Giving the Gift of Dental Hygiene

On Saturday February 11, 2012 Registered Dental Hygienists all across Canada will be giving a 'Gift from the Heart'. This will be a day for independent dental hygienists to give back and provide their services to those who cannot afford it. The day provides an opportunity to educate the public about the link between oral health and overall health. It also allows dental hygienists to be recognized as an independent profession.

Focus on Dental Health on Menzies St. is participating in this volunteer day to provide their services to those in the community who might otherwise not be able to afford it. They will be the third clinic in BC and the first on Vancouver Island to host this event. Cheri Wu and Darcie Frederikson, local tooth fairies, presented this idea to the James Bay Youth clinic, the Horizon's Community Center and Vancouver Island Health Authority and asked them to refer potential candidates. In just a few days the response was surprising . They only have space for 12 people and are hoping that other independent hygiene clinics will get involved in the future to reach out to even more people.

'Gift from the Heart' day was first celebrated in Ontario in 2009, where 75 hygiene practitioners volunteered to provide their services to bring a smile to the face of a stranger. It has grown every year and spread across the country. Today there are 41 independent practices registered to volunteer in Ontario, 6 in Alberta and 3 in BC. Focus on Dental Hygiene Centre in James Bay is the only local participant registered thus far.

The American Academy of Periodontology has recognized the link between oral health and heart health with research dating back to 2000.

• There have been positive correlations between pathogens present in active gum disease and pathogens present in the arterial plaque removed from cardiac patients.
• There is proof that inflammation caused from gum disease increases the risk of heart attack because of the increased stress on the heart muscle.

Dental Hygiene has been independently recognized as its own profession since 1994. In the same year, the very first independent clinic was opened in Kelowna, BC. Today there are more than 3400 hygienists registered in the province and 26 independent hygiene clinics or mobile businesses in the province.

Ontario research shows that an independent hygiene clinic makes it easier for the general public to access oral hygiene care.