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New models are needed
For many years, British adults have been offered “free” dental care under the National Health Service (NHS). This is just what many Canadian public opinion polls are saying is wanted in Canada. But while dental care in the UK is “free”, it is increasingly undesirable. Dental attendance at NHS clinics has declined steadily, and pre-pandemic,…
Read MoreImproving diabetes management
The Diabetes Care Community regular newsletter to Canadian adults with diabetes and pre-diabetes, reports there is scope to improve the management of this common chronic disease. Note the percentage of Canadian diabetics NOT receiving regular observation of contributors or side effects of this condition: 49% did not receive an annual foot exam 26% did not…
Read MoreThe direction of oral healthcare
DentaQuest is one of the largest and most influential dental insurers in the US. DentaQuest makes most of its money from processing dental claims. So it is interested in more dental procedures not less. Yet where does DentaQuest think oral healthcare is going — see the following infographic. 10 years ago DentaQuest would likely show…
Read MoreThe fastest growing healthcare profession?
It is called “independent hygiene” or “IH”. IH emerged in Ontario in 2007 as a response of the provincial government to the unaffordability of dental care, particularly to senior citizens who had lost their dental coverage just when their oral health began to decline. In 2007, there were a handful of independent hygienists in Ontario.…
Read MoreThe role of hygiene in managing COVID-19
Some dental researchers are suggesting poor oral health/chronic oral inflammation raises the risks for severe forms of COVID-19. And they are likely right. Oral inflammation is strongly linked to diabetes, aging, hypertension and CVD, and COPD, all of which predispose danger in the pandemic. But is that the real issue? My guess is that even…
Read MoreChange your mindset
COVID-19 is leaving a legacy of urgent change. Particularly in how we go about delivering and consuming oral healthcare. Six months ago, the surgical, invasive and cosmetic models of oral healthcare were humming along. Now, not so much. Dental visits are down, costs are up and there is legitimate concern about the future if these…
Read MoreCognitive function & oral healthcare
Two new scientific developments are important to the future of oral healthcare, and in particular independent hygiene. First, an early stage clinical study suggests that blocking a byproduct from one oral bacteria, P. gingivalis, can improve memory function. Refer to the following chart. Second, other studies show that P. gingivalis is but one bacteria in…
Read MoreThe right conditions for prevention
The shingles vaccine is growing in popularity. When first introduce in 2008, about 8% of older Americans got immunized. In 2019, more than 1 in 3 did. This trend has been influenced by financial subsidies, by growing confidence among the prescribers, and by public awareness and opinion. Despite the vocal campaign of the anti vaxxers,…
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