Take the test from the DR OZ show
http://www.doctoroz.com/quiz/how-clean-your-mouth
Dr oz is doing a wonderful job understanding the importance in your oral health follow the link and answer a couple of questions you may be surprised with what you learn.
disclaimer: please note that this information was taken off the doctor oz show. This quiz was not made by us and is property of the DR OZ show we are just providing the link
If your hygienist or dentist doesn’t do this- ask for it. Some dental hygiene and dental clinics have cool equipment like velscope – that incorporates fluorescence visualization technology to help detect abnormal tissue , including cancer and precancer. Again more dental lingo I know- basically they shine a light inside your mouth and abnormal tissue fluoresces differently than normal tissue.
Often patients think hygienists are a bit overboard with concern, and it requires the attention of a Hollywood star being diagnosed with a “not talked about so much” disease to increase public awareness. Michael Douglas being diagnosed with oral cancer has done this. The Academy Award winner has recently been diagnosed with a tumour in his throat, and now faces an eight-week course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
I read this morning
“Hollywood star’s diagnosis highlights high risk of mouth cancer
This high profile case has brought oral cancers into the limelight, and oral health experts are keen to make the public more aware of the key risk factors and early warning signs.
Douglas quit smoking in 2006, after a long ‘half a packet a day’ habit. Yet, the possibility of developing oral cancer remains higher for ex-smokers than non-smokers for 20 years after quitting. Tobacco is considered to be the main cause of mouth cancer, with three in four cases being linked to smoking. Drinking in excess is also a known factor, with those who both smoke and drink to excess being up 30 times more likely to be at risk.
The chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter said: “It is crucial the public know about the risk factors and early symptoms as early detection can save lives. Survival rates can increase from just 50% to over 90% with early detection – yet over two thirds of cases are diagnosed at a late stage. “Many people have not heard of mouth cancer, and do not realise how common it is – latest figures show that over 5,300 cases are diagnosed in the UK in a year and that men over the age of 40 are twice as likely to develop the condition as women.” ”
So stick your tongue out ….have a look…and please feel free to “stick your tongue out” at me in the dental hygiene clinic!!!
The hygienist I see told me I should be seen every 3 months, is this legit? and what am I being billed for at these appointments?In the past it was customary to fall into the trap of dental insurance dictated “once a year”, or “once every 6 months” frequency of dental cleanings. Often patients will state “I can only have a cleaning every 9 months, because that is what my insurance covers”…well you can actually go as often as you want, insurance won’t cover every visit, BUT YOU CAN go as often as you want …if you hate flossing you could go to see the hygienist every few days …but seriously you have other places you need to be so Floss!
Keep in mind your dental insurance coverage is NOT based on what you may require. It is coverage negotiated and provided as a benefit package – typically by an employer. Or a “package” you apply for.
Due to the status of the health of your gum tissues and bone levels, the hygienist may recommend that you are seen every 3 months for plaque and calculus removal, or 4 months, or 6 months, or 9 months ….you get the picture. Everyone’s health is different, and so are the dental hygiene needs of each patient. I would be more concerned if the dental hygienist you see doesn’t customize your hygiene frequency to your specific needs. Hygienists use information such as the amount of calculus that forms in your mouth, the depth of the periodontal pockets measured (yes, all that poking and number calling..3, 2, 3…. is useful), bone levels, amount of tissue bleeding, as well as your overall health and risk factors to decide what is going to give you the best chance at achieving top-notch oral health , and the benefit of keeping your teeth for life!!
What does that mean in terms of dental insurance? Well get to know your coverage. A dental “cleaning” is actually a very general term because your dental hygiene visit will likely include scaling and or root planing, polishing, application of desensitizing materials, diagnostic radiographs to assess bone levels, or reviewing which plaque removal aids would be best for you. The hygienist may even create teeth trays to wear at home with remineralizing materials to prevent decay. Each individual has individual needs. That is why your invoice when you leave a dental hygiene appointment has a list of individual procedures.
And what does all of that dental lingo mean? Scaling and rootplanning in Canada are billed in time units.
1 unit of scaling = 15 minutes of removing deposit (or as my friend likes to call it “scraping the teeth”)
Polishing involves paste, removes daily sins like coffee, tea and red wine stain, smoothes rough areas so plaque bacteria cannot attach as easily
Fluoride can be gel, foam, varnish or rinse applied topically to teeth – again this should not be an “automatic treatment”, rather the dental hygienist will determine if it or a fluoride alternative is suitable for you. There are also fluroride free – re-mineralizing agents that can be used to strengthen and prevent decay.
Insurance Plans usually have limitations such as 1 polishing procedure per 9 months…or 1 exam and x-rays per 12 months)…
Insurance coverage for scaling units may include – 16 units per calendar year, if you have a great plan maybe coverage will state unlimited scaling units per year . You could have a plan that covers only 2 units of scaling a year. *This may be a combination of root planning and scaling..you have to ask questions of your insurance provider if it is not clear.
The good news is that you may require scaling, root planning at these 3, 4 or 6 month hygiene visits, but don’t necessarily need polishing, or xrays and a check up exam every visit. So what the dental hygienist is recommending may actually fall within your dental insurance limits, good news!! Be thankful you have any dental coverage at all, as there are many people without .
Bad news – and its not really bad news – if it doesn’t fall within your dental insurance find out how much it would cost you? 2 units of scaling may not cost quite what you think in terms of dollars, and may mean that if you visit the hygienist 4 times a year and you are willing to pay for 2 of the visits… you get to have healthy gums, a healthy mouth, and a healthy heart which contributes to overall health. One patient told me they spent more on their pet last year than they did on their teeth.
The other solution…follow advice from your dental hygienist in terms of what you can do at home …and then repeat this daily.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Child is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to eradicating Early Childhood Caries (ECC), the most common of childhood chronic diseases. Our purpose is to conduct research, teach prevention, and promote diagnosis and treatment of ECC world wide.
| A FREE Infant Oral Health CHECK: for babies 6 months to a year old, was held on Sat. July 24, 10 am to 2 pm, Southcentre, Centre Court, Calgary.67 infants were seen at the event. Besides the free assessment parents were given information, infant gum wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste and Vitamin D samples.The Society would like to thank the three pediatric specialists | and the two general dentists as well as hygienists and assistants for their time, which was volunteered.The Society would also like to thank Henry Schein Arcona and Dr. Georgie Rosenbaum for their donations of products for the “loot bags.”Baby Bottle Decay can lead to all sorts of problems — health, development and behavior — in babies, children and adults. | Remember, if we can identify Baby Bottle Decay early enough, at ages 6 months to a year, we can easily stop it from ever being a problem in your baby’s life.Society for a Healthy Mouth Healthy Child (Alberta) is a non- profit, charitable society focused on the oral health of children. We’re trying to get the word out about Baby Bottle Decay — what Dentists call “Early Childhood Caries” or “ECC”. |
Another FREE Infant Oral Health CHECK:
for babies 6 months to a year old is
planned for the late fall
see website for more information
*Sept 29,2010 Update – see article on Healthy Child featured in Calgary Herald http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Dental+disease+plagues+Calgary+children/3532635/story.html
I am asked some of these questions often, so if one person wants to know, many probably do..
Regulations enacted under Alberta’s Health Professions Act (effective November, 2006) allow registered dental hygienists to provide services in a variety of practice settings in addition to working in a dental office. Often called “Independent Hygienists” ….I know new lingo
Practice settings include a dental hygiene clinics, mobile services or both. Yes – thats right a mobile hygienist could come right to you…or visit nursing homes to see your loved ones. Please, someone send a dental hygienist to me if I am ever in long term care or can’t make it to a dental hygiene appointment. Hygienists on the move.
Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic is stationary- we can’t come to you- but please feel free to come to us- we welcome all patients. If you want to find out more about a mobile hygienist have a look at the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta(CRDHA)- they have a list of independent hygienists in Alberta. If you are in a province other than Alberta – contact the provincial association for a list.
As indicated on the CRDHA site in their practice, Registered dental hygienists in Alberta do one or more of the following:
•assess, diagnose and treat oral health conditions through the provision of therapeutic, educational and preventive dental hygiene procedures and strategies to promote wellness,
•provide the services described in this section as clinicians, educators, researchers, administrators, health promoters and consultants.
Registered dental hygienists in Alberta:
•have met the educational and other requirements criteria for registration.
•apply a dental hygiene process of care model.
•practice with a foundation of evidence-based knowledge and theory.
•practice collaboratively with clients, colleagues and other health care professionals.
•provide client-centred services to prevent and treat oral disease and promote wellness.
•are involved in a variety of key responsibility areas related to dental hygiene practice (e.g. clinical, education, health promotion, administration, research, etc.).
•are legally, ethically, and professionally accountable for their practice and recognize personal limitations.
•maintain ongoing competence (e.g. through continuing education, research, reflective practice, practice hours, etc.).
•possess additional education, competencies and/or certification when performing advanced practice procedures.
Wow…and if that is not enough hygienists can apply to be on specific rosters indicating that they have the education and competencies to:
•prescribe the limited medications used in dental hygiene practice
•administer local anaesthetic by injection (aka. freezing)
•prescribe and administer nitrous oxide/ oxygen for conscious sedation
So to summarize, registered dental hygienists are one smart group!! and while I know we have a reputation of being “lecturers of flossing”…we care a great deal about teeth, oral health and overall health…
Want to find a dental hygiene clinic, or mobile clinic in Canada? Locate a Dental Hygienist.com allows a search by city, province or name
