Industry Info

Sunstar Spotlight Highlights 2016 World Dental Hygienist Awards

The Sunstar Foundation instituted the World Dental Hygienist Awards 10 years ago to honor dental hygiene professionals and students who have made significant contributions to dental hygiene science, patients, the community, and the general public. In this month’s Sunstar Spotlight, JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, president of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH), explains the different categories of entry and the benefits of receiving a World Dental Hygienist Award.

The prestigious awards are presented every 3 years to an individual or group and are given at the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene, which is hosted by the IFDH. They include two categories: research and activity/projects. Practicing dental hygienists and students are both eligible to apply for the awards. Entry for the 2016 World Dental Hygienist Awards is open through December 31. For more details on how to apply, visit: sunstarawards.com/HowToEnterDentalHygienistAward.html.

Philips Series Focuses On Comprehensive Diagnosis, Treatment

As the knowledge base surrounding the association between oral and overall health grows, dental professionals play an increasingly important role in health maintenance. In the final edition of this continuing education series sponsored by Philips Oral Healthcare, experts in the field provide evidence-based information on topics most important to clinicians and patients—sex differences in oral and overall health, the link between diabetes and periodontitis, and the effects of added sugars in the diet. Each topic requires continued research to support comprehensive clinical diagnosis and treatment proficiency among oral health professionals.

Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, BA, MS, illustrates the distinctions between men’s and women’s health—including the speed of drug metabolism and dopamine levels related to prescription pharmaceuticals, which are important to clinical treatment in the dental setting.

Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic metabolic disease that remains incurable but can be prevented. Evanthia Lalla, DDS, MS, provides keen insights into how periodontal diseases and diabetes affect oral and overall health in a bidirectional symbiosis.

Brian Nový, DDS, FADI, and Betsy Reynolds, RDH, MS, discuss the impact of added sugars, particularly fructose, in the American diet. Evidence indicates that Americans are consuming sugar and other sweeteners in quantities that are overwhelming their metabolic systems—contributing to both oral and overall health challenges.

It is through dental professionals—specifically dental hygienists—that patients are effectively educated about prevention of oral disease and oral health maintenance. Dental hygienists’ clinical care is increasingly important to patients’ oral and overall health, and their ability to connect with patients on a deeper, more sustainable level is invaluable. Philips Oral Healthcare is dedicated to supporting dental hygienists in their efforts through educational efforts like this series.

Nonprofit Seeks To Improve Access to Oral Health Care For Underserved Youth

Atlanta-based Benevis, a practice-services company committed to improving quality health care access, has announced that its newly formed foundation will sponsor dental research, education, and outreach initiatives aimed at improving the oral health of the nation’s underserved populations. Planned projects include analysis of dental delivery models and determining the cost savings associated with improved early access to dental care via state and federal health care programs. To help spread its message about the importance of oral health, the Benevis Foundation also will sponsor and produce oral health-based educational events and courses, aimed at strengthening public policy on both the national and global scale regarding dental accessibility and affordability.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. June 2015;13(6):14.