Kelsey Trail Health Region

Spotlight on Oral Health
Winter 2012
Volume 14, Issue 1
GRADE 3 STUDENTS EXCITED TO TAKE
PART IN THE T
FLUORIDE MOUTHRINSE
“DOIN THE SWISH” PROGRAM
Inside this issue:
Spotlight on Oral
Maternal Health
2
Dental
Treatment during
Pregnancy
MI Paste -
vitamins for your
teeth
Oral Health
Assessment
3
4
5
Carter Lathlin in Grade 3 demonstrates the use of fluoride mouthrinse.
Stobart Elementary Community School has provided the fluoride
mouthrinse program to their students for seven years. This is a
partnership with Saskatoon Health Region and this year they are
one of 6 schools involved in a pilot project to use the new
pre-mixed fluoride solution. The already mixed fluoride helps
to make the process easier for everyone. Marie Fredrickson-
Gamble, an Educational Assistant at Stobart, has been involved
in delivering the program since the beginning and is very excited
to have 100% of students participating this year! They are the
largest school and one of only a few schools in the entire health
region with this much success. Julie Laberge-Lalonde is the
Dental Health Educator with the Saskatoon Health Region who
supports this program in their school. – submitted by Howard Wieler,
Have your own story to share? Send it in! We love to showcase the amazing staff
that we work and partner with to improve oral health for Saskatchewan children!
The total number of
Fluoride Mouthrinse
Programs in
Saskatchewan was
230.
That adds up to
21, 380 participants
who are “Doin the
Swish” and are
benefiting from the
cavity fighting
powers of Fluoride!
More inside!
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Spotlight on Oral Health
Excerpts from the report on ‘Maternal Oral Health and Pregnancy Outcomes’
Myth: A pregnant woman loses a tooth for every child she has.
Fact: Loosing a tooth during pregnancy is an old wives tale. Tooth loss during pregnancy
could be due to poor oral health or due to hormonal changes in the oral cavity that
predispose women to lose teeth. (Al Habashneh, Guthmiller, Levy, Johnson, Squier, Dawson, & Fang,
2005).
Myth: A woman loses calcium from her teeth during pregnancy and develops cavities as a
result.
Fact: The main source of calcium for the fetus is the diet of the pregnant women. Tooth
calcium is stable and is not influenced by the pregnant women’s increased demand for
calcium. Development of cavities is due to poor oral health, frequent snacking,
poor oral hygiene habits, etc. (Scheutz, Baelium, Matee, & Mwangosi, 2002).
Myth: Dental work during pregnancy should be avoided.
Fact: Many pregnant women do not consider dental care to be a priority during
pregnancy. Most women are unaware of the negative effects of not seeking dental care
on themselves and their future child. (Gaffield, Gilbert, & Makvitz, 2001; NYSDH, 2006).
Myth: Dental X-rays are harmful during pregnancy for both the mother and the fetus
Fact: Dental x-rays are safe during pregnancy. Modern dental x-ray procedures use
protective clothing (lead apron, thyroid collar, etc.), follow the principle of
‘ALARA’ (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) and use the latest technology. It
is estimated that the uterine radiation dose from full mouth x-rays is 75
times less than the natural uterine radiation exposure.
(Matteson et al., 1991; Freeman & Brand, 1994; Carlton, Adler, & Burns, 2000).
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Volume 14, Issue 1
Pregnancy is no different than any other phases of a women’s life
when seeking dental care. It is not only recommended, but is also
safe. The benefits of treatment outweigh the risks from not treating. There are several
beliefs, misconceptions and myths associated with dental care during pregnancy. It is
important to identify the myths and know the facts so women know which treatment
procedures are safe during pregnancy.
The second and early third trimester are considered to be safe and ideal for any kind of
dental treatment, but it is however not the only time to provide dental care. Treatment
such as cleanings, polishing, and emergency dental procedures (tooth removal and root
canal therapy) can be provided at any time during the pregnancy to relieve pain and
control the spread of infection. Elective procedures such as partial dentures, crown &
bridge work, and cosmetic treatment such as veneers and tooth whitening can be
delayed until after pregnancy or second or early third trimester.
(Levy, 2004; APA, 2007; Little, Falace, Miller, & Rhodus, 2008; CDA, 2010)
-Compiled by Carli Haffner and Vinay Pilly
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, Saskatoon, SK
http://landisville-dentist.blog.landisvilledentist.com/
For online dental resources, visit http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/dental-health-infancy
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Spotlight on Oral Health
Saliva helps to provide important minerals that strengthen teeth and protect enamel (the
outer surface of the tooth). Many of our day to day activities can create an acid
imbalance in our mouth that makes it difficult to produce saliva and protective minerals.
MI Paste is a one-of a kind product that restores minerals and helps produce saliva. It
uses a special milk-derived protein that is a breakthrough in oral care, helping to
strengthen teeth. It is a water-based, sugar free cream that is applied directly to the tooth
surface or the mouth.
MI Paste is ideal for:
• Reversing tooth sensitivity
• Restoring enamel after whitening procedures
• Reducing high oral acid levels from excessive soft drink
consumption
• Buffering acids produced by bacteria and plaque
http://www.mi-paste.com/
• During orthodontic treatment (braces) - to prevent and reverse white spots
• For pregnant women
• For children 6 years and younger
• To provide extra protection for teeth.
For more information about MI Paste, visit
http://www.mi-paste.com/about.php
or contact your Dental Health Educator or local dental office.
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Volume 14, Issue 1
A core component of the exciting new Enhanced Preventive Dental Services Initiative is
the Oral Health Assessment. It targets all Saskatchewan children from 2 months of age to
five years of age. An oral health assessment, which is currently provided by Public Health
Nurses during the child immunization visit will become a standard practice across
Saskatchewan.
Dental Health Educators and Dental Therapists have always enjoyed a collaborative
relationship with Public Health Nurses. By employing standard tools such as the
Saskatchewan Child Health Clinic Guidelines, all children and parents can benefit from
early key oral health information as well as an oral health assessment.
Collaboration between healthcare professionals can ensure that children identified with
dental needs will be referred on to an appropriate oral health care professional for care.
Oral care begins early and at home. When taking your child for immunizations, feel free
to ask about your child’s oral health and request a copy of the many printed dental
resources available about oral health and oral care.
For online dental resources, visit: http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/dental-parent-guide
Your editors would love to hear from you!!
barb.ing@rqhealth.ca — Barb Ing
clesperance@paphr.sk.ca — Cathleen Lesperance
kim.areneson@rqhealth.ca — Kim Arneson
oralhealh@pnrha.ca — Ashley White
From your Dental Health Educator
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