Introduction: What happened at EuroPerio8?

As you read this, I am attending the ADHA 92nd Annual Session in Nashville, Tennessee, which provides many opportunities for continuing education and networking. There are also a number of awards being presented, among them the Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Awards. This year the award will be presented to JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD. JoAnn is a friend, colleague, and a regular contributor to RDH magazine. Congratulations JoAnn!

Catherine Waldron, MSc, MA, of Ireland and Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS, having fun at EuroPerio 8.

I just returned from a very successful EuroPerio8 meeting in London, England. I have dedicated this newsletter to the information learned at that meeting. While the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) is only about 25 years old, it has 29 National Periodontal Member Societies from across Europe, and is extremely progressive. The EFP’s MANIFESTO: Perio and General Health “is a call to action in terms of prevention, early detection and treatment of periodontitis. It is the first formal declaration in international dentistry to condense years of research into the links between periodontal disease and systemic illnesses into an acknowledgement of periodontitis as a major public health issue.” (1) The next meeting EuroPerio meeting will be in Amsterdam in 2018.

Did you miss these FDA warnings?
In 2011, the FDA posted of which many are not aware. It states that applying benzocaine gels and liquids to babies’ mouths for teething pain can possibly be very dangerous. (2) It may cause a rare but sometimes lethal disorder called methemoglobinemia. Read the information provided and share with patients, friends, and family members. A more recent (May 28, 2015) warning, Unintentional Injection of Soft Tissue Filler into Blood Vessels in the Face: FDA Safety Communication, is meant for health-care providers who inject patients with facial soft-tissue fillers or individuals considering or who have undergone the procedure. Many US states (e.g., California) and Canadian provinces allow dentists to legally administer fillers if they are adequately trained. (4) Many patients have had fillers placed around their mouth area as well. Just as oral health professionals aspirate when giving intraoral injections to ascertain if they are in a blood vessel, there are safeguards to prevent accidental injection of soft tissue fillers in a blood vessel. (3)

Upcoming events
Registration is now open for the International Dental Hygiene Educator's Forum (IDHEF), Wednesday, October 28 in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The lineup of speakers is outstanding, and you can stay to attend the CDHA Educator’s Workshop and their National Conference, EXPLORE. You can view the registration brochure here. Go to the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) website under “Special Events” for the registration brochure. (5)

And last, but certainly not least, the countdown has begun for RDH UOR! (6) Don’t miss this opportunity to attend outstanding continuing education courses to continue your life long leaning, further develop your skills, learn about new products, become connected with fellow dental hygienists, and have a few laughs along the way. See you there!

Sincerely,