Don’t Let it End

 

As April comes to a close, please don’t let Oral Cancer Awareness end. As dental professionals, we are on the front lines and we must be diligent and consistent in our screening efforts.

As a dentist or hygienist, you’re not expected to ‘diagnose’ oral cancer. However, your work is critical to early detection.

Please screen and identify possible pathology
Please refer to the appropriate provider for definitive diagnosis
Please document in detail what your screening reveals and your referrals
Please check in with patients after referrals to be sure they follow through

Here’s a very thorough review of the head and neck screening. While every provider may do this a little differently, screening consistently is key.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more on Oral Cancer Awareness and #IHTeamScreen.

Are you missing this critical piece?

 

Often when we ask dentists and hygienists if they regularly perform an oral cancer screening they say emphatically, ‘Well, of course I do!’

Then, when we ask if that includes an extraoral head and neck screening, the answer is quite different. We’re all human and with the hectic schedule of a dental office, things do get missed occasionally. What we find, however, is that the head and neck screening is rarely a consistent piece of the dental hygiene exam.

I urge you to read this vulnerable and impactful article by one of our Lead Coaches, Kathryn Gilliam that outlines The Dental Professional’s Role in Head and Neck Cancer.

Click the image below to access the article.

Are you interested in learning how Inspired Hygiene can help your dental practice? Use this link to schedule your Hygiene Opportunity Assessment.

Do you believe it? Book Rec

 

If you’re not convinced that oral infection and inflammation are a serious risk factor for cardiovascular disease, you need this book.

And if you DO believe it, you need this book! It’s that good.

The latest book from innovators in healthcare, Dr. Bale & Dr. Doneen, is an easy to read guide for reducing CVD, Diabetes and Dementia risk for you, your family and your patients. It’s full of real-life stories and realistic strategies that will give you inspiration AND ways to educate your patients to the importance of the Life-Saving screenings every dental team is capable of providing.

Check out this video for a shocking statement about the role of oral inflammation.

To schedule a complimentary Discovery Session to learn more about the potential of your hygiene department, click here, call us at (704) 541-0995, or email us at info@inspiredhygiene.com.

Can you spot heart disease with a glance?

 

I am always preaching that stepping into the role of healthcare provider is critical for dentistry to be seen as essential by our patients and colleagues in medicine.

At Inspired Hygiene, we help hygienists learn critical thinking skills that allow them to practice at a higher, more comprehensive level as a healthcare provider.

Today’s video and the article linked below it are resources to build on our ability to impact our patients overall health and help identify potentially dangerous health conditions our patients may not be aware of.

Remember, YOU are a healthcare provider.

Click here for the article “What a Selfie Can Reveal About Your Heart Health”.

If you’d like to learn more about the potential of your hygiene department, schedule a complimentary Discovery Session.