Oxford College Library

Is Obesity an Oral Bacterial Disease?

2009-07-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

Oral healthcare could hold the key to beating obesity according to new dental research. The UK's leading oral health charity has reminded the public of the importance of good dental hygiene after studies published in the June's Journal of Dental Research revealed further potential systemic links between oral health and overall health.

The British Dental Health Foundation has long campaigned on the importance of oral healthcare. Now scientists have suggested bacteria in our mouths could play a direct part in causing obesity.

Studies of over 500 women, 300 of whom were clinically obese, found that of 40 kinds bacteria tested one species - selenomonas noxia - was present at levels of more than 1% of total bacteria in 98% of the overweight group. This bacteria has previously been linked with the development of gum disease.

Further research will now investigate the importance of these infectionary agents as indicators of and potential causes of obesity.

Foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said: "Though this information represents very early stages of research it is another fascinating example of the potential overall health links related to our oral health.

"It is uncertain whether people may become obese due to changes in the bacteria in their mouths or whether these changes occur as a result of obesity. What impact changing the bacterial make up may have on helping to reduce obesity is certainly worth additional research.

"There are hundreds of bacteria in our mouths at any one time, contributing to the most common dental hygiene issue - gum disease.

"Alongside posing risks of causing tooth loss if left unchecked, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and premature births.

"Our advice to the public is to take simple steps to best look after your oral health by brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on sugary snacks and drinks which harm you oral health and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend."

You can read the full text of the article from the Journal of Dental Research here.

Nutrition in Dentistry CD-ROM

2009-07-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

We added to the library collection a new CD-ROM entitlted Nutrition in Dentistry, by Linda Lolkus and Mary Cooper.

This interactive CD-ROM provides dental hygiene students with information on nutrition and its dental implications. It can be used for self-study, as an adjunct to a text, and as a review tool for the national board examinations.

The CD-ROM contains numerous illustrations, not available through any other source, of clinical/oral manifestations of nutritional deficiencies. Students can compare and contrast similar symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and their causes. Also included are animations showing processes related to nutrition and dentistry. Each unit begins with a subject outline and ends with board review questions, answers, and rationales.

You can find on Audio-Visual Table in the Library, under the call number RK 281 .L657 2008

Dental Radiographic Errors

2009-07-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

These websites will give readers information and images of errors made on dental radiographs:

Fundamentals of Dental Radiology - has a section on faulty radiographs

Oral Radiology course - from Ohio State University. Has PPT lectures on Processing Errors, Bitewing and Parallel Technique Errors, and Bisecting Angle and Panoramic Technique Errors.

Panoramic Technique Errors - PPT, also from Ohio State University

Focusing on the Image - article with images of panoramic errors from Dimensions of Dental Hygiene

The quality of panoramic radiographs in a sample of general dental practices - article from the British Dental Journal - has no images, but some useful information about common errors

The Role of CRC in Clinical Research

2009-06-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

The Role of CRC in Clinical Research

Two new books for Dental Hygiene program

2009-06-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

The latest additions to the library collection are:

Ethics and Law in Dental Hygiene, 2nd Edition, by Phyllis L. Beemsterboer - KF 2910 .D3 2010

This book is written in the context of "real-world" situations that you will encounter on a regular basis in dental hygiene practice. The book is divided into three sections: ethics, law, and simulations and applications. The latter section contains 25 case studies with accompanying discussion and thought questions, along with testlets that mirror the style of the newly revised National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and suggested activities. Appendixes include the recently revised American Dental Association (ADA) and American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA) respective codes of ethics, making this the most up-to-date ethics book for dental hygiene currently on the market. With this expert guidance, you’ll be prepared to take the NBDHE and address ethical dilemmas in everyday practice.

Saunders Review of Dental Hygiene, 2nd Edition, by Margaret J. Fehrenbach and Jane Weiner - RK 60.7 .N44 2009

This bestselling resource now reflects the new case-based format of the national exam along with content that covers new guidelines, especially in the areas of infection control and pharmacology. As you prepare and practice for your exam, you will find multiple ways to study with over 60 clinical case studies, and 1,500 plus questions. The accompanying CD-ROM includes an electronic, simulated exam as well as other interactive-review activities, such as crossword puzzles and word finds.

Health Reports, from Statisitics Canada

2009-06-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Health Reports, published by Statistics Canada, is a peer-reviewed journal of population health and health services research. It is designed for health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the general public. The journal publishes articles of wide interest that contain original and timely analyses of national or provincial/territorial surveys or administrative databases. New articles are published electronically each month. Some of the more interesting ones include:

Edentulism and denture use

Dental consultations

Dental insurance and use of dental services

Diabetes: Prevalence and care practices

Cancer prevalence in the Canadian population

For more articles and information about this journal, please go to:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/4060784-eng.htm

Mobile Oral Health Care in New Zealand

2009-06-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

New Model Of Oral Health Care
25 May 2009
Scoop.co.nz

New Zealand's Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne, today in Ashburton, officially opened the first of 94 mobile dental surgeries that will be introduced as part of a nationwide upgrade of oral health services for New Zealand communities.

As well as opening the mobile clinic, Mr Dunne and Canterbury District Health Board Deputy Chair Dr Olive Webb, also officially opened Canterbury's first community dental clinic at the Oakgrove Consulting Rooms at Ashburton Hospital.

CDHB will spend $13.3 million over the next three years upgrading its Community Dental Service for children at primary and intermediate school. The upgrade will see most of the region&'s 120 school dental clinics replaced by 12 ‘multi-chair' community clinics, supported by 18 campervan-style mobile clinics.

Sixteen of Canterbury&'s 18 mobile clinics will visit schools in the CDHB area from Ashburton to Rangiora. The other two mobile clinics will provide a full range of dental treatment for children in rural areas, including the Hurunui district and the area on State Highway 72 from Oxford in North Canterbury to Mayfield in Mid Canterbury.

Under the new system, the mobile clinics will see children for check ups. If they need further dental work, such as fillings, children will attend one of 12 community clinics, which will be opened in stages over the next three years.

Work is beginning on other community dental clinics at Hillmorton in Christchurch and Kaiapoi and Rangiora. Other clinics will be located at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae, Woolston, Hornby, Burnside, Northcote and Lincoln. Sites for the clinics were chosen based on the areas with the highest need for dental care and after discussions with schools and other interested parties.

Community Dental Service Clinical Director Martin Lee said the Community Dental Service upgrade would improve oral health services for young people in Canterbury.

A review of the old school dental service had shown that it was often hampered by ageing equipment and buildings. The way the service was being delivered through the old school dental clinics also no longer met community needs.

Dental therapists working in the clinics were among the biggest advocates of the need for change, he said.

"We are very proud of this first new community dental facility in Canterbury. The old clinics were past their used by date and were more focussed on treating decay, rather than preventing it. The new clinics will allow us to focus more on preventative care and to improve the oral health of young people."

All children under 18 in the CDHB area are eligible for free dental care. Once children reach high school, they are able to register with a private dentist who will provide free services until they are 18. "High school children will continue to be offered a comprehensive service by private dentists. Ashburton dentists provide a very good service for high school children," Dr Lee said.

Latest Dental Hygiene journals in Library

2009-06-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

Over the last few days we received a number of new issues of Dental Hygiene journals. They include:

The May-June 2009 issue of the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene:

"How understanding pscyhiatric illness can help clinicians porivideoptimal oral health care"

"Use of removable partial dentures and progression of periodontal disease"

"Mobile dental hygiene practice: What are the specific challenges?"

"Online continuing education for dental hygienists"

The May 2009 issue of RDH Magazine :

"Leveraging Evidence: How big a role will dental hygiene have in evidence-based dentistry"

"The dance of life: Hygienist uses meditation to help patients find balance in life"

"To Polish or Not to Polish: Rethinking the concept of selective polishing"

"Creating hope with dental implant theory"

"The heart of...An emphasis on communication brings a touch of psychology into our jobs"

"Biofilm Removal: The water jet's battle against an old foe"

"It's refractory: What exactly does that mean?" - article deals with periodontal disease

"Oral Exams: Lichen planus of the lip"

"Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Dental Offices"

We also received the May/June issue of Dispatch (Royal College of Dental Surgeons) and the May issue of Hygienetown (which is now included as part of the magazine Dentaltown).

Also, the May issue of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene is now available online. You can access it at http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/ddhright.aspx?id=4648

It includes the following articles:

"The Power of Whitening" - This case report illustrates the effects of in-office power whitening on the dentition of a young patient seeking a brighter, whiter smile.

"Focus on Toothbrushes" - This reference guide details many of the toothbrushes now on the market, including such information as handle and bristle design.

"Expanding Your Instrument Armamentarium" - The use of extended shank, area-specific instruments in nonsurgical periodontal therapy.

"Starting Out Right" - The importance of infant oral health care and disease management.

"The Oral Implications of Rett Syndrome" - What clinicians need to know when treating this special patient population.

"Facing the Caries Challenge" - John D.B. Featherstone talks to Dimensions about the efficacy of fluoride varnish

International Journal of Dental Hygiene

2009-05-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

The first issue (February 2009) of this year's International Journal of Dental Hygiene is now available for free. Click on on the articles to read the full text:

Halitosis among racially diverse populations: an update

Attitudes of South African oral hygienists towards compulsory community service

Spanish dental hygienist attitudes to dental radiological protection: assessment of a 1-day pilot course

A survey on misunderstanding of dental scaling in Hong Kong

Evaluation of a 7-year school-based community dental hygiene programme in Portugal by high school teachers

Microbiological evaluation and antibiotic susceptibility of dental unit water systems in general dental practice

Legionella pneumophila contamination of a dental unit water line system in a dental teaching centre

Dental unit water: bacterial decontamination of old and new dental units by flushing water

A randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of professional oral care by dental hygienists

False gingival enlargement as a diagnostic problem: a case report

Super bugs: super problems

The second issue of this year's journal (May 2008) is also published, and the Library can provide you with copies of any article. They include:

Growth factors in periodontal regeneration

Bisphosphonate-related jaw necrosis: A team approach management and prevention

Child abuse and dental neglect: the dental team's role in identification and prevention

Factors affecting oral health-related quality of life among pregnant women

Public awareness and social acceptability of dental therapists

Gingival recession: epidemiology and risk indicators in a university dental hospital in Turkey

Increase in detectable opportunistic bacteria in the oral cavity of orthodontic patients

Comparison of the effects of pilocarpine and cevimeline on salivary flow

The analysis of oral air using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry in persons with and without a history of oral malodour

A study to evaluate the relationship between periodontitis, cardiovascular disease and serum lipid levels

A review of anticoagulation intensity and outcomes among patients prescribed oral anticoagulant therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Colour Atlas of Common Oral Diseases

2009-05-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

We have just added to the collection a new edition of Colour Atlas of Common Oral Diseases, by Robert Langlais, Craig Miller and Jill Nield-Gehrig. This fourth edition has been thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded with over 650 high-quality color photographs and radiographic illustrations of oral disease to help you recognize and identify oral diseases. It presents clinical and radiographic features of common diseases found in the oral cavity according to location, color, surface change, and radiographic appearance.

You can find in the books section under the call number RC 815 .L35 2009

Frequently Asked Questions about Plagiarism

2009-05-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

You've already heard the warnings about plagiarism. Obviously it's against the rules to buy essays or copy chunks from your friend's homework, and it's also plagiarism to borrow passages from books or articles or Web sites without identifying them. You know that the purpose of any paper is to show your own thinking, not create a patchwork of borrowed ideas. But you may still be wondering how you're supposed to give proper references to all the reading you've done and all the ideas you've encountered.

The point of documenting sources in academic papers is not just to avoid unpleasant visits to the Director's office, but to demonstrate that you know what is going on in your field of study. It's also a courtesy to your readers because it helps them consult the material you've found. That's especially important for Internet sources. So mentioning what others have said doesn't lessen the credit you get for your own thinking—in fact, it adds to your credibility.

That's not to say that questions about ownership of ideas are simple. For one thing, the different systems for typing up references are admittedly a nuisance. But the real challenge is establishing the relationship of your thinking to the reading you've done (yes, that includes the Internet). Here are some common questions and basic answers.

1. Can't I avoid problems just by listing every source in the bibliography?

No, you need to integrate your acknowledgements into what you're saying. Give the reference as soon as you've mentioned the idea you're using, not just at the end of the paragraph. It's often a good idea to name the authors ("X says" and "Y argues against X,") and then indicate your own stand ("A more inclusive perspective, however, . . . ").

2. If I put the ideas into my own words, do I still have to clog up my pages with all those names and numbers?

Sorry—yes, you do. In academic papers, you need to keep mentioning authors and pages and dates to show how your ideas are related to those of the experts. It's sensible to use your own words because that saves space and lets you connect ideas smoothly. But whether you quote a passage directly in quotation marks, paraphrase it closely in your own words, or just summarize it rapidly, you need to identify the source then and there. (That applies to Internet sources too: you still need author and date as well as title and URL.)

3. But I didn't know anything about the subject until I started this paper. Do I have to give an acknowledgement for every point I make?

You're safer to over-reference than to skimp. But you can cut down the clutter by recognizing that some ideas are "common knowledge" in the field—that is, taken for granted by people knowledgeable about the topic. Facts easily found in standard reference books are considered common knowledge: that brushing your teeth often helps your oral health, or that . You don't need to name a specific source for them, even if you learned them only when doing your research. In some disciplines, information covered in class lectures doesn't need acknowledgement. Some interpretive ideas may also be so well accepted that they don't need referencing: that Picasso is a distinguished modernist painter, for instance, or that smoking is harmful to health. Check with your instructor if you're in doubt whether a specific point is considered common knowledge in your field.

How can I tell what's my own idea and what has come from somebody else?

Careful record-keeping helps. Always write down the author, title and publication information (including the URL and other identifying information for web pages) so you can attach names and dates to specific ideas. Taking good notes is also essential. Don't paste passages from webpages into your draft: that's asking for trouble. As you read any text—online or on the page—summarize useful points in your own words. If you record a phrase or sentence you might want to quote, put quotation marks around it in your notes to remind yourself that you're copying the author's exact words. And make a deliberate effort as you read to notice connections among ideas, especially contrasts and disagreements, and also to jot down questions or thoughts of your own. If you find as you write that you're following one or two of your sources too closely, deliberately look back in your notes for other sources that take different views; then write about the differences and why they exist.

So what exactly do I have to document?

With experience reading academic prose, you'll soon get used to the ways writers in your field refer to their sources. Here are the main times you should give acknowledgements. (You'll notice many different formats in these examples. See the file on Standard Documentation Formats for advice on these systems.)

Quotations, paraphrases, or summaries: If you use the author's exact words, enclose them in quotation marks, or indent passages of more than four lines. But it's seldom worthwhile to use long quotations. In literary studies, quote a few words of the work you're analysing and comment on them. In other disciplines, quote only when the original words are especially memorable. In most cases, use your own words to paraphrase or summarize the idea you want to discuss, emphasizing the points relevant to your argument. But be sure to name sources even when you are not using the exact original words.

Specific facts used as evidence for your argument or interpretation: First consider whether the facts you're mentioning are "common knowledge" according to the definition in point 3 above; if so, you may not need to give a reference. But when you're relying on facts that might be disputed within your discipline—perhaps newly published data—establish that they're trustworthy by showing that you got them from an authoritative source.

Distinctive or authoritative ideas, whether you agree with them or not: The way you introduce a reference can indicate your attitude and lead into your own argument.

Dental Anatomy Videos

2009-04-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

The University of Michigan's School of Dentistry has put online a series of videos about dental anatomy. The videos date from the 1970s and 80s, but are still considered to be scientifically sound.

Podacsts about Clinical Research and Clinical Trials

2009-04-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

Medical University of South Carolina Health Podcasts

In this podcast, Rebekah Whichard, the Clinical Trials Coordinator for the MUSC Digestive Disease Center, explains the entire process of a clinical trial, how new medications are used, the length of the trial to receive FDA approval for the medications and the benefits for the patients. A good introductory podcast.

Clinical Trials for Liver Cancer Patients

Dr. Melanie Thomas is an expert in the field of liver cancer. In this podcast Dr. Thomas describes the process of participating in a clinical trial and the safeguards that are in place to protect a patient's health and privacy. She describes the phases of study for medication approval and what the role of a placebo medication is in a clinical trial, particularly in trials of cancer chemotherapy.

Applied Clinical Trials

Applied Clinical Trials has several podcasts posted on its website dealing with Clinical Research, which can be downloaded or listened to online:

New Approaches to Diabetes Trials

Covers the topics: Role of Imaging Labs in Diabetes Trials, Subjects for Diabetes Clinical Trials, Managing Data for Diabetes Research, Conducting Diabetes Clinical Trials, Drug Development for Diabetes, and Current State of Diabetes. Each podcast is about 20 to 30 minutes long, and includes commercials.

eCTD: Learn from Early Adopters

Implementation of the electronic Common Technical Document or eCTD is still early on the adoption curve within the pharmaceutical industry. Regulatory professionals will be interested to hear the insights from participants of an eCTD Early Adopters. Five episodes in this series.

Ins and Outs of Comparator Sourcing

A two-part podacasdt about sourcing strategies for drugs in clinical trials and how it can be achieved more effectively and strategically.

Global Trial Considerations

Viq Pervaaz, VP, Global Project Management MDS Pharma Services, speaks about the challenges associated with clinical trials in China.

The Association of Academic Health Centers

The AAHC has several podcasts dealing with clinical trials as part of its Conversations Podcasts series.

Clinical Trials

Learn about the breakthrough work of the Budgeting and Billing Workgroup of the AAHC’s Forum on Regulation in our first podcast. The group is developing a functional process map for billing and budgeting that will improve and enhance compliance operations in our institutions. Nick Gaich, Chief Operating Officer,Stanford/Packard Center for Translational Research in Medicine, and David Haray,Vice President, Patient Financial Services, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, and workgroup co-chairs from Stanford University, discuss how the group is identifying and defining required skill sets and competencies in the functions associated with billing compliance as well as the critical business requirements that will be required for a comprehensive IT solution. The group is working at top speed with incredible dedication, and Nick and David focus on how essential clinical trial budgeting, billing, and IT are to improving academic health center operations.

Clinical Trials: A Map For The Future

Members of the AAHC Forum on Regulation discuss their impressions of the work that the Forum is doing to develop a toolkit for institutions to help streamline regulatory compliance in clinical trials.

Changing Clinical Trials

AAHC Forum on Regulation Co-Chairs, Nick Gaich, Chief Operating Officer, Stanford/Packard Center for Translational Research in Medicine, and David Haray,Vice President, Patient Financial Services, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, discuss the ground breaking work of the Forum.

Leadership and Clinical Trials

Dr. Stephanie Spangler, Deputy Provost for Biomedical and Health Affairs, Yale University, speaks about the important benefits of having organization-wide support for clinical trial compliance.

Science Magazine

The journal Science had a special issue on Clinical Trials in October 2008. Its online version includes this podcast, which is an interview with David Malakoff on the spiraling costs that are threatening gridlock for clinical trials in the United States.

Integrated Clinical Trial Services (ICTS)

How Site Selection Impacts Clinical Trials

In the podcast, Dr. David M. Shearer, chief medical officer and vice president of clinical operations at ICTS, discusses how effective site selection can positively affect clinical trials, and the company’s process for investigating and selecting sites.

Recruitment And Retention For In-Hospital Trials

Strategies For Patient Compliance

PharmaVOICE

Pharmavoice offers dozens of podcasts dealing with pharmaceutical products and procedures, some of which are about clinical research:

Global Clinical Trials Outsourcing: New Tips and Trends

Redefining the CRO

The Clinical Data Liaison: The Key to Better, Faster Clinical Trials

Learn Clinical Research

2009-03-02T05:15:00.001-08:00

Our college has just set up a new website to promote our Clinical Research program. You can find it at LearnClinicalResearch.ca

Oral health-related quality of life among HIV-infected and at-risk women

2009-01-30T06:55:00.001-08:00

HIV/AIDS; McGill University publishes research in HIV/AIDS
5 January 2009
AIDS Weekly

"Objective measures of dental diseases reflect only their clinical end-point. There is a need to use multidimensional measures of diseases that consider their psychosocial aspects and functional impact," researchers in Montreal, Canada report.

"The aim of this study is to compare the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) between a group of HIV-infected women and a similar group of at-risk HIV-uninfected women, and to investigate the role of potential confounding clinical oral health and behavioral factors. Our sample included HIV-infected women (87%) and women at risk for HIV infection (13%) followed up for 5.5 years. OHRQOL was measured using the short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), which is a validated and reliable instrument. HIV-infected women averaged 10% poorer OHRQOL than HIV-uninfected women; this difference was not apparent after adjusting for the number of study visits attended and significant behavioral and clinical oral health factors. The OHRQOL was inversely related to dental and periodontal diseases and to smoking and freebase cocaine use; these relationships were not confounded by HIV status," wrote S. Li and colleagues, McGill University.

The researchers concluded: "The study identified specific clinical and behavioral factors where dental professionals can intervene to possibly improve the OHRQOL of HIV-infected or at-risk HIV-uninfected women."

Li and colleagues published their study in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (Oral health-related quality of life among HIV-infected and at-risk women. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 2008;36(6):542-548).

For additional information, contact P.J. Allison, McGill University, Faculty Dental, 3640 University St., Montreal, PQ H3A 2B2, Canada.

Publisher contact information for the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

New study on pregnancy and periodontal disease

2009-01-30T06:46:00.000-08:00

Health Reporter
BY SHERYL UBELACKER
29 January 2009
The Canadian Press

There's an old saying that mothers "lose a tooth for every baby." While the tooth-loss bit may be merely folklore, it's true that pregnancy can affect a woman's oral health, including exacerbating existing gum disease.

But contrary to another long-held suspicion, a major new study has found that treating pregnant women for periodontal disease does not lower their risk of premature birth or other fetal complications.

"Numerous studies have shown an association between periodontal disease in pregnant women and adverse pregnancy outcomes, which include premature deliveries, obstetric complications like pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction," said Dr. Steven Offenbacher, a professor of periodontal medicine at the University of North Carolina and principal investigator of the study.

"And in particular, mothers who showed disease progression during pregnancy - and about one in four mothers get quite a bit worse during pregnancy - are seen to be at the highest risk," he said Thursday from Chapel Hill, N.C.

Gum, or periodontal, disease is caused by a bacterial infection that attacks the teeth-supporting tissues below the gum line. Left untreated, it can lead to the loss of teeth and underlying bone. Standard treatment involves scaling and root planing to remove bacteria-induced deposits (calculus and plaque) from the surfaces of teeth.

The study of 1,800 pregnant women with periodontal disease, the largest of its type ever conducted, assigned half of participants to have treatment before 23 weeks' gestation, while the remainder had no treatment.

"We found that mothers who had a scaling and root planing to treat their periodontal disease did not have reduced risk of pre-term delivery," Offenbacher said. "This would suggest that scaling and root planing, although it may improve the periodontal health of the mothers, has no effect on pregnancy outcome. Dead stop."

The study, conducted at the University or North Carolina and three other U.S. academic centres, also found that treatment in many of the mothers-to-be did not arrest progression of their gum disease.

"In the untreated mothers, 40 per cent got significantly worse," Offenbacher said. "And in the treated group, 30 per cent of them got significantly worse. I think at this point we don't really know the best way to treat periodontal disease in pregnant women, because we're still having a lot of disease progression."

However, that doesn't mean that pregnant women with gum disease should put off having their teeth and gums checked, and having treatment as needed, said co-author Dr. Amy Murtha, director of obstetrics research at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

"Our study emphasizes that treating periodontal disease during pregnancy is safe, but that standard periodontal care is not enough," Murtha, who presented the findings Thursday at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in San Diego, said in a release.

It's possible, the researchers suggest, that pregnant women may need more aggressive treatment for gum disease, beyond the standard care provided in the study, to bring down the rate of premature delivery.

Murtha said much remains unknown about the link between gum disease and the increased risk for pre-term birth and low-weight babies. "Periodontal disease and poor pregnancy outcomes travel together, but we don't know why."

Offenbacher said changes in hormone levels and a somewhat lowered immune response may allow oral bacteria to flourish and exaggerate the body's inflammatory response. But he said more studies are needed to fully explain the connection.

Commenting on the U.S. study, Dr. Benoit Soucy of the Canadian Dental Association said the findings are not surprising because the association between pregnancy and gum disease is "a very, very complex issue."

"The reason they're not surprising to us is that there is no mechanism that has been identified to link periodontal disease to premature birth or small birth weight," Soucy, the association's director of clinical scientific affairs, said from Ottawa. "There could be there is an underlying process that is masked by other factors, and that is very likely because periodontal disease is extremely common. According to the best numbers that we have ... there would be as much as 70 per cent of the population that is affected by periodontal disease at one time or another."

Any woman who is considering getting pregnant should have a dental exam and regular monitoring during pregnancy because of the bumped-up risk for either developing gum problems or making existing disease even worse, he said. "There is no good general health if your mouth is not healthy. It is very important no matter what to keep your mouth in good health."

The oral health status of patients on oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis

2009-01-30T06:43:00.001-08:00

Osteoporosis; Scientists at University of Adelaide publish new data on osteoporosis
22 January 2009
Women's Health Weekly

According to recent research from Adelaide, Australia, "The oral health status of patients on bisphosphonates is the key to the patient's ongoing health and well-being. If they are orally healthy, invasive bone procedures, particularly extractions can be avoided, then the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) is low."

"The records of 49 consecutive patients on oral bisphosphonates, referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit (OMSU) for an oral health check and probable extractions, were retrospectively reviewed. The DMFT, periodontal and pathologic state were calculated from the OPG radiographs. An age and gender matched control group, from patients referred to the OMSU but who were not on oral bisphosphonates, were similarly assessed. Community data were also obtained. The DMFT score for the oral bisphosphonate group was 29: Decayed 3, Missing 10, Filled 16. The control group DMFT score was 24: Decayed 5, Missing 11, Filled 8. Both groups had advanced periodontal disease (over 95 per cent) and were medically compromised (over 90 per cent). The DMFT for general community data for age matched government pensioners was 19.1: Decayed 0.8, Missing 10.4, Filled 7.9. With severe periodontal disease 23 per cent. Thus, the oral health of the oral bisphosphonate group was similar to the control group and both had more decayed teeth and periodontal disease than community values. This study confirms that one cannot assume that a patient on an oral bisphosphonate for osteoporosis has a healthy mouth," wrote R. Kunchur and colleagues, University of Adelaide.

The researchers concluded: "It supports the view that all patients on bisphosphonates need to be seen by a dentist either before or soon after commencement of bisphosphonate therapy."

Kunchur and colleagues published their study in Australian Dental Journal (. Australian Dental Journal, 2008;53(4):354-357).

For additional information, contact R. Kunchur, University of Adelaide, Faculty Health Science, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

Publisher contact information for the Australian Dental Journal is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

Canadian tooth fairy takes message of dental hygiene to Kenyan kids

2009-01-30T06:39:00.000-08:00

Canadian tooth fairy takes message of dental hygiene to Kenyan kids
Michelle Magnan
26 January 2009
Victoria Times Colonist

A former dental hygienist who reinvented herself as "Toothena the Tooth Fairy" for a children's book she wrote has spread her wings to Kenya to hand out 4,000 toothbrushes to kids in need.

It was the maiden voyage for the charity CoraMarie Clark of Calgary founded in late 2007, called The Tooth Fairy Children's Foundation. The foundation recently received its official charitable status.

"My goal is to get toothbrushes into the hands of all children. And if they end up getting a cavity, I want somebody there to help them have it taken care of," says Clark.

"In developing countries, 90 per cent of decay goes untreated. (Learning that) just ripped my heart out and I thought, 'I need to do something to try to make a difference.' "

The 52-year-old has an MBA from the University of Calgary and is a dental consultant for practices across North America. But dressed in her light-pink gown, wand and tiara, Clark glows as Toothena, the real-life version of the animated heroine in her self-published children's book, Emily's Magical Journey with Toothena the Tooth Fairy (2007, $22.95).

Clark donned her costume every time she spoke at a school or orphanage in Kenya and, months after her October trip, still gets teary speaking about the kids she met along the way.

Many times, the kids receiving the toothbrushes had never owned their own toothbrush and were used to sharing.

"At an orphanage for boys, there was a peanut butter jar with the oldest, most awful-looking toothbrushes I've ever seen. It made my stomach turn," she says.

"It was just amazing to give them (each) a new toothbrush."

For more information, visit thetoothfairyspeaks. com.

TOOTHENA'S TIPS FOR PARENTS

Caring for your child's teeth from a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of good oral health, Cora Marie Clark, otherwise known as Toothena, says. Here are her tips to ensure you and your kids have healthy, pearly whites:

- Set a good example by brushing and flossing your own teeth. Make toothbrushing a fun, bonding experience with your kids.

- Your child's teeth need to be brushed at least twice a day and flossed at least once a day, especially right before bedtime.

- Begin cleaning your child's teeth as soon as the first one appears. start with a cloth or piece of gauze and move on to a toothbrush as your child gets older.

- Don't share toothbrushes. If you have periodontal disease, it can be passed on to the child.

- Begin flossing your child's teeth when he is three or four years old. Flossing is important because no matter how meticulously you brush, when the teeth are touching each other, toothbrush bristles can't clean effectively between them.

- Plan to floss your kids' teeth until they are about eight years old. Children usually don't have the manual dexterity to floss on their own until that age.

- Your baby's first visit to the dentist should be for an assessment within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or by the time the infant reaches the first birthday. The goal is to have your child see your dentist before there are any problems with his/her teeth.

- Your child's first dental exam should happen by age two or three. This visit will allow the dentist to ensure your home care is working and to detect and prevent any problems right away.

- Help your child feel comfortable about a visit to the dentist. Read books, such as the Berenstein Bears go to the Dentist or Emily's Magical Journey With Toothena the Tooth Fairy. Consider bringing him along to your own checkup and cleaning, to familiarize him with how much fun a visit to the dentist can be.

Substance Use and Its Impact on Dental Hygiene Treatment

2008-12-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

We just want to direct readers' attention to an article posted by the Maryland Dental Hygienists Association: Substance Use and Its Impact on Dental Hygiene Treatment, by Gwen Grosso and Renee Prajer, from the May 2007 issue of JPH.

You can access the article at: www.maryland-dha.org/SubstanceUse-071907.pdf

Journal of Dental Hygiene, October 2008

2008-12-16T06:42:00.000-08:00

The October 2008 issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene has been published. You can ask the librarian for a copy of any of the following articles:

Cetylpyridinium Chloride Mouth rinse on Gingivitis and Plaque

Survey of Diabetes Knowledge and Practices of Dental Hygienists

Mouthguards in the American Hockey League [AHL]

Clinical and antibacterial effectiveness of three different sealant materials

Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children: An Ounce of Prevention -- A Pound of Cure

2008-11-18T08:36:00.000-08:00

The Ontario Dental Association released a report today entitled: Tooth Decay in Ontario's Children: An Ounce of Prevention -- A Pound of Cure. You can download the report, along with supporting powerpoint presentations at:

http://www.youroralhealth.ca/index.php/Special-Reports/Tooth-Decay-in-Ontario/Tooth-Decay-in-Ontario-s-Children-Special-Report.html

Boy's Death Leads to Better Access to Dental Care for Other Children

2008-11-17T07:08:00.000-08:00

Children in Prince George's County will have better access to dental care after the death of a 12-year-old pushed lawmakers and the medical community to examine the issue.

New dental articles and monographs in the Library

2008-11-13T07:23:00.000-08:00

We added several new articles to the cabinet file today, covering different dental hygiene topics:

Medical emergencies in dental practice – be prepared! – from Dental Health, Sept 2008

Which patients – The oral health benefits of probiotics – from Dental Health, Sept 2008

Pulpotomies in primary teeth – a review – from Dental Health, Nov 2008

Oral manifestations of alcohol abuse – from Dental Health, Nov 2008

Delivering Better Oral Health – An Evidence-Based Toolkit for Prevention: A Review – from Dental Update, Sept 2008

Training Health Professionals to Address the Oral Health Care of Older Adults – from Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Fall 2008

Management of Elderly Diabetic Patients - from Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Fall 2008

Clinical Tips for Treating Elderly Patients - from Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Fall 2008

Xerostomia: The Invisible Oral Health Condition - from Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Fall 2008

Oral Side Effects of Isotretinoin Chronic Intake – from NYSDJ, June 2008

Meth Mouth – from NYSDJ, August 2008

Management of Dental Patients with Obstructive Lung Diseases – from Texas Dental Journal, March 2008

Parental Attitudes Regarding Behavior Guidance of Dental Patients with Autism – Pediatric Dentistry, Sept 2008

Flouride Varnish in the Prevention of Dental Caries in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review – from Texas Dental Journal, April 2008

Tooth Whitening: A Clinical Review – from Texas Dental Journal, July 2008

We also added a copy the International Dental Journal, Vol.58, No.4 (Suppl. 1) (August 2008) – which are the proceedings of a symposium on Diabetes and Oral Health. It includes 4 articles on the topic. You can find this with the books under the call number RA 645 .D5 I7 2008

Elfenbaum-Kamen Essay Award Contest

2008-11-03T12:35:00.000-08:00

The annual Elfenbaum-Kamen Essay Award Contest is open to all predoctoral dental students, dental hygiene students and those completing a degree in dental hygiene in the US or Canada. Students are invited to submit a well-referenced original work focusing on the oral health of older adults.

Download the 2009 Brochure.

Submission deadline February 2, 2009.

Dental Health in the News

2008-10-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent news stories related to dental health:

Super Suckers Could Help Kids' Teeth

Some Dental Implants May Contain Lead, Investigation Reveals

ToothIQ

Nutrition for Dummies

2008-10-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

Nutrition for Dummies is a one-size-fits-all guide to nutrition for anyone who may have fallen asleep in health class, wants to brush up on what they already know, or is looking to keep up-to-speed on all the latest guidelines and research. It shows you how to manage your diet so you can get the most bang (nutrients) for your buck (calories) and gives you the skinny on how to put together a healthy shopping list, how to prepare foods that are good for the body and the soul, and ten easy ways you can cut calories.
An electronic copy of this book is available online at http://www.badongo.com/file/10323810. You can also ask the librarian for a PDF file of the book.

Basic Clinical Trial Terms Explained

2008-10-20T11:59:00.001-07:00

Basic Clinical Trial Terms Explained with Pictures - Upload a Document to Scribd

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (16th Edition)

2008-10-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (16th Ed) - Upload a Document to Scribd

Anatomical Terms and Their Derivation

2008-10-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

Anatomical Terms and Their Derivation (2007) - Upload a Document to Scribd

Food and Health in Europe: A New Basis for Action

2008-10-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

Food and Health in Europe, A New Basis for Action - Upload a Document to Scribd

Critically Analyzing Research Resources

2008-10-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

Critically Analyzing Research Resources

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

Dental Office Management - Online Documents

2008-10-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Personal Health Information Protection Act and You - http://www.ipc.on.ca/images/Resources/up-health_e.pdf

A Guide to the Personal Health Information Protection Act - http://www.ipc.on.ca/images/Resources/hguide-e.pdf

A Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act - http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/ohsaguide/

Resume Writing Tips

2008-10-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

How To Make A Resume - Resume Writing Tips To Attain Your Dream Job

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: help make)

Resume Writing

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

Also check out:

http://www.rdhmag.com/jobs/article/295678

http://www.rdhmag.com/jobs/article/292502

http://www.rockportinstitute.com/resumes.html

http://www.aroj.com/sample-Medical/Dental-Hygienist-(B)-Resume.html

Anatomy & Physiology

2008-09-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Here are a series of videos created by Scott Ford of www.mrfordsclass.net, which deals with Anatomy & Physiology. After the first video, you will find the others mainly deal with understanding the broad terminology associated with this science.

How To Survive Your Anatomy And Physiology Class

Anatomical Directional Terms

Body Cavities

The planes of the body

Fundamental Terms

Early Childhood Caries

2008-09-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a video on the topic:

Other online resources for this topic include:

Early Childhood Caries: A Medical & Dental Perspective - online continuing education course

Early Childhood Caries - a special issue of Journal de l'Ordre des dentistes du Quebec

Ergonomics and the Dental Care Worker

2008-09-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

We photocopied three articles from the book Ergonomics and the Dental Care Worker, edited by Denise C. Murphy:

"Musculoskeletal Problems among Dental Hygienists: A Canadian Study"

"Posture for Dental Hygiene Practice"

"Ergonomically Correct Design Concepts of a Functioning Dental Office"

You can find all three articles in the Cabinet File under the Dental Hygiene Theory I folder.

Modern Hygienist Magazine

2008-09-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

Dental Hygiene students might want to check out a new magazine: Modern Hygienist. It looks to be very much like RDH and Hygienetown, with a mix of articles related to medical topics, professional practice, business issues, and more. The first issue is available here:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/advanstar/mh_200808/

Their website also has a lot of exclusive material too. It can be found at: http://www.dprworld.com/mh/magazine

Videos on Plagiarism

2008-08-29T07:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a set of videos on What is Plagiarism and how to avoid it, produced by Rutgers University:

What is Plagiarism

Plagiarism: Real Life Examples

The Cite is Right: The Quiz Show

How to Work with the APA Citation Style

2008-08-28T08:43:00.001-07:00

Apa

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

Plagiarism...and How to Avoid It

2008-08-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

Plagiarism

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: mla research)

Training of Basic Oral Health Workers

2008-08-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

Dental Health International Nederland published this guide in 2001 to provide health workers in rural areas with basic knowledge on dental diseases and their prevention. It can be useful for our dental hygiene students as an introduction or refresher for basic information.

http://www.dhin.nl/training_of_boh_workers.php

Contents:
Part 1. Anatomy, physiology, dental diseases and their causes.
Part 2. Prevention, primary dental care, preventive programmes.
Part 3. Treatment of common dental diseases.
Part 4. Special problems.
Part 5. Practical issues.

World Health Organization - Oral Health

2008-08-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

The World Health Organization (WHO) website contains a great amount of information related to Oral Health. You can find these materials starting with this page:

http://www.who.int/oral_health/en/

Here are some highlighted items:

Bulletin of the World Health Organization 83:9 (2005) - Special issue on Oral Health

Contains articles on diet and nutrition, oral lesions in HIV infection, promoting oral health in schools, oral health care for ageing populations, and more.

"Stengthening the prevention of periodontal disease: the WHO approach," Journal of Periodontology 76 (2005)

"Priorities for research for oral health in the 21st century," Community Dental Health 22 (2005)

Independent Dental Hygiene Centres

2008-08-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

From the article: Hygienists offering oral care alternative; But dental group has concerns over health, Toronto Star, August 1, 2008

When Mark Cameron split up with his partner he not only lost a mate, he lost his dental coverage.

For over a year, the 44-year-old self-employed Toronto man couldn't spare the cash to visit a dentist. He didn't have insurance, so when he heard he could go to a storefront clinic to get his teeth cleaned by a hygienist, he thought that was a more affordable option.

Cameron was drawn in by the advertisement of a $99 "introductory" offer that covered an initial assessment, complete cleaning, plaque removal and intra-oral camera photos and polishing.

"The introductory price - you can't beat that," said Cameron as he stood inside the Independent Dental Hygiene Centres on Yonge St., just south of Eglinton Ave. "I needed work done and so many of these issues do come down to price."

In July, the Independent Dental Hygiene Centres opened. Other clinics like it are beginning to dot the province. Of the 9,309 dental hygienists registered to practise in Ontario, 50 say they have independent practices and more are coming, said Margaret Carter, executive director of the Ontario Dental Hygienists' Association.

After years of resistance from many dentists, on Sept. 1, 2007, the Ontario government passed an amendment to the Dental Hygiene Act, enabling hygienists to clean teeth without an order from dentists, effectively allowing them to set up shop on their own.

Advocates pushed for the change, arguing that the poor and elderly in nursing homes as well as those who are housebound will benefit from regular teeth cleaning performed by hygienists at a lower cost.

Generally, the hygienist's fees are 30 per cent less than what the dentists are recommended to charge in their fee guide, Carter said. Dentists generally charge at least $150 for a cleaning, although that includes a dentist consultation.

Toronto Public Health's Dr. Hazel Stewart, director of dental and oral health services, said it's still early to gauge the impact. "It all depends on the costs, of course," she said yesterday. "It is yet to be seen if there is a significant difference in cost and (if it) will allow poor people to access dental hygiene service."

Ironically, two dentists - Drs. Brian Price and Howard Rocket - are behind the Independent Dental Hygiene Centres.

"So many people are not getting their teeth cleaned on a regular basis and what are the barriers?" Price said. "Cost. Convenience. And the fact that you have people who do not want to see the dentist.

"If I was practising dentistry right now I don't think I'd lobby the government and say 'this isn't good for the public' when in fact it is going on and hygienists are practising on their own when dentists are playing golf on Wednesdays and Fridays."

The Ontario Dental Association sees things differently. "Do I think the patient is better cared for by going to two different places to have their work done?" asked Dr. Larry Levin, president of the ODA. "No, I'm a strong supporter of collaboration." Levin, a practising dentist in Hamilton, is concerned patients might not be aware of what they are getting when they go to an independent clinic. Dentists perform a careful examination, X-rays if needed and an oral cancer examination, he said. Hygienists are part of the team, he added, seeing the patient to assess gum health, report problems to the dentist, clean teeth and review oral hygiene practices.

If patients think they are getting the whole package when they just visit a hygienist, they are mistaken, Levin said "All they are getting is the cleaning."

You can access the Independent Dental Hygiene Centres website here.

Focusing on oral health for the Canadian rural population

2008-08-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine has the following article on entitled "Focusing on oral health for the Canadian rural population", from its Winter 2008 issue.

Opportunities to Address Clinical Research Workforce Diversity Needs for 2010

2008-08-07T12:41:00.000-07:00

Students in our CRA program might be interested in reading the book Opportunities to Address Clinical Research Workforce Diversity Needs for 2010, edited by Jong-on Hahm and Alexander Ommaya. This report was written to identify ways to recruit and retain more women and underrepresented minorities into the clinical research workforce. You can read and download the entire book for free at this website.

The book is based on a 2003 conference held in Washington, D.C. You can download PPT files of various presentations here.

International Journal of Dental Hygiene - February 2008 issue

2008-08-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

Volume 6, Issue 1 of the International Journal of Dental Hygiene can be accessed freely (at least for the next few months) at this webpage: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119424413/issue

Articles include:

Halitosis among racially diverse populations: an update

Attitudes of South African oral hygienists towards compulsory community service

A survey on misunderstanding of dental scaling in Hong Kong

Microbiological evaluation and antibiotic susceptibility of dental unit water systems in general dental practice

Legionella pneumophila contamination of a dental unit water line system in a dental teaching centre

A randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of professional oral care by dental hygienists

False gingival enlargement as a diagnostic problem: a case report

If you are looking for articles from other issues, please ask the librarian.

Journal of Public Health Dentistry

2008-08-04T11:14:00.001-07:00

If you are interested in the public health aspects of oral health, one journal you should consult is the Journal of Public Health Dentistry. Three main types of articles are published: original research articles that provide a significant contribution to knowledge in the breadth of dental public health, including oral epidemiology, dental health services, the behavioral sciences, and the public health practice areas of assessment, policy development, and assurance; methods articles that report the development and testing of new approaches to research design, data collection and analysis, or the delivery of public health services; and review articles that synthesize previous research in the discipline and provide guidance to others conducting research as well as to policy makers, managers, and other dental publics health practitioners.

The Winter 2008 issue of this journal is freely available at http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119393805/issue

Articles include:
A Conceptual Framework for Hispanic Oral Health Care
Rural and Urban Disparities in Caries Prevalence in Children with Unmet Dental Needs: The New England Children's Amalgam Trial
Oral Health Disparities in Children of Immigrants: Dental Caries Experience at Enrollment and during Follow-Up in the New England Children's Amalgam Trial
Rural Latino Immigrant Caregivers' Conceptions of Their Children's Oral Disease
Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Oral Cancer Awareness and Examination: 2003 New York State BRFSS
On the Pediatric Oral Health Therapist: Lessons from Canada

Periodontal disease as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes: a prospective cohort study

2008-08-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

In the January 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, an article was released to determine the association between periodontitis and the incidence of preterm birth (PB), low birth weight (LBW) and preterm low birth weight (PLBW). You can read the full text of the article here: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/119402186/HTMLSTART

Special issue on Oral Cancer in JCDA

2008-07-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

The Journal of the Canadian Dental Association (JCDA) is now being acquired by the library. Aimed at practicing dentists in Canada, the journal offers a great deal of information related to oral health and dental practices. The April 2008 issue is devoted to Oral Cancer, and has several articles and the Guideline for Early Detection of Oral Cancer in British Columbia.

We have this issue in our library, or you can read it online at:

http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-74/issue-3/index.html

Oral Health and Dental Serice Needs of Clients of Community Health Centres in Toronto, Ontario

2008-07-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

Students in our Community Dental Health courses might find this report to be very useful for them. Oral Health and Dental Service Needs of Clients of Community Health Centres in Toronto, Ontario, written by Dr. Garry Aslanyan, was collaborative study between the Dental Hygiene Program at George Brown City College and the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto. They assessed eight Community Health Centres in Toronto, to determine the dental needs and service use of its clients. This is a lenghty report, available as a PDF file from the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry:

http://www.caphd-acsdp.org/PDF/aslanyan.pdf

Cut children's fluoride exposure, report to Health Canada urges

2008-07-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

The full report is available at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/2008-fluoride-fluorure/index-eng.php

The Globe and Mail
July 29, 2008

An expert panel Health Canada commissioned to study the risks of fluoride exposure says the government should cut the recommended amount in drinking water, encourage the use of low-fluoride toothpaste by children and have makers of infant formula reduce levels in their products. The proposals were made in a report submitted to the federal government in January of 2007, but made public last month with little fanfare when Health Canada posted a summary on its website.

Fluoride is such a staunch cavity-fighter that it has been routinely added to toothpaste and municipal water supplies for decades. Traces are also found in infant formula. But it has recently emerged as a controversial chemical for some public-health advocates because of contested research linking it to intelligence-quotient deficits in children; osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer in young boys - which felled Canadian icon Terry Fox - and the mottling of youngsters' teeth, a condition known as fluorosis.

Although the panel concluded the "weight of evidence" supports neither an association between fluoride and cancer, nor the findings of IQ deficits, its three recommendations would lead to reduced exposure if implemented, particularly for children. The panel recommended reduced fluoride exposure because it was worried children might be getting too much of the chemical from diet, water and toothpaste, placing them at increased risk of fluorosis, said Steven Levy, a panel member and a research professor at the University of Iowa's College of Dentistry.

The call for children's low-fluoride toothpaste, which is common in Europe, was made because of concerns that youngsters might inadvertently swallow the substance while brushing. The panel said lightly fluoridated toothpaste is "already available in other countries" and Health Canada should "promote and encourage" its use. In Canada, children's toothpaste, which sometimes is candy-flavoured, has about the same amount of fluoride as adult toothpaste. But some varieties, sold mainly at health-food stores, do not contain any of the chemical and are labelled "fluoride free."

In a response to questions from The Globe and Mail, Health Canada said in an e-mail that it will accept the panel's recommendation to cut the fluroide level in drinking water to 0.7 parts per million from the current guideline allowing a range of 0.8 ppm to 1 ppm. Fluoride is added to the municipal water supplies of about 13.5 million Canadians, or about 43 per cent of the population. But the practice varies widely by province, with almost no fluoridation in Quebec and British Columbia and about 70 per cent of people receiving treated water in both Ontario and Manitoba.

The impact of Health Canada's change may be muted because some jurisdictions are already ignoring the department's water-fluoridation guideline and are applying even more stringent limits. Toronto, for instance, cut allowable levels in 2005 to 0.6 ppm. A report issued by its public-health department last year says "credible scientific evidence" supports the lower figure.
But the adoption of a new federal guideline will mark the continuation of a long-running reduction of fluoride in water supplies. When fluoridation began in the 1960s, it was customary for water to contain as much as 1.2 ppm. In its response to The Globe, Health Canada said it is not concerned that millions of Canadians have been exposed for several decades to levels much higher than the new guideline will call for because the current maximum acceptable concentration in water supplies is 1.5 ppm.

The panel's summary does not specify an optimum fluoride concentration for children's toothpaste, although some types available in Europe contain a quarter to a half of the amount, ranging from 1,000 ppm to 1,500 ppm, common in North American products. Because toothpaste is spit out after use, it is allowed to contain far higher fluoride concentrations than drinking water, which is ingested. Dr. Levy said "it would be good" to have toothpaste available in North America for children up to age 4 that would contain about half the fluoride of regular toothpaste.

Health Canada said it is aware that youngsters might swallow toothpaste and, as a safeguard, already recommends that those under 6 be supervised when brushing and be given only pea-sized amounts on their brushes. The department also said parents should contact a poison-control centre or other medical help "right away" if more toothpaste than is used for brushing is swallowed. Infant formula contains traces of fluoride, because of the small amounts naturally contained in its ingredients, according to two manufacturers, Mead Johnson Nutritionals and Nestlé Canada Inc., which said their ready-to-use products contain less than 0.3 ppm.

There are currently no industry or regulatory standards for fluoride in baby formula.
Health Canada said cutting the recommended amount in municipal drinking water to the 0.7-ppm level "will help address this concern" over "the risk of excessive fluoride exposure from formula." It said adverse effects would occur only after "extended periods of exposure" in infants consuming large quantities of reconstituted formula.

New articles for Dental Hygiene Students

2008-07-28T07:20:00.001-07:00

We have photocopies of some new articles, which are now available in the library:

"Sickle cell disease and dental treatment," Journal of the Irish Dental Association 54:2 (2008) 75-79

"Treating the whole person: recognising the patient with an eating disorder," Journal of the Irish Dental Association 54:2 (2008) 70-72

"Impression Techniques" Ontario Dentist (2008) - three part series: Part 1: Myths & Facts; Part 2: Materials and Trays; Part 3: Technique Tips

"Root Canal or Implant?," Ontario Dentist (June 2008) 24-30

"Epilepsy in the Dental Office Concern, Care and Management," New York State Dental Journal (April 2008) 46-47

"The role of occlusion in temporomandibular disorders - a review of the literature," New Zealand Dental Journal (June 2008) 54-59

"Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Don't Be Asleep at the Chair," Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society 57:1 (Spring 2008) 14-17

"Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Dental Office Setting," Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society 57:1 (Spring 2008) 18-20

"Providing Dental Care for Patients with Huntington's Disease," Dental Update (2008)

"High Fluoride Toothpastes: Their Potential Role in Caries Prevention Programme," Dental Update (2008)

"Stroke and how it affects oral health," Dental Health 47:4 (July 2008) 12-16

"Dysgeusia: A guide to aetiology, assessment and treatment," Dental Health 47:4 (July 2008) 8-11

"Can choice of scaling instruments affect wrist and hand pain in dental hygienists?," Dental Health 47:4 (July 2008) 5-6

DVD Quarterly of Dental Hygiene - Spring and Summer 2008 issues

2008-07-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today we received the Spring 2008 and Summer 2008 issues of the DVD Quarterly of Dental Hygiene. The DVDs are both available in the library with the rest of the series:

Spring 2008

Sjogren’s Syndrome – Diagnosis and Treatment Techniques – This presentation overviews the characteristics, impact and outcomes of Sjogren’s Syndrome, as well as methodology and products available for appropriate treatment.

The Benefits of Ultrasonic Debridement in the Fight Against Inflammation – A round table case study discussion on inflammation and the choice of ultrasonic versus hand instrumentation, including a demonstration of instrument usage.

Oral Pathology – Focal Gingival Swellings – A review of the types and features of oral lesions, examining specific examples of focal gingival swellings, polyps and other gingival swellings

The Art and Science of Whitening – An Esthetic Choice – An indepth overview of the whitening materials and techniques available to the dental profession

Dry Mouth, Burning Mouth and other Oral Changes – An overview of diagnostic characteristics, changes to tooth structure, repair challenges and treatment methods available for consideration

Summer 2008

Premalignant and Malignant Lesions of the Oral Mucosa – A review of the types and features of those oral lesions encountered in the diagnosis of oral cancer.

High Risk Caries and Fluoride Remineralization – A discussion of dental decay and how the various fluorides contribute to the remineralizing of teeth.

Instrument Sharpening and Maintenance Techniques - The client and hygienist benefits of high quality instrument and maintenance are reviewed and indepth demonstration of sharpening techniques is provided

The Dental Hygienist – The Advantages of Imaging – Intra-oral digital techniques and the application of resulting client benefits

An Introduction to Digital Photography – Clinical applications, a comparison of camera options and tips for optimal oral cavity photography

Implementation of Laser Instruments into the Hygiene Practice – An overview of laser instrumentation capabilities, including demonstration of tooth cavity preparation and patient cleaning techniques

Oral and Whole Body Health

2008-07-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Scientific American developed a specicl issue entitlted Oral and Whole Body Health, which discusses the important role good oral health can play in achieving whole body wellness. The full-text of the magazine is available at http://www.dentalcare.com/soap/products/index_promotion_sa.htm

You can also watch this video presentation which gives an overview of what you will find in this issue:

A copy of this magazine is also available in the library under the call number RK 53 .S15 2006

Commercial for Oxford College's Dental Hygiene Program

2008-07-08T11:31:00.001-07:00

More visitors to the college

2008-06-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

This large family came by the college today, perhaps to check out our programs.

A new book for families of children born with cleft lip and palate

2008-06-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

Those entering dental hygiene practice might want to order a copy of this book as an educational tool for children and families with cleft lip and palate. This 64-page soft cover book is written in two parts. The first part tells a gentle and loving story that can be read to children, but also touches the adults in a family. The second half of this book is filled with help and resources for cleft-affected families, including a before/after gallery of persons who were born with a cleft and have undergone surgeries for repair.

For more information, go to http://www.widesmiles.org/lippyflyer.htm

Oral Health Risk Assessment: An Online Interactive Case Study

2008-05-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Dental Hygiene students might be interested in the following online course from Ohio State University's College of Dentistry: Oral Health Risk Assessment: An Online Interactive Case Study.

Course Contents:

- Introduction
- Patient Information
- Patient Assessment
- Treatment
- Questionaires & Conclusions
- Course & Instructor Evaluation

Job Posting for Dental Hygienist in Edmonton

2008-05-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

We got this request to place a job posting specifically for students from Oxford College:

Academy Dental

We have a full time dental hygeine opening in our awesome downtown Edmonton office. We have 4 great dentists, Ben Eastwood, Mac Stewart, Jim Jurasek, and Karyn Isbister. Our staff is the BEST!!! Some of us have been with Academy for over 20 years!!! We are very flexible and accomodating to our staff but more importantly to our patients. We have a busy and well established practice, with our office only open weekdays. No nights or weekends!!
We have several social functions throughout the year and have a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere! We have good benefits and a medical plan for our full time employees. If you think you may be interested in checking us out please contact Alanna Garstad at:

alanna@academydental.ca
780-423-1869
fax 780-425-2769

Academy Deantal Group
10070-105 st.
Edmonton, Alberta
T5H 5H2

Strategies to Enhance the Oral Health of British Columbians, specifically Aboriginal Peoples, Tobacco-Users, and those of Low Socioeconomic Backgroun

2008-05-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

A 59 page report produced by the Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia for the Ministry of Health in BC. Click on the link to read it in PDF format.

http://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/research/OralHealthStrategyForBC/strategiestoenhanceoralhealth.pdf

Oral Health and the Aboriginal Child

2008-05-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

Oral Health and the Aboriginal Child: a Forum for community members, researchers and policy-makers” was held June 7 and 8, 2007 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The focus of this event was the oral health of young Aboriginal Canadians. While the majority of Canadian children experience little or no dental decay (dental caries) during early childhood, a shocking number of children still suffer extensive tooth decay. This disparity is most apparent in Aboriginal children from both urban and remote First Nations and Inuit communities.

Executive Summary (4 pages)

Forum Proceedings (63 pages)

Journal of the California Dental Association - Oral Health Education II Topics

2008-05-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of some of the articles we found from this journal:

Dental Care for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities Is Expensive, but Needed

Developmental Disabilities and Understanding the Needs of Patients With Mental Retardation and Down Syndrome

Developmental Disabilities: Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism

The Pathophysiology, Medical Management and Dental Implications of Fragile X, Rett and Prader-Willi Syndromes

The Pathophysiology, Medical Managment, and Dental Implications of Autism

What the Dentist Should Know About a Patient with HIV/AIDS

Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitively Impaired Elderly: Providing Dental Care

Oral Manifestations of Gastrointestinal Disease

The Machine is Us/ing Us

2008-04-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

WinkingSkull.com

2008-04-01T10:52:00.000-07:00

For those students learning about anatomy, a new website that you can go to is WinkingSkull.com. You must register to access it, but it is free to use and offers excellent images of all regions of the body. You can even take timed tests on this material.

Healthcare in Canada 2007

2008-03-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Institute for Health Information has put out its annual report on the state of healthcare in Canada. Sections include: Where Our Health Dollars Go; Health Human Resources in Canada; Access to Care; Quality and Safety of Care: Population Health - The Importance of 'Place'; and more.

http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/products/hcic2007_e.pdf

Our Clinical Research Associate Program - Frequently Asked Questions

2008-03-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in the Clinical Reseach Program at Oxford College, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the program:

Is the Oxford Clinical Research Associate (CRA) program approved?

Yes, the Oxford CRA program is approved by the Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities.

What is the difference between Oxford’s program and other programs, or on-line programs?

Oxford’s program is an in-class, contact program. The course is delivered at a fast pace, yet offers frequent and ongoing opportunities for the student to ask questions, request clarifications, interact with instructors and with other trainees. There are frequent class discussions, presentations, strengthening of techniques, critiquing, testing and evaluation.

The Oxford program is a quality program that focuses on clinical trials and the biopharmaceutical industry. In addition the program delivers a broad educational base including exposure to and appreciation for clinical research. The program explores the fundamental mechanisms of disease, reviews novel therapeutic interventions and diagnostic procedures, and explores issues relating to the overall risks and benefits of established therapies and treatment plans. Population based research and translation-to-primary-care issues are also explored.

It is apparent from feedback received that alternate or on-line programs have significant shortcomings in many, if not all of these areas. The Oxford program is aimed at developing excellent CRAs with a solid knowledge base and a comprehensive skill set that includes both hard and soft skills.

Is the Oxford CRA program certified?

The Oxford CRA program is a comprehensive, quality program which stands on its own merit. In Canada there are no “certified” CRA programs and there is no CRA certifying or higher authority in Canada to certify either clinical research programs or diplomas. Certified CRA diplomas in Canada (CCRA, CCRC) are diplomas that are called “certified” by the institution that grants them, at its option. Certifying organizations exist in the U.S., which will certify CRA trainees (not programs) after applicants have accumulated varying lengths of experience.

Is the Oxford CRA program accredited?

There is no such thing as an accredited CRA program and there is no CRA accrediting authority anywhere in North America.

Who or what regulates Clinical Research in Canada?

Clinical Trials are federally regulated by Health Canada and the Canada Health Act, by Guidelines such as ICH-GCP and all activities are ultimately overseen by the Criminal Code of Canada. There are no provincial Regulatory Colleges in Canada and the activities involved in Clinical Research are otherwise unregulated in Canada.

How long has the program been running at Oxford?

The Oxford CRA program is running in its present form for the first time. The Oxford CRA program had been running previously for three years at another college, after which the program was redesigned, updated and transferred to Oxford College.

What kind of students have taken the program at Oxford?

All the students currently taking the Oxford CRA program have medical degrees and it is one of the only College programs in Canada where the trainees are all medical doctors. The program is open to applicants with nursing degrees (RN, RPN, BScN, LPN, MScN), PhD, MSc, BSc; BDS, DDS, and other science backgrounds.

What are the English language requirements for the CRA Program at Oxford?

The CRA Program at Oxford generally requires Grade 12 English; or TOEFL scores between 550-600 (paper-based test), 213-250 (computer-based test), and 86-100 (internet-based test).

Is a placement included in the one year program?

Yes. A three month clinical placement (450 hours) is included in the one year program, during which the student is exposed to and actively participates in a real-world clinical research environment. This may be in a hospital, medical clinic, group practice, dedicated research centre, clinical research organization or pharmaceutical company.

Does the student get paid during the placement?

Not to be expected. The purpose of the placement is to serve as an ongoing, intensive learning environment that follows on from the theory course. Payment or a small stipend may (very rarely) be offered for research related activities, or occasionally meal tickets, parking passes, etc. issued by the facility.

Does the program guarantee a job at the end?

The Career Colleges Act (2005) forbids a college from guaranteeing a job or employment at the end of a program. The demand for CRAs remains strong however.

Is it possible for the student to get credit for part of the program that he/she may have taken before?

No. While applicants may feel they have covered all or part of a subject (i.e. Anatomy, Pathology), they usually have not had the necessary focus in these subjects.

Journal of Dental Hygiene - 2007 and 2008 issues

2008-03-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

I finally have access to the most recent articles from the Journal of Dental Hygiene. If you are interested in any of them, please let me know and I can email or print them for you:

Volume 82:1 (Winter 2008)

1) Bone Density and Consumption of Cola Beverages
2) The utilization of Computer Mediated Communication for case study collaboration
3) The Role of the Student Professional Association in Mentoring Dental Hygiene Students for the Future
4) Relationship of Naturally Occurring Fluoride in Carroll County, Maryland to Aquifers, Well Depths, and Fluoride Supplementation Prescribing Behaviors
5) Design and Pilot Evaluation of an Internet Spit Tobacco Cessation Program
6) Mothers'/Guardians' Knowledge about Promoting Children's Oral Health

Volume 81: Fall Supplement (2007)

1) Changing Perspectives on the Use of Antimicrobial Mouthrinses
2) The Role of Dental Plaque Biofilm in Oral Health
3) Safety and Efficacy of Antimicrobial Mouthrinses in Clinical Practice
4) Strategies for Incorporating Antimicrobial Mouthrinses into Daily Oral Care
5) Antimicrobial Mouthrinses in Contemporary Dental Hygiene Practice: The Take Home Message

Volume 81:4 (Fall 2007)

1) Combining Research and Dental Hygiene
2) Bisphosphonates and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)
3) Debate: A Teaching-Learning Strategy for Developing Competence in Communication and Critical Thinking
4) Effect of Power Toothbrushing on Simulated Wear of Dental Cement Margins
5) Sampling Water from Chemically Cleaned Dental Units with Detachable Power Scalers
6) Obstetricians' Knowledge and Practice Behaviors Concerning Periodontal Health and Preterm Delivery and Low Birth Weight
7) Dental Hygienists' Opinions About Loupes In Education
8) North Carolina Dental Hygienists' View on Oral Cancer Control
- also abstracts of conference papers

Volume 81:3 (Summer 2007)

1) One Dental Hygienist's Role in Clinical Research
2) Advanced Degree Seeking Students' Satisfaction with Online Courses at UMKC - An Early Investigation
3) Validation of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
4) Service-Learning and Dental Hygiene: A Literature Review
5) Oral Assessment of Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
6) Articaine: A New Alternative in Dental Hygiene Pain Control
7) An Examination of the Bleeding Complications Associated with Herbal Supplements, Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Medications

Volume 81:2 (Spring 2007)

1) Effect of Treating Periodontal Disease on Cardiovascular Markers
2) Life-Long Learning: Lessons from a Journal Study Club
3) Predictors of Student Success in an Entry-Level Baccalaureate Dental Hygiene Program
4) Dental Hygienists' Contributions to Improving the Nation's Oral Health Through School-Based Initiatives from 1970 through 1999: A Historical Review

Volume 81:1 (Winter 2007)

1) Patient Satisfaction with Dental Hygiene Providers in US Military Clinics
2) Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder in dental hygienists and dental hygiene students
3) Dental Hygiene Workforce Issues: A Minnesota Study
4) Myasthenia Gravis: A Review for Dental Hygienists
- also has abstracts from conference papers

Volume 80:3 (Summer 2006)

1) Oral Malodor: A Review of the Literature
2) Effects of Daily Oral Care with 0.12% Chlorhexidine Gluconate and a Standard Oral Care Protocol on the Development of Nosocomial Pneumonia in Intubated Patients: A Pilot Study
3) Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Literature Review and Clinical Practice Guidelines

Two new books for dental hygiene students

2008-03-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

Oral Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist - RK 701 .W45 2008

A comprehensive oral pharmacology book that reviews the principles of pharmacology and their application to dental hygiene practice. Extremely practical, this book discusses many oral manifestations of drugs that the dental hygiene student should be aware of. Key Topics: Quick drug guides in the beginning of each chapter, fun facts, and unique rapid dental hints within each chapter help the reader understand different pharmacologic principles while reinforcing key information. Case studies extensively review the medical conditions, potential drug interactions and dental management of these interactions.

Dental Reception and Practice Management - RK 58 .B77 2006

Essential companion to all aspects of reception work and practice management duties. The book covers vital interpersonal skills and the important aspects of business management and marketing relevant to dentistry. In addition it explains the development of dental care and the range of available treatments, enhancing the reader's understanding and awareness of the necessary clinical aspects of dentistry.

HIV Medicine 2007 Textbook

2008-03-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

HIV Medicine 2007 is the 15th edition of a medical textbook that provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the treatment of HIV Infection. You can download it for free here: http://www.hivmedicine.com/

You can also watch this short introduction to the book by one of its editors:

What does your family eat in a week?

2008-02-13T06:38:00.000-08:00

Check these websites out: http://my.opera.com/sanshan/blog/2008/01/26/what-does-your-family-eat-in-one-week

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5005952

Both show what a typical family around the world eats in a week. The differences are quite staggering.

Dental Erosion: From Diagnosis to Therapy

2008-02-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

The library just received a copy of Dental Erosion: From Diagnosis to Therapy, edited by Adrian Lussi. It is on the shelves at the call number RK 340 .D46 2006

Here is a review of the book that provides a good overview of its chapters:

The 214 closely written pages, divided into 13 chapters, include only around 34 clinical photographs, grouped two to four on a page. This is not therefore light reading, nor is it intended to be; each chapter is written in the style of a review article such as might be seen in a front-line scientific journal.

The short Chapters 1 and 2 consider the background and definition of tooth erosion, in particular the importance of erosive damage to the permanent dentition in childhood, which may compromise the dentition throughout life.

The scholarship really starts in Chapter 3 where the interactions between attrition, abrasion and erosion in tooth wear are considered in 11 pages supported by 88 references.

Understanding of the diagnosis of erosive tooth wear in Chapter 4 is aided by clear text and tables and by nine rather small but nicely produced illustrations. Chapter 5, epidemiology, is not for the faint-hearted since figures and tables come thick and fast and each contains a wealth of information. Despite the problems created by the use of different indices and methodologies it is possible to reach the conclusion that erosive tooth wear is a growing problem, especially in the younger age groups.

The chemistry of dental erosion is introduced in a short Chapter 6 and the theme is expanded in the five separate parts of Chapter 7 where the sections dealing with extrinsic causes of erosion are numbered 7.1, 7.1.1, 7.1.2 etc in the style of a thesis, leaving no doubt that the intention is to present a scholarly work. Chapter 8 considers intrinsic causes of erosion, due to stomach acids entering the mouth. Chapter 9 considers dental erosion in children, stressing the need for a thorough understanding of aetiology to be reached before planning management.

Complex laboratory procedures for analysing erosively altered dental hard tissues are reviewed in Chapter 10. Chapter 11 deals with dentine hypersensitivity since, although the condition is multifactorial, the role of erosion in it is becoming more understood. Chapters 12 and 13 - the final 24 pages of the book - give a clear and succinct account of the prevention and management of erosion.

British Dental Journal

2008-02-08T06:07:00.000-08:00

One of the best academic journals for people working in dental health is the British Dental Journal. They consistently put out excellent articles, including a lot of scientific articles and practical training. Unfortunately, their website only allows for a few of their articles to be read freely, and they put them out in a rather unpredicatable fashion. Here is a list of some of the articles you can read for free:

Dental attendance and oral health for MS patients

Dental caries affects body weight, growth and quality of life in pre-school children

A qualitative study exploring barriers to a model of shared care for pre-school children’s oral health

Oral Medicine — Update for the dental practitioner: Oral cancer

You can also ask the librarian for access to any article, and he will be able to send it to you by email.

JPH: Journal of Practical Hygiene

2008-02-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

We just received the November/December 2007 issue of JPH: Journal of Practical Hygiene. This was a nice surprise, as we haven't been receiving their issues for several months, so hopefully they have sorted out their subscription problems and we are going to have a steady stream of new issues. Which is good, because I think that JPH is one of the better journals out there for dental hygienists, offering well-written articles about clinical issues. This issue has the following articles:

"Management Strategies for a Patient With a Developmental Disability"
"Exploring a Career in Dental Hygiene Education"
"Methicillin-Resistatn Staphylococcus aureus: Awareness and Prevention"
"The Low Down on Low-Speed Handpieces"
"Creating an Environmentally Sound Dental Practice"

This issue, and other back issues, can be found in the Magazines and Journals section.

Journal of the Canadian Dental Association - recent articles

2008-01-30T12:21:00.000-08:00

The Journal of the Canadian Dental Association is an excellent resource for oral health information. Going back over the last couple of months, here are some articles that you might be intersted in reading:

What do I need to know about oral cancer screening?

How should I diagnose dental fluorosis?

Essential Medical Issues Related to HIV in Dentistry

Bleeding Disorders of Importance in Dental Care and Related Patient Management

CJDH - January/February 2008 issue

2008-01-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

The library just received the January/February issue of the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene. Some of the articles in this issue include:

"The effects of flossing with a chlorhexidine solution on interproximal gingivitis: a randomized controlled trial"

"Dental care for the patient with schizophrenia"

"National compentencies for dental hygiene entry-to-practice"

British Society for Disability and Oral Health

2008-01-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

I want to draw your attention to another site that I found that will be helpful to those of you working on the role of dental hygienists when working with people with physical or mental disabilities. The British Society for Disability and Oral Heath promotes efforts on improving dental care for people with disabilties. On their website you can find several documents they have made available that give guidelines on various topics. They also publish a journal, but we do not have access to it. This website complements another that I found a few weeks ago - go here for that post.

Dental Hygiene Act and Employment Issues

2008-01-16T10:22:00.000-08:00

Marianna Bracic, a lawyer who specializes in employment law, has written an article about how the Dental Hygiene Act will affect the relationship between dentists and dental hygienists. The article is written for dentists, and mainly concentrates on ways they could use contracts to prevent dental hygienists from working more independently. It is an interesting piece, and something you should keep in mind as you enter the workforce.

http://www.mbclegal.ca/f/Are_You_Ready_for_the_Changes_to_the_Dental_Hygiene_Act.pdf

'Public health: ethical issues' by The Nuffield Council on Bioethics

2008-01-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

This report considers the responsibilities of government, industry, individuals and others in promoting the health of everyone. The Council concludes that the state has a particular duty to help people lead a healthy life and to reduce inequalities. The report considers the acceptability of different public health measures, and highlights the responsibilities of industries that promote products that affect our health. Recommendations for policy are made in four areas:

Infectious disease
Obesity
Alcohol and tobacco
Fluoridation of water

Full details from: www.nuffieldbioethics.org/go/ourwork/publichealth/publication_451.html

New articles available for dental hygiene students and faculty

2008-01-15T13:15:00.000-08:00

Here a few new articles we have found. If you are interested in getting a copy, please ask the librarian:

"Pregnant Women in Your Practice: What do we know? What should we do?", by M. Jeffcoat, Pennsylvania Dental Journal (January 2007)

"American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Academy of Pediatric Issue Co-Endorsed Sedation Guidelines", E. McGuire, Pennsylvania Dental Journal (March 2007)

"Hepatitis Transmission in a Dental Office," by I. Feferman, Ontario Dentist (September 2007)

"Scleroderma and Dentistry: Every Dentist Is a Scleroderma Specialist," by D. Leader, Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society (Summer 2007)

"The Eating Disorders: 1. Current Scientific Understanding and Dental Implications," by A. Ashcroft, Dental Update (2007)

"Early Childhood Caries - A Review," by S. Misra, Dental Update (2007)

Soft Tissue Lesions

2008-01-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

| View | Upload your own

Hard Tissue Charting

2008-01-15T08:45:00.001-08:00

| View | Upload your own

PreClinic Theory: Dental Hygiene Care Plan

2008-01-15T08:41:00.000-08:00

This powerpoint presentation is for students in Clinic or PreClinic. If you have any questions or comments, please see Nikki.

| View | Upload your own

Examination Procedures: PreClinical Skills

2008-01-15T08:27:00.000-08:00

This powerpoint presentation is useful for students in Clinic and Preclinic. If you have any questions, please ask Nikki.

| View | Upload your own

Tobacco Free! CD

2007-12-19T12:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks to our program director, we just received a copy of a CD entilted "Tobacco Free! Curriculum." From Southern Illinois University, this CD provides dental/dental hygiene educators with a ready made, comprehensive tobacco control curriculum.

You can find it on our Multimedia table under the call number RC 657 .D18 2007

For more information, click here.

International Journal of Dental Hygiene - Novemeber 2007

2007-12-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

Volume 5, Issue 4 of the International Journal of Dental Hygiene has been published. The librarian can download and print any of its articles for you. This issue contains articles on:

Stress and periodontal disease
The comparison of the effects of three types of piezoelectric ultrasonic tips and air polishing system on the filling materials: an in vitro study
Effectiveness of periodontal therapies on the treatment of different aetiological factors induced gingival overgrowth in puberty
Biofilm inhibition and antimicrobial activity of a dentifrice containing salivary substitutes
The adjunctive use of a controlled-release chlorhexidine chip following treatment with a new ultrasonic device in supportive periodontal therapy: a prospective, controlled clinical study
Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans adhesion to buccal epithelial cells by an aqueous extract of Thymus vulgaris
Assessing the oral health of school-age children and the current school-based dental screening programme in Freiburg (Germany)
Clinical efficacy of two toothbrushes with different bristles
Oral and oropharyngeal cancer

Website for Dental resources when treating Disabled patients

2007-12-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

The Southern Association for Institution Dentists is a website serving dental professionals in the southeastern United States. It has developed some very good content about how to care for patients who are mentally or physically disabled. They have set up a modules section, which has 14 guides that can be downloaded as PDF files. Topics include reviews of mental retardation, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy, Clinical Concerns in the Provisions of Dental Care for Clients with Mental Retardation, Oral Manifestations in Genetic Syndromes with Mental Retardation, and Preventive Dentistry for Persons with Severe Disabilities.

They also have a Literature Review section that posts articles from academic sources. There are about 30 articles here, all on PDF, many of which would be very useful for your courses.

Resume Building Websites

2007-12-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

Our 4th Semester Dental Hygiene class is working on resumes. Go to this website from the Pickering Public Library for several links to good information and tips about resumes.

Another website to check out is Microsoft Office Online, which provides free templates of resumes that you can download and then input your information, which will give it a nice, professional look.

The Library Survival Guide podcast

2007-12-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

Here is a great new resource - the Library Survival Guide. From Emory University, this looks as if it is going to be a useful way to learn about how to find and use resources.

The first podcast is a discussion of peer-reviewed journals: what are they, how do you find them, why do you care? The second deals with Google Scholar: what it’s good for and what it’s not. Hopefully more episodes are on the way.

Fluoride Intake for Infants and Young Children

2007-12-04T08:34:00.000-08:00

The American Dental Association has put out a statement about how much water with fluoride should be drunk by infants and young children. It says, in part:

Recent studies cited in the report of the National Research Council (NRC), “Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards,” have raised the possibility that infants could receive a greater than optimal amount of fluoride through liquid concentrate or powdered baby formula that has been mixed with water containing fluoride during a time that their developing teeth may be susceptible to enamel fluorosis. The appropriate amount of fluoride is essential to prevent tooth decay. But fluoride intake above optimal amounts can create a risk for enamel fluorosis in teeth during their development before eruption through the gums.

To read the full statement, click here.

Health Canada and the Canadian Dental Association are not as concerned about this issue. For more information, here are two Globe and Mail articles from last month:

Health Canada downplays fluoride fears in infants

Critics raise red flag over fluoride in tap water

Applied Clinical Trials

2007-11-20T09:54:00.001-08:00

We received our first issue today of Applied Clinical Trials, one of the major magazines in the field of clinical research. The November 2007 issue seems to have a very global focus, with the following articles

on outsourcing, and how it affects perfomance and compliance issues
creating a successful project plan for global trials
doing clinical trials in India and China
EU guidelines for efficacy testing of pharmaceuticals
informed consent
recruitment for trials in a global context

You can read a copy of this issue in the library, or access it online here: http://www.actmagazine.com/

Welcome to the Librarian's Blog

2007-11-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

Thank you for clicking on the Librarian's Blog. As students and staff increasingly turn to online resources, the library at Oxford College will make efforts to assist you and offer interesting materials. We will regularly update this section with postings related to dental hygiene, clinical research and other programs offered by Oxford College. We will also post any news about the library and the college.