Alabama Hygiene Club Newsletter

Thank you!

Thank you for signing up to the Alabama Hygiene Club! Our goal is to bring you real time information with the most current CE's, new products, and job postings. Hygienists are an integral part of the success and profitability of their dental practice. The Alabama Hygiene Club is an excellent resource to stay relevant to the latest information, great products, job postings, and information that will advance your career and help your practice succeed!

Featured Product

Brewer’s 135DSS Dynamic Split-Saddle Stools have unique and patented features that result in a superior saddle stool. The exclusive split-seat design offers pressure reduction and cooling comfort, resulting in improved reproductive health in both men and women. The 360° circular movement and tilt provides strength and stability to the spine, allowing a more natural motion. Want a 2 week FREE demo? Click below.

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Tips & Tricks

... How could they always find calculus after I worked so hard and so long to remove it all?

1. Before moving forward with your cleaning, dry off the teeth and then check for calculus once more.
2. After instrumentation and before polishing, unwaxed floss is another way to check for calculus, especially between the lower anterior teeth. This removes interdental plaque biofilm and teaches the patient what the dental floss squeak sounds like.
3. Magnification always helps. Interested in trying out a pair of loupes? Click HERE.

The Workplace

Dental professionals, including dental hygienists, are confronted daily with difficult choices that require decisive action and judgment calls for which careful deliberation is required. To be fair you always must consider both parties involved. Below are a few steps that you can trust will guide you to a sound decision.

Identify the ethical dilemma or problem
Collect information
State the options
Apply the ethical principle to the options
Make the decision
Implement the decision 1

Patient Education

"I don't smoke, I vape and it's not as bad for you..."

Ever heard this? E-Cigarettes have become a hot trend now days and you are probably seeing more and more patients using them. The question is: how bad are they really? With so much information swirling around about them it's really hard to tell. Like cigarettes, the aerosol first contacts the oral cavity when at its hottest. Studies have shown e-liquids to contain such toxins as diethylene glycol, which is also used in antifreeze, lead, and chromium, among others2. The effects on the oral cavity can vary depending on the frequency, type, and individual response. Clinically, doctors have seen everything from stomatitis to what appears as chemical burns. The most common effects of vaping seen are in the form of xerostomia, and often the patient may complain of a dry cough as well. They don’t realize the cough can be related to the inhalation of the vaporized liquid’s effect on the bronchioles of the lungs. Stomatitis will appear on the palate and looks similar to dark colored “pin pricks.” It is usually not sensitive. If a patient is not able or willing to give up the vaping habits, offer treatments for the side effects. For xerostomia and an increased caries rate, recommend a high fluoride and dry mouth solution for home use.

While vaping has become a trend, especially amongst the younger generations, it is our duty to properly and effectively educate our pateints to the long term risk of vaping.

Don't forget to Register for our featured CE this upcoming week! Receive one hour of CE for FREE. Simply login to www.alabamahygiene.com to register. Click on the CE Events page and it will be our featured event.

Want a topic covered in the next issue? Click HERE.

1. Ortiz, Marcy. "HomeSolving Ethical Dilemmas in Dental Hygiene Practice Solving Ethical Dilemmas in Dental Hygiene Practice."Www.rdhmag.com. Marcy Ortiz, n.d. Web.
2. Holliday R, Stubbs C. A Dental Perspective On Electric Cigarettes: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. OralHealth website.http://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/a-dental-perspective-on-electronic-cigarettes-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/. Published June 15, 2016. Accessed June 27, 2016.
3. Collins, Jamie. "The Oral Effects of Vaping: Patient Education." - DentistryIQ. N.p., 28 June 2016. Web. 02 July 2016.

July AHC Newsletter