ADHA Community Service Day conducted; National Dental Hygiene Month set for October
DentalEZ provided 12 Identafi oral cancer screening devices to ADHA hygienists who volunteered their time during the Community Service Day to perform oral cancer screenings to residents of the South Mountain Senior Center, a local organization located in Phoenix.
All attendees of ADHA 2012 were invited to participate in the 2012 Community Service Day Project. Approximately 50 hygienists signed up to volunteer for the event, and approximately 60 residents of the senior center were in attendance. Volunteers provided oral cancer screenings, oral health exams, toothbrush prophylaxis, fluoride varnish, and oral health education for the senior citizens.
After their oral care sessions, the seniors were directed to the Patient Education area where they received goody bags filled with additional educational information relevant to the older age group.
“We’re very happy that the Identafi was put to good use,” noted Randy Arner, VP of Marketing for DentalEZ Group. “Not only was there a crowd all day, but a suspicious lesion was found on one patient who will now receive follow-up care. Early detection is the key to surviving oral cancer so we’re very pleased to be able to help. Thanks to the ADHA for holding this event!”
ADHA member performs an oral cancer screening on a South Mountain Senior Center resident with the Identafi device.
National Dental Hygiene Month The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) announces that for the third year in a row, they are partnering with the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, manufacturer of Orbit gum, to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) during October.
As a Prevention Specialist, this year’s message will reinforce the home care instructions that you provide to your patients. The theme is: “Brush. Floss. Rinse. Chew…Keep It Clean, Keep it Healthy!” The theme continues to emphasize incorporating a simple oral health regimen into a busy day. Prevention is again the focal point of the NDHM consumer message.
ADHA is committed through its strategic plan to raise awareness of the dental hygiene profession and ADHA. ADHA stresses the value of working to increase public awareness about the importance of good oral hygiene and developing and following a simple daily oral health routine.
Materials available include:
• All ADHA members will be provided a free poster promoting this year’s campaign with the August issue of ACCESS magazine.
• The Parade of Prizes returns this October
• Free samples program
• Media outreach
• New: Spanish language materials
Chewing sugar-free gum, like Orbit, after eating is clinically proven to be an important part of good oral health. It stimulates the most important natural defense against tooth decay, saliva, which is turn helps fight cavities, neutralizes plaque acids, remineralizes enamel to strengthen teeth, and washes away food particles.
According to a 2001 study, over the course of two years, children who chewed gum after meals reduced dental decay by nearly 40 percent compared to non-chewers.(1) Recommending that patients chew sugar-free gum to compliment their daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing routine, especially after meals and snacks when they are on the go, is a good thing!
Visit the ADHA website (new this fall!) at www.adha.org for updates on NDHM!
Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS
To read previous articles in RDH eVillage FOCUS written by Maria Perno Goldie, go to articles.
