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

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

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!

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