Patient FAQ from Dental Hygiene Educational Consultant


	Have teeth? Thank your dental hygienist! Dental hygienists are a community of professionals devoted to the prevention of disease and the promotion and improvement of the public's health. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to the public. Want Some Lifesaving Advice? Ask Your Dental Hygienist. View an ABC News Video Clip "Your Gums Are Your Life" with Dr. Tim Johnson (1/23/07) who explains the important role of the dental hygienist in preventing life-threatening diseases such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart attacks. He mentions taking care of your teeth and receiving dental treatment to keep them healthy. In addition, the Oral Health Report by the US Surgeon General and commissioned by the Health and Human Services Secretary is the first-ever comprehensive report on the status of the nation’s oral health. In the report there is a discussion about how oral health is related to one's overall health. The report concluded that if left untreated, poor oral health acts as the silent factor promoting the onset of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which are responsible for the deaths of millions of Americans each year. Here are a few excerpts from the Report: Many systemic diseases and conditions have oral manifestations. These manifestations may be the initial sign of clinical disease and as such serve to inform clinicians and individuals of the need for further assessment. The oral cavity is a portal of entry as well as the site of disease for microbial infections that affect general health status. The oral cavity and its functions can be adversely affected by many pharmaceuticals and other therapies commonly used in treating systemic conditions. The oral complications of these therapies can compromise patient compliance with treatment. Animal and population-based studies have demonstrated an association between periodontal diseases and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which these associations are causal or coincidental. Oral health is related to well-being and quality of life as measured along functional, psychosocial, and economic dimensions. Diet, nutrition, sleep, psychological status, social interaction, school, and work are affected by impaired oral and craniofacial health. The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician/dentist. I will not give out any dental advice online since my malpractice insurance has advised me of the following: "If you establish a patient-provider relationship with an online participant, you owe that person a duty of care. If such a relationship exists and the participant is harmed because of the advice you provided, he could sue you claiming that you did not meet the standard of care. And because you acted outside the scope of your employment-you provided health-related advice while off-duty-your malpractice insurance might not cover you. Depending on state law, you also may put your license at risk if you provide health-related advice to a participant who lives in a state where you don't hold a license, or if your advice doesn't fall within the scope of your practice." Updated 3/2008. We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.

Have teeth? Thank your dental hygienist!

Dental hygienists are a community of professionals devoted to the prevention of disease and the promotion and improvement of the public's health. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to the public.

Want Some Lifesaving Advice?
Ask Your Dental Hygienist.

View an ABC News Video Clip "Your Gums Are Your Life" with Dr. Tim Johnson (1/23/07) who explains the important role of the dental hygienist in preventing life-threatening diseases such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart attacks. He mentions taking care of your teeth and receiving dental treatment to keep them healthy.

In addition, the Oral Health Report by the US Surgeon General and commissioned by the Health and Human Services Secretary is the first-ever comprehensive report on the status of the nation’s oral health. In the report there is a discussion about how oral health is related to one's overall health. The report concluded that if left untreated, poor oral health acts as the silent factor promoting the onset of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which are responsible for the deaths of millions of Americans each year. Here are a few excerpts from the Report:

Many systemic diseases and conditions have oral manifestations. These manifestations may be the initial sign of clinical disease and as such serve to inform clinicians and individuals of the need for further assessment.
The oral cavity is a portal of entry as well as the site of disease for microbial infections that affect general health status.
The oral cavity and its functions can be adversely affected by many pharmaceuticals and other therapies commonly used in treating systemic conditions. The oral complications of these therapies can compromise patient compliance with treatment.
Animal and population-based studies have demonstrated an association between periodontal diseases and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which these associations are causal or coincidental.
Oral health is related to well-being and quality of life as measured along functional, psychosocial, and economic dimensions. Diet, nutrition, sleep, psychological status, social interaction, school, and work are affected by impaired oral and craniofacial health.

The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician/dentist. I will not give out any dental advice online since my malpractice insurance has advised me of the following: "If you establish a patient-provider relationship with an online participant, you owe that person a duty of care. If such a relationship exists and the participant is harmed because of the advice you provided, he could sue you claiming that you did not meet the standard of care. And because you acted outside the scope of your employment-you provided health-related advice while off-duty-your malpractice insurance might not cover you. Depending on state law, you also may put your license at risk if you provide health-related advice to a participant who lives in a state where you don't hold a license, or if your advice doesn't fall within the scope of your practice." Updated 3/2008.

We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information:
verify here.