Photo: Kat Gill, Katch Studios Your mouth Where health begins Your Mouth: Where Health Begins
A message from the members of the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta The College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta provides information to help individuals and communities prevent oral disease, maintain good oral health and increase awareness of the relationship of oral health to general health. In striving to achieve these objectives, it is our hope that we can better serve Albertans. Registered dental hygienists work with every age group from young children to elderly people. Through screening, education, therapeutic and preventive procedures, they can help reduce your risk of oral health problems. You can get care from registered dental hygienists through dental offices, stand-alone offices and mobile services, such as in care facilities, across Alberta. Care for your mouth and your whole body benefits Dental hygienists help guide a lifetime of good oral health Many people think only of healthy teeth when they hear the words oral health, but it s about more than just your teeth. Oral health also includes healthy lips, cheeks, tongue, throat, and the roof and floor of your mouth. Oral health is essential to general health and quality of life. Good oral health is being free from tooth decay, tooth loss, periodontal (gum) disease, mouth and facial pain, oral infection and sores, oral and throat cancer and other conditions that limit your biting, chewing, smiling, speaking and psychosocial well-being. Your oral health is closely tied to your overall health. In fact, much research is being conducted into the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, cardiovascular (heart) disease and pneumonia. The two most common oral diseases (dental decay and periodontal disease) are chronic infections that can be prevented. Alberta s registered dental hygienists play a critical role in helping you prevent oral disease. Dental hygienists first provided preventive services in Alberta s classrooms and community health centres in the 1950s. Today, dental hygienists are champions of oral health in a variety of practice settings, with some dental hygienists in private dental hygiene practices providing care to the home-bound and to residents in long-term care facilities. The College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta is the regulatory body for the province s 3,200 practising dental hygienists. It ensures all dental hygienists are registered and deliver top-notch care. The CRDHA sets the practice standards and code of ethics and investigates concerns about professional conduct. Dental hygienists work with every age group from young children to elderly people. They provide advice on preventing oral disease, provide treatment for periodontal disease and screen for dental decay, oral cancer and other oral problems. Through mobile clinics, dental hygienists are reaching Albertans who can t always access care in a traditional dental or dental hygiene practice. To help you connect to oral health services, see the resources listed on page 6. Your Mouth: Where Health Begins 2
Your child s first teeth Good oral health begins long before the first tooth appears From birth, you can be wiping your baby s gums with a clean, damp facecloth. Doing this every day, for example at bath time, helps your baby get used to an oral care routine that becomes increasingly important as your baby grows. Melanie Garrison, a dental hygienist who has worked with children for more than 20 years, warns that pooled milk or formula in an infant s mouth can increase the growth of bacteria and cause tooth decay. Dental problems are the leading reason for children s emergency surgeries, Garrison says. Keeping your child s first set of teeth healthy has lifelong implications. With preventive care, early teeth are less likely to decay, break or need to be removed. Maintaining healthy baby teeth helps with eating, speech development, self-image and the positioning of permanent teeth. Children with less decay will be adults with fewer dental and other health problems, Garrison says. An adult can set a good example for good oral health care habits at home. That includes helping a child brush his teeth until he can do it on his own, around the age of seven or eight. Photo: Kat Gill, Katch Studios Tips for a strong start 1 Start routines early wipe your infant s gums from day one; keep oral hygiene routines throughout childhood. 2 Take charge of the toothbrush parents need to brush their children s teeth from the appearance of their first tooth to the age of seven or eight, when children can do it themselves. 3 See a dental professional a first visit is recommended when your child is one year old or six months after his first tooth appears. 4 Set the example children like to copy the grown-ups in their lives; they need to see you brushing and flossing (and being brave during dental appointments). 5 Eat well set the right path for lifelong good health habits; avoid sugary snack foods and drinks. 6 Play safe wear proper, well-fitted safety gear and mouthguards for all sports and activities to avoid dental injuries (at any age). 7 Prevention is key good oral hygiene is less expensive than repairs or surgeries; ensure your child uses a fluoridated toothpaste. It s the number one way to prevent problems. 8 Seek advice ask a dentist or dental hygienist before introducing fluoride toothpaste to children under age three. If your child is under three, he is at risk of tooth decay and the use of a fluoride toothpaste is recommended. The amount of fluoride toothpaste used only needs to be about the size of a grain of rice. 9 Teach them well for children three years of age and older, place only a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste on their toothbrush. Supervise brushing to discourage swallowing toothpaste. Teach your child to spit out all excess toothpaste after brushing. Your Mouth: Where Health Begins 3
Yours for life Good oral health habits help you keep your teeth healthier, longer Today s aging baby boomers have taken a bite out of the assumption that as you age you will lose teeth and end up with dentures. Not many years ago, many seniors had to face the challenges of using full or partial dentures, says Arlynn Brodie, assistant clinical professor, Dental Hygiene Program, University of Alberta. Today, seniors benefit from the use of fluoride, daily brushing and regular dental hygiene appointments. This is helping them keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. Teresa Bateman, director of Professional Practice with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta, says it is important for nurses to learn from dental hygienists to improve care for older adults oral health. Research shows that improved oral health care for elderly people reduces the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Oral hygiene strategies used by seniors in hospitals and nursing homes can reduce the incidence of pneumonia. Aging doesn t have to mean bad breath, bad teeth or dentures, Brodie says. However, oral care has to be adapted to each new stage of life. Getting help Registered dental hygienists and other health-care professionals can offer older adults and their caregivers advice about coping with: z Limited dexterity: how to use special toothbrushes, picks, inter-dental brushes. z Dry mouth: special toothpastes and mouth rinses to combat dry mouth, which is a side effect of many medications. z Cognitive challenges: training and guidance for helping individuals retrieve their skills. People with dementia have increased risk for dental decay, periodontal disease and oral infections. z Financial support: dental care coverage for which seniors may be eligible (see page 6). z House-bound individuals: accessing dental hygienists who make house calls (see page 6). Oral health care after 60 z Care for your mouth daily z Keep up regular dental appointments z Use fluoridated mouthwash and toothpaste z Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about other products that can strengthen enamel and root surfaces z Ask about fluoride varnish applications z Watch dietary choices and avoid sugary snacks and drinks z Keep your mouth plaque-free z Avoid using tobacco or excessive alcohol z Ask about saliva substitutes for dry mouth. Your Mouth: Where Health Begins 4
Photo: Michael Interisano, Mirror Image Photography oral health is good for our communities Regular care can lead to better health and stronger communities When you look after your mouth, you re healthier, have a higher quality of life and need less medical care. Our communities benefit as well. For example, good oral health helps children do better at school. When children have healthy mouths, they avoid dental pain and can sleep, eat, develop, learn and focus better. In adults, good oral health translates into higher productivity at work and less time away from the job. Alberta s registered dental hygienists are hitting the road to share these messages. We are trying to help people learn about the links between the mouth and overall health, says Denise Kokaram, program lead for Calgary s Alex Dental Health Bus. The bus is equipped with two X-ray machines and a wheelchair lift so dental hygiene care can be taken into the community. Kokaram also works with public and private dental professionals to organize SMILE dental clinics that provide free dental care to underserved children and youth aged six to 24. Everything that is happening in the body is reflected in the mouth, and vice versa, says Alexandra Sheppard, associate clinical professor of the Dental Hygiene Program with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta. An examination by a dental hygienist is part of a patient s care plan. Dental hygiene examinations include screening for: z Oral cancer: Some people have a higher than average risk of developing oral cancer. You could be at a higher risk if you: z smoke, use smokeless tobacco or both z drink alcohol, especially if you are a heavy drinker z have a precancerous condition of the oral cavity, such as leukoplakia, erythroplakia or oral submucous fibrosis z Dental decay: A dental hygienist will determine your risk of developing dental decay and assess the presence of dental decay. z Gingivitis and periodontal disease: These infections of the gums (gingivitis) and bone surrounding the teeth (periodontal disease) can be indicated by bleeding gums and bad breath. Loose teeth are a result of severe periodontal disease. Osteoporosis could be a contributing factor. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, nursing and post-menopause can also make women more susceptible to gingivitis and periodontal disease. z Diet: Healthy food choices positively affect oral health and the development of the teeth and supporting structures. z Oral habits: Thumb-sucking or other oral habits can affect the development of the mouth and teeth. Your Mouth: Where Health Begins 5
Finding help These resources can help you find oral health services where you live. Did you know? z Every time you eat a food that contains sugar, acids are produced that dissolve tooth enamel for 20 minutes. ACROSS ALBERTA Independent dental hygienists z crdha.ca (search independent practitioners) z Registered dental hygienists providing care in stand-alone or mobile settings Alberta Health Services z albertahealthservices.ca (search dental treatment) or call 811 z Dental programs offered by AHS, including eligibility and coverage criteria CALGARY Newcomer support z communityconnectionsfornewcomers. blogspot.ca z A listing of clinics and programs for newcomers and low-income families Mobile services z thealex.ca (click on health programs, then mobile health) z Preventive oral health services for youth in high-needs areas EDMONTON U of A dental and dental hygiene clinics z ualberta.ca (search patient care) z Dental hygiene, implant, dental, orthodontic, pain and pediatric dental clinics run by the School of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Program Boyle McCauley Health Centre z bmhc.net z Free treatment for children and youth without dental insurance z Subsidized services for people living in Boyle Street, MacCauley and Norwood neighbourhoods SENIORS DENTAL PAYMENT COVERAGE Alberta Health z seniors.alberta.ca (search dental plan) z A listing of services and procedures covered by Alberta Health. Includes eligibility criteria for pro-rated dental and vision coverage Alberta Blue Cross z ab.bluecross.ca (search seniors plan) or call 1-800-394-1965 toll-free z Dental and vision plans offered by Alberta Blue Cross FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Low income z albertahealthservices.ca (search community dental, reduced fee) z Services offered by AHS, clinics and fees for low-income Albertans Child health benefit z humanservices.alberta.ca (search child and youth support programs) z 1-877-469-5437 toll-free z Coverage for dental and other services for children under 18 in low-income families Adult health benefit z humanservices.alberta.ca (search Alberta adult health benefit) z Coverage for dental and other services for low-income adults z From 2007 to 2013, about 37,000 Albertans went to an emergency department because of a toothache. z Human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer and genital warts, is related to oral cancer and is a growing risk to older adults. In Alberta, HPV vaccines are available to girls and women from nine to 45 years old and to boys and men nine to 26 years old. Project editorial council Arlynn Brodie, registered dental hygienist and assistant clinical professor in the Dental Hygiene Program, University of Alberta Teresa Bateman, licensed practical nurse and director of Professional Practice, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta Sharon M. Compton, registered dental hygienist and professor, director and associate chair of the Dental Hygiene Program, University of Alberta Darlene Fraser, registered dental hygienist and Member Services coordinator, College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta Cindi de Graaff, registered dental hygienist, registered dental assistant and Oral Health team lead, Population, Public and Aboriginal Health, Alberta Health Services Melanie Garrison, public health registered dental hygienist Barbara Gitzel, registered dental hygienist and clinical professor, Dental Hygiene Program, University of Alberta Denise Kokaram, registered dental hygienist and Alex Dental Health Bus program lead Alexandra Sheppard, registered dental hygienist and associate clinical professor and assistant director, Dental Hygiene Program, University of Alberta Brenda Walker, registered dental hygienist and registar, College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta Your Mouth: Where Health Begins 6