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The results are in…decay is on the rise in Calgary

children first dental visit, children's dental, preventing dental decay, Uncategorized - -

Is there a dental topic more polarizing than water fluoridation? Supporters adamantly defend this public health initiative and opponents are just as resolute in their position.

On the fence about community water fluoridation?  An internet search on the topic can lead to hours of reading, and information that is all over the map. Adding to public perplexity is the fact that within dental health communities you will find both supporters and opponents, even though the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and Canadian Dental Association both have position statements supporting community water fluoridation, (1,2) as do a long list of other organizations and groups. (1)

One thing that is clear, regardless of your stance on fluoride, tooth decay rates have increased among children in Calgary since water fluoridation was discontinued in May 2011. This was brought to media attention in 2014, with Registered Dental Hygienist, Denise Kokaram speaking out about significant tooth decay being treated on the Alex Dental Health Bus,

 “more than half of the children who get treated on the bus have tooth decay”, she said. “We see lower self-esteem with these kids, attention spans are affected. Loss of days at school.”(3)

At this same time, Calgary pediatric dentist Dr. Sarah Hulland said

“I’m seeing a lot more children having a lot more cavities. I’m seeing a lot of decay on 19- to 20-month babies, and this is even before they’ve got all the teeth in.

We frequently have to put them to sleep to rehabilitate them. We don’t have enough anaesthetists that actually help us to put them to sleep. We don’t have enough OR time. We don’t have enough manpower to actually do the care that needs to be given.“

What used to be a one-month wait to see a pediatric dentist in Calgary is now at least three months.” (3)

Fast forward to today, and now we have hard data thanks to a recently published study carried out in Alberta. 

Lead author Lindsay McLaren, PhD, from the Cumming School of Medicine and O’Brien Institute for Public Health revealed children in Calgary are experiencing higher rates of tooth decay compared to children of the same age in Edmonton.

Comparing more than 5,000 grade two children in both cities, “there was a worsening in tooth decay in Calgary since the discontinuation of fluoridation in 2011, compared to Edmonton, where water is still fluoridated. In fact, the number of tooth surfaces with decay per child increased by 3.8 surfaces in Calgary during the time frame of the study, compared to only 2.1 in Edmonton. This is a statistically significant difference. The average child has about 20 teeth with four or five surfaces per tooth.”(4)

Dr.Mclaren says, “We first of all looked at trends over time in tooth decay in the two cities and whether there was a difference and after that we systematically went through and explored a number of possible alternative explanations for those differences. Everything pointed pretty consistently to fluoridation cessation being the main reason for the difference.”(4)

You can read the full study here htttp://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2016-02-17/study-shows-tooth-decay-worsened-calgary-children-after-fluoride-removal (5)

At Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic, we provide our patients with recommendations based on their individual dental health needs, which may or may not include fluoride treatments. We respect a patient’s decision regarding treatments they consent to, and treatments they decline. 

When demineralization is present, or an individual (child or adult) is a high risk for tooth decay, fluoride and re-mineralizing fluoride alternatives can be recommended. Our philosophy of care is to treat individuals on an individual basis. 

Children should be seen for their first visit with a dental health care provider 6 months after their first tooth erupts, or by age 1 year. Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic offers to see children for this first visit at no charge. It is an important visit, despite the myth that baby teeth are NOT important. Baby teeth are VERY important. Let’s work together to ensure a future of cavity free adults, who do not require dental filling replacement over and over throughout their lives. Tooth decay is preventable. Let’s work together to prevent it.

References

  1. http://www.cdha.ca/CDHA/The_Profession/Resources/links/position_statement_water_fluoridation.aspx
  2.  http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/about/position_statements/fluoride/
  3. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/dental-decay-rampant-in-calgary-children-pediatric-dentist-says-1.2864413
  4. http://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2016-02-17/study-shows-tooth-decay-worsened-calgary-children-after-fluoride-removal
  5. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291600-0528 

Post Author: Sally Lloyd BScDH, Registered Dental Hygienist at Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic , Calgary,AB

but what will my dentist say?

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question
We know, we know, we hear it often – you want to “try out” a dental hygiene clinic but you are concerned there will be some consequence with your dentist.

We have heard :
“I want to book an appointment at Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic for my cleaning, but I like my dentist”
“I want to try out a different dental hygienist but I am worried my dentist will be upset”
“I want to book an appointment but what will my dentist think? what will my dentist say?”

“I enjoy seeing my dentist but I want to see a different dental hygienist- I don’t click with the one I am currently seeing”

These inquiries tend to increase after there is media coverage regarding rising costs of dentistry in Alberta, or in Canada.

We are also asked if dentists give us grief, or flack, or cause problems for us. We hear it all…and no, we have not had grief from any dentist. We have professional working relationships and refer to dentists, denturists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, periodontists, dermatologists, medical doctors, speech pathologists and many other health care professionals. The goal is the best overall treatment for our clients.

Is it irrational to be concerned? No, of course not. You may have a long-term patient relationship with your dentist that you are completely happy with. That is fine, you can still continue to see your dentist for your regular dental examinations. In fact, we encourage you to do so if you are pleased with the care you have received. You can have your dental cleaning at our clinic and continue to see your dentist, and this is the case for the majority of those who see us. We also treat patients who do not have a dentist of record in this province, or sometimes in the country. I have forwarded digital radiographs and intra-oral photos to Columbia for my patients. We live in a very global world, with advanced technology.

We have also been told by clients that once they were no longer booking their dental hygiene cleanings at their “regular” dental clinic, that they were given the cold shoulder, or had been discouraged by dental staff to go “elsewhere” for their cleanings. This behaviour I would certainly question. Patient autonomy should be supported by the dentist and all dental staff. You are free to seek and choose care where and with whom you want. It would be unethical for a dentist to deny to see you based on the decision that you are having dental hygiene treatment at a dental hygiene clinic. If this situation arises- perhaps have a frank discussion with your dentist before deciding not to ever see him/her again.

As far as my qualifications as a dental hygienist – I am the same dental hygienist whether you seek treatment from me at Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic, or have treatment with me if I was an employee of a dentist in a dental clinic. In other words my skills, experience and education are the same independent of which clinic I am working in.I have a diploma in Dental Hygiene from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Alberta, I am on the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta (CRDHA) roster for administration of local anesthetic (dental freezing) as well as for  prescribing and administering N2/O2 conscious sedation (laughing gas). All dental hygienists practicing at Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene clinic are registered with CRDHA and are members of the Canadian Dental Hygiene Association. Hygienists at our clinic work in a variety of settings, including dental clinics and others exclusively at Lifetime Smiles.  If someone is questioning the qualifications of dental hygienists working in a dental hygiene clinic in an attempt to influence your decision – ask questions, be informed.

The choice is yours! Decide for yourself.

A Truly Happy Visit

Children's Care, Uncategorized - , , , , -

At Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic, we want your child’s first dental experience to be a positive one. Our Hygienist’s intuitive nature, guides how much is accomplished in this first visit. We call this first visit the “happy visit”, this appointment is to gain your child’s confidence and trust. Each child is truly unique, we will carry out different hygiene treatments with each child depending on how comfortable your child is. Treatment is never forced, as finishing everything is not the goal.  The goal of the “Happy Visit” is to keep your child happy throughout this experience and share information with parents or guardians on how best to take care of teeth at this age. We encourage parents to stay in the room, or if you feel your child will do best without you, that is your choice. You know your child best.

 

What happens at a Happy Visit?  

First, we want to show your child the chair they will be sitting in, how is goes up and down, back and forward. We will show your child the gadgets connected to the chair such as the air/water syringe and the suction (aka Mr. Thirsty). It is very important for your child to see that the tools that we will use are simply to count your child’s teeth, which always proves to be a lot of fun. Next we will apply the disclosing solution, this is our plaque finder. Once this purple odorless and tasteless liquid is painted on the teeth, we can together, with a mirror in hand, evaluate where the plaque bacteria is “hiding”. After this is done, we have an opportunity to show both child and parent/s the proper brush technique and how to eliminate more of the plaque bacteria in the future. Polishing may come next which further eliminates plaque on the teeth and always makes for a few giggles. Our polisher is a cordless version which has proven very helpful for those children not interested in sitting the chair- and prefer sitting on Mom or Dad`s lap. It  looks like an electric toothbrush which children are able to relate to. If age appropriate, and deemed necessary, fluoride (aka, tooth vitamin) can then be painted on, put into trays, or applied in the form of a mouth rinse. Lastly of course, the best part of the appointment, that well-earned prize, and picking out a new toothbrush!

 It is important for children to be seen by a Registered Dental Hygienist at an early age, to promote a less harmful population of oral bacteria and prevent tooth decay, and connect your family with other required dental or healthcare professionals, such as dentists, pediatric dentists,general physicians, and more.  Today there are many dental hygiene treatments available to ensure a lifetime of “no cavities”. This is what we want for each child.  At Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic we believe that cost of preventative treatment should not be a barrier to the beginning of  healthy teeth and habits for children – if cost is an issue ask us about options in Calgary. There are plans that assist with dental cleanings for children, and if these do not apply we see children under age 3 for their first “Happy Visit” at no cost.  Truly a “Happy Visit”

Call us (403)457-2044 to discuss your child`s first dental cleaning