House of Delegates
Each spring VDHCA participates in the California Dental Hygienists'
Association House of Delegates. This meeting allows us to bring forward concerns
and legislation for the practice of dental hygiene. It is also a lot of FUN! Please consider joining us next year! |
Why be a member of your professional
organization? Empowering,
Supporting and Developing YOU! Not yet a member? Check
out the many tangible benefits of ADHA, CDHA and VCDHA membership: click here Looking beyond the "tangibles" ADHA and CDHA are the voice of the profession
in the legislative and regulatory arenas. As dental
hygiene faces the challenges of providing comprehensive preventative
services to all individuals who desire care, our professional
association is on the front line representing all hygienists. Join today Quarterly payment plan is now available. |
Save the Date! 2012 Get your California Dental Practice Act & Infection
Control mandatory courses all in one day!
Saturday Feb., 11th, 2011 from 8am-12pm Details to follow! The Dental Board of California has revised
the California Code of Minimum Standards for Infection Control in the Dental Setting Regulations effective August 20th, 2011.
These new regulations have incorporated important science based findings in the area of infection control. Section 1005 of
Division 10 of title 16 of the California Code of Regulations now conforms with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) changes
from 2003 and 2008. Come and learn the new regulations! |
Other
Opportunites To Serve
 The Juvenile Justice center in Oxnard: Serving the children in this facility has been
such a priveledge. They are respectful, appreciative and open to learning. I have enjoyed my hours in this facility and have
found this to be one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences I have ever had. Giving an hour or day can make such an impact.
If you would like volunteer here please contact Letty Hernandez at: 805-236-2174 or email lhernandezda@aol.com.
You must get registered to volunteer and have malpractice insurance to work at the facility. Simi Valley Free Clinic:The
Free Clinic of Simi Valley has an on-going need for volunteers. They serve all of Ventura County. Giving an hour or a day
can impact the smiles and lives of so many in the community. There is currently a waiting list of over 400 people. You giving your
time can make a big difference! Please contact Olga at 805-577-7482
or email o.lafflitto@sbcglobal.net 1725 Deodora St, 93065
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Understanding
Xylitol Noel Kelsch RDHAP
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, xylitol
is embraced by the dental community because of its noncariogenic properties and its potential role in caries prevention. Dentists
are recommending more xylitol-sweetened products, particularly chewing gum, to their patients. Benefits of xylitol Xylitol is a polyol, or sugar alcohol,
that possesses a sweetness similar to sugar, with approximately 40 percent fewer calories. It is derived from naturally
occuring products such as corn husks and birch bark. First used in Finland, xylitol has become a popular and
widespread sweetener and many products containing xylitol have been available in the United States for a number of years.
Today, xylitol can
be readily found in chewing gums, mouthwashes, toothpastes, candies, some pharmaceuticals, and other oral care products. Xylitol
is also gaining popularity as a sugar substitute in baked goods, a trend that is likely to continue. The dental benefits of xylitol have been known since the 1970s. Xylitol
is not metabolized by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), making it nonacidogenic and thus noncariogenic. Studies have also
indicated that xylitol decreases the levels of S. mutans in both plaque and saliva. As a result, patients who
use xylitol have demonstrated a reduction in decay and gingivitis. There are on going studies for the use of xylitol
for ear infection, bladder infections and a host of other conditions. Dosing and frequency guidelines for xylitol have not yet been established for its use
as a therapeutic agent because there have been no prospective studies designed to determine the dose-response and frequency-response
relationship of xylitol and S. mutans or dental caries. As the guidelines for the effective use of xylitol are being clarified,
some studies have suggested a range of six to 10 grams (divided into three consumptions per day) to be effective in reducing
S. mutans and preventing caries when chewing xylitol-sweetened gum. Other studies have shown that lower doses more frequently
are equally effective. Xylitol and other polyols are slowly absorbed
by the human intestines; as a result, they have minimal side effects on humans. Some minor side effects, mainly
diarrhea, are possible, although this generally occurs after ingesting a large amount of xylitol (four to five times the recommended
amount for caries prevention). A 1982 study in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research suggested that
the body can adapt to higher dosages of xylitol and that symptoms can subside as the body's tolerance increases. It's
important to note that xylitol, even in small quantities, is toxic to dogs. I hope that you will come and join us as we learn the many benefits of this product at
the November CE. |
A Few Tips From The New Regulations for
Infection Control Noel Kelsch RDHAP The update from
the Dental Board of California is a great reminder of the recommendations from the Center for Disease Controls science-based
findings. Here are a few
of the new regulations aimed at keeping the consumer and the dental care professional safe! 1.
Instruments, items, and devices processed by high-level disinfection (cold sterile) must be packaged or wrapped and dated
upon completion of the disinfection process. 2. Utility gloves that are chemical and puncture resistant must now be worn by anyone working with germicides
or hazardous chemicals and when processing contaminated instruments or cleaning a room. 3. If an office has more than one sterilizer, instrument pouches, packages, and wraps must be labeled with
the date of sterilization and sterilizer used. 4.Hand
washing with soap and water must be performed at the start and end of each workday. Alcohol-based hand rubs may still be used
in between glove changes as long as hands are not visibly soiled or contaminated. 5. Protective eyewear and face shields must be cleaned and disinfected after each patient
treatment. 6.Masks are single use items and
must disposed of when contaminated and between each patient. Come join us for our infection control course Feb, 4th, 2012 to learn all these new regulations
and more! |
|  Hygienists Making a Difference
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness
Month. Four Members of Ventura Component (from left to right: Peggy Lee, Kim Stanulis, Theresa Quilico & Pam
Hughes) that have fought the battle and won are being recognized nationally by Dux Dental in their Bib-eze for Boob-eze campaign. |
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Presidents Message: Kim Stanulis
Another school year is upon us. I am certainly glad I don't have school
aged children, but for those who do, have fun, enjoy, have patience and deep pockets. If you attended the August Dux meeting, you know what a good
meeting it was. It was more like a party to me. It was fantastic. Thank you all who helped participate in the event especially
our board members. We have a good round of classes for this next year too, so be ready to take a look and sign up. One of our newest members is Jessica
Ramirez and she is going to be our membership chair. At our last board meeting, she asked us as a new member what she could
tell people about the benefits of being a member of ADHA. We randomly came up with a list of words and comments
that best describes why we are members. Here it is: philosophy, guidance, membership, responsibility, fellowship, support,
networks, friendships, continuing education, requirement, part of being a profession, always have been, just do it, change
we want to be, everyone does a little bit, ethics, nontangible benefits, you get what you want out of it. Basically, all the
parts make it whole. Sound a bit like life, doesn't it? I recently came across the ADHA code of ethics basic beliefs. Summarized
it states: - the service we provide contributes
to the health and well being of the society - serve the public by preventing and treating oral disease, and to achieve and maintain optimal
health through our education and licensure. -
all people should have access to health care including oral health care. - We are responsible for our actions and the quality of care we provide. Why are you a member? Why are you not a member?
Have a healthy
happy year. See you soon. Kim Stanulis |
Your Hands Making a Difference
Spotlight on Mary I am Mary Rene Newton. I am one of the AP (Alternative Practice) Hygienists
in our Ventura County Component. I am co-chairman for Community Health. I have been a hygienist for over 20 years
and before that was a DA and then a RDA. I have been interested in dentistry since I was 15 years old. I can still remember
the day I started thinking about teeth. They happened to be my teeth at the time, but that was the day I started thinking
how important it was to take care of your teeth, and your gums, or mine on this particular day, was one of the most important
part. I had my teeth cleaned by a hygienist and she told me that my gums "looked like I was 30 years old." What?
I was only 15, how could that be? She explained, that not only was I not doing a thorough job with my brushing but it looked
like my flossing was nonexistent. Which by the way was so true! That really made an impact on me! I was horrified and I was
embarrassed too! So, from that day forward I've had a thing for teeth, and especially gums! True story.
So
now that I have introduced myself, I wanted to let you know that your Board has a very hard time saying NO, at least when
it comes to helping the community, coming to the aid of a fellow hygienist or trying to bring you the best CE's around.
That is why for the month of October National Dental Hygiene Month we have several events scheduled that will help our fellow
Ventura County residents. So how can you help?
East
County: Sunday, October 16th, 10am- 4pm at the Simi Valley Town Center Health Expo. We will be collecting donations
to help buy the Simi Valley Dental Free Clinic a new piece of equipment, handing out pamphlets on Oral Cancer and giving out
xylitol samples and educating anyone that stops by about oral cancer, xylitol and the proper storing of manual toothbrushes. West County: Sunday, October 16th, 8am-4pm
LaColonia Fluoride Varnish and Patient Education Clinic. At this clinic last year we were able to reach 498 clients with prevention
and education! Please join us for a day filled with giving!
Karen's
thoughts 7th Annual National Make
a Difference Day Sat. October 22. Simi Valley Free Clinic: National Make a Difference Day is the third Saturday in
October and we will be celebrating at the Simi Valley Free dental Clinic from 8am-2pm. Mary Newton and Noel Kelsch will provide
2 hours of FREE CE's from 8-10am. We will be cleaning children's teeth from 10am-2pm. There is such a great
need in Ventura County so we hope you will want to help make a difference in someone's life even for an hour, a day, once
a week, once a month or once a year. I began volunteering at the SV Free Dental Clinic after I met Jessica, a third grade
student in a SV Elementary School where I was giving a demonstration of brushing , flossing, and eating healthy during National
Children's Dental Health Month. She was only 9 years old and already teeth #8 & #9 were so badly decayed it broke
my heart to realize what was ahead for this young child if something wasn't done to help her. So please join me and all
the other volunteers this October to Make a Difference in Ventura County. Sincerely, Karen Michinock, VCDHA Community Health
Co-Chair
If this sounds as exciting to you as it does to us, please contact Mary
at 805-404-6663 or newtones1@aol.com Karen at 805-581-1797 or contactkaren@aol.com PLEASE sign up for a few hours for at
least one of the events planned and volunteer in the month of October. - Mary Newton and Karen Michinock |
Upcoming
CE's
Thurs., November 10th, 6:30-8:30pm Topic: "Xylitol: The Next Frontier in Our Fight Against Dental Decay"
2 Units
Speaker: Susan Clark, RDH
Sponsored By Xlear Inc. The Course: We have the
technology and products available for our patients to developlifelong strategies for maintaining
good oral health, but still they are getting tooth decay and gum disease. Getting our patients to avoid sweets between meals
and snacks, brush after every meal and floss every day is a lost cause. So what is the alternative? The answer
is XYLITOL! If you would be interested in receiving some xylitol products, literature and discount coupons to offer to your
dental patients, please bring your office business card to the meeting. The Speaker: Susan Clark
is a native New Yorker who resides in Temecula, California. She has Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene, Humanities
and is a Myofunctional Orofacial Therapist. She is a Product Educator for Xlear, INC. where she has begun a grass roots movement
encouraging all dental hygiene associations throughout the United States to pass a resolution advocating xylitol for its preventive
and therapeutic benefits. To-date, ten states have approved this proposal. Susan is an active member of the CDHA
and ADHA. In addition, she is has authored and self-published "Exploring Dental Hygiene, Finding the Hidden Rewards." Cost: $25 ADHA Members and Assistants by November
1 $39 Potential ADHA Members and Dentists by November 1
$49 at the Door
ADHA Members
who paid the special $99 for all courses this year are free for this course Location: The Star Press Camarillo, Community Room 550 Camarillo Center Dr., Camarillo Behind the Camarillo Outlets Register: www.VCDHA.com You can use Pay Pal or print the form off the website
Need help with registration? Email: vcdha805@aol.com |
Something
to Share With Your Patients That Have Children Noel Kelsch RDHAP Spike in Tooth Decay, Dental Problems Linked to Reliance on Spill-Proof Cups Sippy cups are a godsend to parents of toddlers, but they need to be used
wisely and properly in order to ensure optimum oral health. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, and
that sippy cups containing milk, juice, punch and soda are leading to a rise in these numbers. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry offers the following tips: - A sippy cup is a training tool to help children transition
from a bottle to a cup. It should not be used for a long period of time; - Sippy cups are meant to be used as a transition from a bottle to a cup -- ideally they should
only be used for about a three-month period, after which, a child should be using a regular cup; - Unless at mealtime, a sippy cup should only be filled with water - Never put a child down for a nap with a sippy cup or
allow him or her to use one for a long period of time. This could cause malformation of the roof of the mouth. Do not use
it as a bottle or pacifier; - Chronic use
of a sippy cup frequently results in oral-motor and/or speech disorders, malocclusion, and "tongue thrust" swallowing
patterns. By paying attention to these
issues and taking their children in for regular checkups starting at age 1, parents can give their children smiles they can
be proud of for a lifetime. Oral health directly correlates to physical health and self-esteem. |
Legislative
Update
by Katie Dawson
REVISION OF INFECTION CONTROL REGULATIONS - A revised California Code of Minimum
Standards for Infection Control in the Dental Setting Regulations became effective August 20, 2011. The revision was a collaborative
effort of the Dental Board of California and the Dental Hygiene Committee of California, with input from Noel Kelsch, RDHAP,
member of the CDHA Government Relations Council and a nationally recognized speaker and writer on infection control protocols.
Noel has prepared an extensive overview of the revisions which will appear in an article on the CDHA website during the month
of September.
DENTAL
HYGIENE COMMITTEE OF CALIFORNIA - The DHCC is celebrating two years of existence and recognition as the first and only dental
hygiene self-regulating agency in the nation. The DHCC, housed at the California Department of Consumer Affairs in Sacramento,
is an agency comprised of dental hygienists, public members and a dentist, meets throughout the state two to three times each
year.
The
next meeting of the DHCC will be held December 11 through 13; the location has not been posted on the DHCC website
and is yet to be determined; the usual location is the Department of Consumer Affairs hearings room in Sacramento. Many oral
health professionals are becoming aware of the vast resource of information related to scope of practice and licensure now
available through the DHCC. Recent meetings of the DHCC have been webcast allowing the profession and the public to listen
in on the proceedings; the full agenda packet is available on the DHCC website at www.dhcc.ca.gov/about_us/committee_meetings.shtml.
Questions
about dental hygiene scope of practice are frequently sent to the American Dental Hygienists' Association and the California
Dental Hygienists' Association. Another resource for information on statutes and regulations governing the practice of
dental hygiene is the DHCC.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
- Can the dental hygienist use a laser for periodontal therapy? The answer is yes, the dental hygienist may use a laser
for the removal of diseased epithelial lining of the gingival sulcus. The concern is preparation for performing this therapy
- was the clinician "trained" or "certified". The law does not require certification, however, for professional
protection of your license, it is in the professional standard of care and the best interest of the clinician to be certified
in a two-day course that includes didactic as well as clinical practice on the jaw of a cow or pig.
- Electronic Fingerprint Requirement --
Effective July 1, 2011 electronic fingerprinting is required for all dental hygiene license renewals. You are required to
have your fingerprints recorded using the Livescan service in California if you have not already done so. Unfortunately, the
paper fingerprint cards used historically no longer fulfill this new legal requirement.
- Can the RDH perform direct supervision duties
when the dentist is out of the office?The answer is no, the dental hygienist may not perform the three direct supervision
duties when the employer of record is out of the office. The neighboring dentist can not provide supervision in the absence
of the employer dentist.
Katie L. Dawson, BS, RDHAP Chair, CDHA Government Relations Council |
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