Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Hot Topics in Dental Hygiene


EFT

Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is a form of acupressure that uses gentle tapping to stimulate acupuncture points. Techniques are being used to prevent gag reflexes while taking oral radiographs. By using the technique the body’s energy system is able to balance and relax. I find this interesting and I feel it probably works. A technique I use to help patients with gag reflexes is having them raise one of their legs and concentrating on holding it up. It tends to work well. I think this is the same concept. You are encouraging the patient to concentrate on something else and also relax their mind. The concern with EFT is that patients may use it for other underlining health issues.


Measles

The measles outbreak has increased significantly. Outbreaks have been reported in 38 countries and found in 23 states in the US since June of 2011. The virus grows on the back of the throat and lungs. The major concern is due to professionals not knowing/seeing the signs of the measles because it has been so rare for decades. Dental professionals should be checking for koplik spots which line the buccal and labial mucosa. I was not aware of this outbreak. I will now be keeping an eye out for koplik spots when examining patients.


Airfloss

Airfloss is a new technology developed by Phillips sonicare that removes plaque biofilm from between teeth using rapid burst of air and water droplets. Studies have shown it to remove 99% more plaque than the normal floss. Concerns with this product are that it seems to be very similar to the waterpik. Although Phillips is stating that water irrigators mainly uses large bursts of water to remove debris the airfloss uses air and only one teaspoon of water. In my opinion I think these devices are good for patients that have extensive work in their mouth such as bridges, crowns and implants. Flossing under restorative work can be difficult. The concern I have is that they are costly. The airfloss is retailing for $90 but when you take in to consideration how much a crown or bridge costs I think it is well worth it.
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20 comments:

  1. Brad CroninOctober 12, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    All of the topics that you listed are interesting and would make a good topic to research and discuss. My vote would be for you to work on the measles as it is a public health concern that lay people could benefit from hearing about. I would be interested to find out the type of pathogen that it is and whether the public needs to be concerned with patient to patient spread in a dentist office.
    --Brad

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  2. Chelsea BurnsOctober 12, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    EFT, because I think alternatives to pain management is very interesting.

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  3. cmyhra289October 13, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    The Airfloss technology should be used by all dentists. I just had a crown and total cleaning and my dentist was using this device. If you are stuck or tied, my second choice is the EFT issue, due to it has more applications than just dentistry.

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  4. Ashley BertaOctober 13, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    My vote is definitely for the EFT. I think the idea of acupressure is really interesting.

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  5. samantha15October 13, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    I would go for Airfloss. I think that is extremely interesting and would be a very good topic to do.

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  6. jesflowOctober 13, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    I say EET

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  7. Ian AdamsOctober 13, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    I think the Airfloss would be an interesting topic. I would think it would be very useful to a large amount of individuals.

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  8. LoriOctober 14, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    EFT sounds really interesting!

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  9. taulreOctober 14, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    My mother receives acupuncture treatments twice weekly for a bad back. The treatments have been very effective in reducing her pain. I think it would be really interesting to learn about the effectiveness of acupuncture in the dental field.

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  10. Brigitte BaglienOctober 14, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    I think Airfloss would be an interesting subject to write about- including the history of it.

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  11. Lisa Nelsen's BlogOctober 14, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    I think you should go with the airfloss device. That sounds like a really cool alternative to traditional flossing. I was always told to floss the teeth I want to keep. Cheesy but I have to say I think of that all the time. This would be a great way to floss without the pull and tug of traditional methods.

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  12. T. WrightOctober 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Since I am an avid flosser I must go with the Air Floss. I would love something like this!

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  13. R. WermuthOctober 14, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    My vote is for air floss. I recently started using something similar to this, and I love it (even though it can be quite loud)!

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  14. Jon FreemanOctober 14, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    I think airfloss is a great topic especially sense it is new technology and sounds pretty awesome!

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  15. MandyOctober 14, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Airfloss sounds neat. I think it would be fun to read more about.

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  16. skhensonOctober 14, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    The EFT sounds quite interesting. I'd like to know more about it.

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  17. PrussianPrincessOctober 14, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    I'd like to hear more about the Measles outbreak. It makes me want to check if we've all been vaccinated.

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  18. Bridgette CampbellOctober 14, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    I like the measles topic.

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  19. JenniferOctober 14, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    I would go with EFT

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  20. Dou HongOctober 14, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Measles! I think the first and third ones are interesting, but I thing you would have more to work with with the measles one.

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