pre-Term Birth. This list continues to grow. Signs You Have Chronic Inflammation. The red flag for Chronic inflammation comes when a disease associated with it shows up, like heart disease, cancer, or autoimmune disease like MS, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Could this mean if your oral chronic inflammation goes untreated and undetected, it could in turn cause these health conditions?

Why now?

Adults-stress levels leading to clenching/grinding, change in diet, mental health conditions at an all-time high, unable to see an oral health professional on a regular basis due to time and finances, nutrition is poor with more people eating high sugar diets and processed foods, poor gut health (due to diet and lack of bacteria present in the gut) causing immune system to be in a state of havoc.

Children-Orthodontics early (difficult to clean routinely), lack of knowledge and acceptance, improper treatment planning and home care routine, stress in school and at home, poor nutrition and daily habits, and time restraints due to busy schedules (extracurricular/sports)

How do we take Oral Healthcare into the future?

It’s very simple….education, education, education. Over the past 9 years we have seen the dental hygiene profession shift into the role of primary oral health care provider. Dental Hygienists are an integral part of the medical team. Preventing dental disease and treating periodontal disease through in-office techniques/tools and preparing home care regimens to maximize treatment plans. Not only are dental hygienists continuing to develop new methods to assist the public in maintaining overall health, they are forming networks of medical professionals to refer their current patients to when a medical concern arises. As a profession we have to look at the entire being of a client not just their oral condition. Digestive health, stress, hormones, mental health, systemic health, etc. Looking into the future of preventative oral health care means looking deeply into the broken aspects of health and restoring immune function. Detailed examinations and scans which would include saliva testing, bacterial analysis, and nutrition and gut health as well as stress management are the next generation in oral health.

Better health for life: A guide to oral health success

In-Office

• Full mouth debridement (cleaning) on a time scheduled advised by your oral health specialist
• Examinations of the teeth, soft tissue and gums annually
• Oral cancer examinations with every visit to the office
• Demineralization Scan to determine any early lesions in the teeth (prevent cavities) annually
• Fluoride when indicated
• Nutrition guidance
• Oral health tips and treatment plans to suit your needs
• Other preventative services as needed

At Home

• Perform oral cancer exams at home
• Seek guidance towards good nutrition and diet
• Reduce sugar, carbohydrates, starches and sticky foods
• Cleanse your teeth, tongue and tissues at least 2-3xdaily (up to 10 minutes daily)
• Clean between your teeth, along the gum line and massage your gums
• Use SPF sunscreen for your skin and lips

In conclusion, with the increasing amount of research and information on oral health care and its link to overall health and wellness, we must evaluate our own oral care practices and as a society ask ourselves, “Am I getting the best oral health care?”. Preventative oral health care is entering into the new generation of medical health and advancements. As a thriving profession, we are look forward to assisting Canadian live healthier lifestyles one mouth at a time.

“THE BEST PROTECTION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IS PREVENTION, NOT CLEAN UP”

~John McNabb

“AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE”

~Benjamin Franklin

References:

1. The Silent Saboteurs; Unmasking Our Own Oral Spirochetes As the Key to Saving Trillions in Health Care Costs; William D Nordquist DMD, David J Krutchkoff DDS MS

2. Health Canada: Summary Report on the Findings of the Oral Health Component of the Canadian Health Measures Survey 2007 2009. Ottawa, Ontario: Publications Health Canada; 2010

3. Canadian Institute for Health Information. Exploring the 70/30 split: how Canada's health care system is financed. Ottawa: CIHI; 2005.

4. Canadian Institutes for Health Information. National Health Expenditure: 1975 to 2011. Ottawa: CIHI; 2011

5. Petersen PE (2008) WHO global policy for improvement of oral health. International Dental Journal 58(3): 115-121

written by Karyn Steinhoff R.D.H, Owner of Norfolk Dental Hygiene

Oral Health Did You Know Facts

• ·         62% of Canadians have private dental insurance
• ·         6% have public insurance
• ·         32% have no dental insurance
• ·         12% of Canadians avoid certain foods because of problems with their teeth or mouth in the  past year.
• ·         12% of Canadians report that they had ongoing pain in their mouth in the past year.
• ·         74% of Canadians have seen a dental professional in the last year.
• ·         17% of Canadians avoided going to a dental professional in the last year because of the cost.
• ·         16% of Canadians avoided having the full range of recommended treatment due to the cost in  the last year.
• ·         An estimated 2.26 million school-days and 4.15 million working-days are lost annually due to  dental visits or dental sick-days.
• ·         57% of 6-11 year olds have or have had a cavity.
• ·         59% of 12-19 year olds have or have had a cavity.
• ·         The average number of teeth affected by decay in children aged 6-11 and 12-19 year olds is  2.5.
• ·         Although cavities are largely preventable, 96% of adults have a history of cavities.
• ·         6% of adult Canadians no longer have any natural teeth.
• ·         21% of adults with teeth have, or have had, a moderate or a severe periodontal (gum) problem.
• ·         73% of Canadians brush twice a day
• ·         28% floss at least 5 times a week
• ·         32% of children aged 6-11 have one or more sealants.
• ·         The average number of teeth that were sealed in children aged 6-11 years old age is 2.88.
• ·         The average number of teeth that were sealed in adolescents (12-19 years of age) is 3.51.
• ·         Sealants were found in 51% of adolescents (12- 19 years of age).
• ·         34% of Canadians ages 6-79 years of age (who have teeth) had some sort of treatment need  identified by the dentists.
• ·         The World Health Organization defines oral health as being free of chronic mouth and facial  pain, oral and throat cancer, oral sores, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, periodontal  (gum) disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that affect the  mouth and oral cavity.
• ·         Oral diseases are among the most prevalent chronic diseases.
• ·         Oral cancer leads to pain, tooth loss and premature death if not detected early on.
• ·         Oral diseases—once considered localized infections—are now associated with other diseases  such as diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
• ·         Oral disease and pain can have a significant negative impact on your ability to learn, work,  socialize, speak and eat foods that you need.
• ·         You can't be healthy without good oral health.
• ·         Tooth decay is the most common disease of childhood—decay in children's primary teeth  predicts future decay in adult teeth.
• ·         Tooth decay can continue throughout your lifetime.
• ·         In some areas in Canada, dental procedures under general anesthesia are the most common  surgical procedures that children receive in hospitals.
• ·         Canadians spend 13 billion dollars a year on oral health care, diseases, and injuries that are  almost all preventable. In terms of costs associated with disease categories, oral health care  follows cardiovascular disease and exceeds costs for respiratory disease and cancer.
• ·         About 32% of Canadians have no dental insurance and this number increases with age.
• ·         If you smoke, drink alcohol excessively, or have diabetes, then your chances of developing  gum diseases are higher. Smoking, alcohol consumption and oral sex also increase your risk  for oral cancer.
• ·         Limited income and education are risk factors for high rates of oral disease.
• ·         Government spending on oral health has decreased from 11% in 1984 to 8% in 2011, resulting  in a greater cost for the individual.
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21 Day Fix: 9 Ways to Detox your mouth

1.      Scaling “Cleaning” within one week of starting the detox

Rationale: Oral bacteria starts developing on the teeth within 5 minutes after brushing or having a professional cleaning. After 24 hours the immune system is alarmed and ready to fight the bacteria through inflammation of the gums. Even a small amount of inflammation can affect the results of the detox. Best practice is to have a thorough debridement (cleaning of the mouth) with a highly skilled dental professional to ensure oral cavity is free from deposit and bacteria.

2.      Proper Toothbrush/Technique “Curaprox”

Rationale: For the purpose of this detox we would like to ensure everyone is utilizing the same style of toothbrush and technique. Curaprox is a swiss made toothbrush made from Curen filaments, an anti-bacterial resistant type of bristle that repels water, which in turn creates minimal to no bacterial growth. These toothbrushes can last up to one year depending on use. Technique: Small circular movements, starting on the back side of the molars and moving forward, until all surfaces are complete. Time/frequency: This method should be completed after every meal for maximum benefit take approx. 4 minutes

http://curaprox.ca/en/products/toothbrushes/sensitive-cs5460-toothbrush.html

3.     Tongue cleaning

Rationale: The tongue papillae (taste buds) can often times collect bacteria similar to the teeth. You may notice a thick coat of white, brown or even black on the top surface of your tongue. Without proper removal halitosis (bad breathe) can occur. This can be completed with a tongue brush, specifically designed to remove oral bacteria from the tongue or your regular tooth brush.

Time/frequency: once daily

http://www.gumbrand.com/accessories/gum-tongue-cleaner/gum-dual-action-tongue-cleaner-760rb.html

4.     Gingival massage

Rationale: Gum tissue needs stimulation the same way our muscles often times need to be massaged. The best practice is to use a sulcabrush (Canadian made). Massage the gum tissue in a back and forth or circular motion. This can be completed with no toothpaste or rinse and is best utilized while reading, watching tv or on the computer. Time/frequency: 5 minutes 1x daily (if this is something you are able to incorporate easily, you can cut back on the length of time spent toothbrushing)

http://www.sulcabrush.com/default_1.aspx

5.      Interproximal cleaning (between teeth)

Rationale: Bacteria can hide on all areas around and in between teeth. Often times gums disease starts from improper cleaning between the surfaces of the teeth. This technique can be accomplished through flossing or interdental aids (brushes, stimudents)

https://www.curaprox.com/ee-et/interdental-brushes

6.     Toothpaste (Remin)

Rationale: The proper toothpaste is extremely important is preventing oral diseases. Many natural toothpastes are available through natural health food stores. However; the main ingredient missing from many of these products is an ingredient that builds/repairs damaged tooth enamel. When the teeth/root structure is damaged the teeth become porous with allows for bacteria growth causing cavities and gum disease. Remin by Oral Science is like no other toothpaste on the market. It contains no fluoride, no SLS, has a mild mint flavour, contains Xylitol, and most importantly builds/repairs tooth enamel with the use of calcium and phosphorus. Two natural minerals used to produce enamel.

http://www.oralscience.ca/en/products/remin.html

7.     Rinsing with coconut oil

Rationale: Oil pulling helps dislodge and remove bacteria and toxins from the gums and surrounding tissues and teeth. Rinsing with coconut oil can reduce the amount of bacteria and reduce inflammation in the mouth. The action of “oil pulling” is thought to reduce toxins throughout the body. Time/frequency: once daily for 15-20 minutes

http://www.holistic-healing-information.com/oil-pulling.html

8.      Xylitol gums/mints

Rationale: The use of xylitol in oral health care has been around for years. Occurring naturally in birch wood and corn cobs, xylitol has the ability to kill oral bacteria and neutralize the pH. Creating an environment in which bacteria can’t grow and thrive. This natural sweetener can be found in gum, mints, toothpaste, rinses, foods and sugar substitutes. It is Gluten free, sugar free, stimulates saliva, reduces cavities and inflammation and is an excellent resource for diabetics.

http://www.oralscience.ca/en/products/gums_mints.html

9.      Nutrition

Rationale: What we put into our body also effects our oral cavity. Limit your simple sugar and carbohydrate intake. Stay away from sticky and starchy foods. Minimize your fruit intake and increase vegetables and leafy greens. Powdered or liquid greens is often and excellent resource for neutralizing the oral cavity through digestion.

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition

Compiled and written by Karyn Steinhoff R.D.H. 

Evolution of the Dental Hygiene Profession

Introducing myself as an Independent Dental Hygienist raises many questions and often some controversy. I hope to clarify some misunderstandings and concerns. The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) was formed in 1994 with the approval of the Ministry of Health. [1] CDHO is the primary regulatory board of all dental hygienist in Ontario – they are our official boss. CDHP received government approval to allow Dental Hygienists to become independent in 2007 [2] to allow more choice with greater access to oral heath care. In order to become an Independent Dental Hygienist, strict educational criteria from the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) must be met. After working as a registered Dental Hygienist for twenty years and having obtained an honours Science degree from Western University prior to that, I felt well-equipped to become independent. In 2008, I earned my “independent” status.

The Ministry of Health recognizes that preventative cares saves thousands of dollars per year in health care costs. [3] There is a definite link between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (Heart & Stroke) and diabetes. Research now indicates a possible link to the onset of Alzheimer’s [4] The most recent support of Health Canada for Independent Dental Hygienists has been shown by the addition of Independent Dental Hygienists as service providers to the national non-insured health benefit programs (NIHB) as of June 1, 2016.

I have the privilege and honour of working with some of the most talented dentists in our community. The notion that independent dental hygienists are in rebellion against general practice dentists is unwarranted; this is evolution, not revolution. Many patients who have a fear of dental offices feel more at ease introducing themselves first to an Independent Dental Hygiene Practice. Local dentists forging a good working relationship with an Independent Dental Hygiene Practice have patients referred to them who otherwise were not ready to go to a dental office. There are now at least 400 Independent Dental Hygienists in Canada. [5]

More interesting facts:

·        Dental Hygienists form the sixth largest regulated health profession in Canada.

·        Dental Hygiene is one of Canada’s top ten projected growth professions by 2020.

·        Practice is a variety of settings, including public health, private practice, hospitals, long term care facilities, educational institutions and research in the dental industry.

·        Practice entrepreneurship having established their own practice outside of a dentist’s office. [6]

No doubt, changes are always difficult. Today Independent Dental Hygienists are leading the way for what some day will be the norm. I am proud to be a part of such a forward thinking profession. Independent Dental Hygienists have earned the right to be an integral part of your health care.

Lorraine Vallee, H. BSC, RDH, is an Independent Dental Hygienist who practices with Norfolk Dental Hygiene in Simcoe, Ontario

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[1] Richardson, Fran, “Celebrating A Lifetime of Dental Hygiene” Milestones, June 2014. Web. April 11,        2016

[2] Sobie, Sherryll, Toronto Star, April 1, 2012. Web. April 10, 2016.

[3] Clavis, Joanne, “Let’s Put Our Money Where Our Mouth Is” PolicyAlternatives.ca, April 2011. Web.

[4] Kravitz, Charles D.D.S, “New Findings: Periodontal Spirochetes Definitely Linked to Alzheimers Disease” Advance Dental Consulting, November 10, 2011. Web. April 10, 2016.

[5] Sobie, Sherryll, “Dental Hygienists In Ontario: Their Changing Role and What it Means to You”

[6] Source: The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association