By Maria Perno Goldie RDH, MS
Research has shown, and experts agree, that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease Therefore, treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal diseases but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions.
Obesity is said to aggravate this situation, and chemicals like antioxidants and losing excess weight may lower the level of body-wide inflammation. Higher consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil will also substantially lower inflammatory markers. Nutritional intervention might be a useful method of improving our preventative and therapeutic approaches when guiding our patients.
Authors in this newsletter will review the literature regarding antioxidants and periodontal disease, and the effects of supplementation on disease.
February was National Children's Dental Health Month. Its goal was to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. However, it is important to help children all year. Eliminating childhood tooth decay and ensuring that all children can access the comprehensive care they need for healthy, happy, and productive futures is a goal of the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation. Read more about their efforts below. Thanks to all authors who have written for this newsletter!
Sincerely,
Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS
To read previous RDH eVillage FOCUS introductions by Editorial Director Maria Perno Goldie, go to introductions.
Dental hygienists promote healthy habits for children through Esther Wilkins International Education ProgramBy Fern Ingber, Founding President & CEO of the National Children’s Oral Health FoundationThe Esther Wilkins International Education Program (EWIEP), a special program of National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) for dental hygienists, is focused on preventing children's pain and suffering from severe pediatric dental disease. Chaired by Michele Darby, BSDH, MS, Anna Pattison, RDH, MS, Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS, and Rebecca Wilder, RDH, MS, this innovative program provides dental hygienists with community educational materials to help promote good oral health practices among children, parents and caregivers.
Dental hygienists, dental hygiene students and dental hygienist programs are already reaching thousands of children with vital oral health education through this rapidly growing program. Program volunteers have found the educational materials to be excellent resources for community outreach. For more information, go to www.ncohf.org/professionals/hygienists/.
