Contents
This Month’s Features
Effectively classifying caries lesions and implementing nonsurgical therapies, such as fluoride usage, can help reduce the damage done by tooth decay.
The Role of Nicotine in Caries Risk and Development
Research demonstrates a direct relationship between smoking and Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation that raises the risk for dental caries.
Troubleshooting Instrumentation of Furcations, Concavities, and Depressions
The use of site-specific ultrasonic inserts/tips can help improve the success of nonsurgical periodontal therapy.
Topical Anesthetics for Dental Hygiene Procedures
Alternative pain control modalities offer soft tissue anesthesia, providing clinicians with additional options.
Continuing Education
Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoid Use
Oral health professionals need to be aware of the systemic and oral health effects of the substances in this class of drugs.
Visible tattoos on oral health professionals can impact patients’ perception of care.
The cumulative effects of periodontal diseases make it difficult to distinguish long standing disease from age related incidence of disease.
A Closer Look at Gingival Recession
While not every case of recession requires treatment, evaluating etiology and precipitating factors will help clinicians determine the need for a therapeutic solution.
Departments
Editor’s Note
The Dental Drive campaign enables us to be a part of this global effort, and sounds like a perfect match for dental hygiene.
Ask the Expert
Addressing Precavitated Lesions in Toddlers
I want to give a child the best chance of reversing the lesions with fluoride but I am concerned about exposing her to too much fluoride. What is the correct protocol?
Products and Services
A listing of featured products.
Product Profile: Duraflor® Ultra™ 5% Sodium Fluoride White Varnish by Medicom
Varnish Provides Fast Fluoride Release.
Product Profile: Interproximal Cleaning Solutions by GUM® Brand
At-Home Interproximal Care Compliance.
Product Profile: OraCoat® XyliMelts®
Discs Provide Dry Mouth Relief.
Resurge® Ultrasonic Cleaner Family by Dentsply Sirona
Ultrasonic Cleaner Offers High Capacity and Flexibility.
Newsline + Industry Info
Dimensions Board Member Co-Edits New Book
Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, director of research at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health and Dimensions of Dental Hygiene Editorial Advisory Board member, has co-edited a new book on oral disease prevention with Fotinos S. Panagakos DMD, PhD, global director of scientific affairs at Colgate-Palmolive Co.
Effects of Aging on Periodontal Health Investigated
The third installment of the continuing education (CE) series created in partnership with the American Academy of Periodontology and sponsored through an educational grant provided by Colgate looks at the effects of aging on the periodontium and what this means for the practicing clinician.
Reception Honors Recipient of the Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award
Dimensions of Dental Hygiene—alongside premier sponsor Colgate and supporting sponsors Patterson Dental and PDT Inc—honored Olga A.C. Ibsen, RDH, MS, FAADH, with The Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award at a reception on June 16.
Old Dominion Educator Receives Teaching Award
Ann M. Bruhn, BSDH, MS, an assistant professor and continuing education coordinator at the Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, recently received the 2017 College of Health Sciences Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award.
Dental Hygiene Educator, Program Director to Retire
Patricia Nunn, RDH, MS, director of the Dental Hygiene Program at Texas Woman’s University (TWU) in Denton is retiring on July 31, 2017, after a 44-year career in dental hygiene education.
Research Winners Announced at ADHA Meeting
The recipients of the 2017 Dentsply Sirona/American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Graduate Student Clinicians Research Awards were announced at a reception on June 15 during ADHA’s Annual Meeting in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dental Hygienist Named to Dimensions’ Corporate Council
Dimensions of Dental Hygiene is pleased to announce the addition of Amy Kinnamon, RDH, EFDA, to its Corporate Council.