February 2022 Social Commentary

What do you think is the most important factor in supporting oral health throughout a lifetime?

Mary Kaye Scaramucci, RDH, MS

Dimensions Facebook Commenter

A good dental hygienist.

Jennifer Huebner, RDH, BSDH

Dimensions Facebook Commenter

The single most important factor in supporting oral health throughout a lifetime is consistency of care. We see the significant deterioration of oral health following gaps in professional care as well as gaps in at-home care. Whether it’s missing dental appointments due to lack of insurance coverage or inability to maintain adequate self-care in times of crisis, such as major medical challenges, these interruptions can have a large and cumulative negative impact over a lifetime.

Susan C. Buchenberger, MEd, BSDH, RDH

Dimensions Brand Ambassador

Encouraging routine recare visits. I believe that encouraging out patients to visit the dental office four routine care is the most important supporting factor of a lifetime besides daily care at home. Their oral health will be better as we diagnose problems early.

Janet Goertz-Myer, RDH

Dimensions Facebook Commenter

A power toothbrush. Flossing is important but a hard skill to learn and difficult for many seniors.

Melissa Calhoun, RDH, MSDH

Dimensions Facebook Commenter

Starting education early. Educating women of childbearing age about the importance of oral healthcare before and during pregnancy. The oral health of pregnant women can affect the future oral health of their children.

Ann Cote, RDH, MSHA

Dimensions Brand Ambassador

Making sure your patients understand you when you educate them, and providing a tailored oral hygiene instruction to fit their needs.

Aurora M. Graves DeMarco, BA, RDH, CDA

Dimensions Brand Ambassador

The word “support.” As hygienists, it is our job to help each patient achieve their best oral health. Not our idea of perfect oral health. Through education, compassion, and understanding, we can help our patients grow in their abilities over time. Health is a lifelong goal that must be curated, not rushed.

Ashley Hope, CRDH, CDA

Dimensions Brand Ambassador

I truly believe the most important factor in supporting great oral health throughout a lifetime is educating children and parents. Children are our future and the more we can support their understanding of how important their dentition is, the better. Maintaining a healthy dentition is linked to having a healthy body, but, unfortunately, that’s not how generations before us were taught. We can support those generations with improving their knowledge but we can improve the oral health of generations to come with more education.

Social Commentary: Like Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s Facebook page at: facebook.com/dimensionsofdentalhygiene to share your thoughts on posted questions. We may publish your comment in an upcoming edition of our new column “Social Commentary,” and one lucky respondent will receive a coupon for a free continuing education course.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. February 2022;20(2):13.