The Great Dental Hoax: Why Twice A Year Cleanings Mean Nothing!
Did you know that the good old brush twice a day and see your dentist at least twice a year was originally an ad campaign for Pepsodent in 1929? Beginning in 1929 and continuing until 1937, "Amos 'n' Andy" announcer Bill Hay would conclude each of his commercials with that slogan, and the idea of appointments every six months was embraced by the dental profession as a standard from then on. Some insurance companies even use that interval to define their standards for payment.
But the fact is that phrase was developed with no scientific basis at all – it was to sell toothpaste!In all honestly I’m baffled by dentistry as a whole. Well, baffled may not be the correct term, maybe frustrated, fed up and ready to check out would be the more realistic terms that I could use.
A few years ago instead of giving up and putting down my instruments, I decided that I was ready to make a change, and make a difference in the world of oral health. My name is Carrie and I am a Dental Hygienist turned Oral Health Coach (this is my version of a 12 step program).Please don’t hate me for what I do, don’t run away in shame, cover your mouth in embarrassment or tell me all the things you loathe about visiting the dentist. Well, tell me those things if you must, but if you share your feelings about the dental office, understand that I too feel the same way.
I have learned to love the art of oral health and communication, but I have learned to cringe and distrust the way that patients are in my opinion held hostage by being told that brushing twice a day, flossing daily and having your teeth cleaned is the answer to oral health.
A Unique Perspective on Dentistry
You may be thinking “whoa, this chick is crazy and on a rampage”, but here’s why my perspective differs a bit. In the nearly 20 yrs I have spent in dental offices, nearly half of those years has been spent filling in as a substitute (temp) hygienist, assistant or front office staff. There have been years that I have remained in a single office which has allowed me to track the progress of patients and establish wonderful relationships, and there have been years that I have worked both in an office permanently and temped as well.
I’ve even had the opportunity to work in multiple states, and visit offices in different countries. I had no idea that my years of wanderlust and itchy feet would set me up for where I am now.Why do I temp? I temp because it gives me a totally different perspective than working in an office for a long period of time. I have the unique ability to see the health (or lack thereof) of the patients that are seen in a practice outside of my own. I have the opportunity to see what products different offices recommend and dispense to patients.
I get to see how good the dentistry is or isn’t, what materials are used, and I get paid to do “research”. I get a quick snapshot of what life in another office is like, and how each office treats not only the patients they see, but the employees as well. There is no way on earth that a typical person would be able to walk into an office and look into the mouths and lives of the patients that come in and out of it. In all honesty, it’s quite fascinating!I didn’t start temping with the thought of gaining insight and information, but through the years I have realized that it has been an amazing experience that became the foundation of my beliefs, recommendations and even frustrations.I have worked with the best, the worst and the mediocre. I have worked in offices that have every tool available, and ones that don’t even offer patients a toothbrush when they come in for their “cleanings”. I have worked in offices that see new patients for a quick exam and lure them into thinking they need “deep cleanings” within the first 10 minutes, and ones that have had the same hygienist for 20 yrs where most patients have moderate to severe periodontal disease even though they come in regularly for appointments.
These are the ones that frustrate me the most.Unfortunately, I have seen firsthand multiple cases where people had blind faithfully visited their oral health care provider (which they always LOVED by the way), only to find that their mouth is riddled with either decay or gum disease….yet they knew all about each other’s personal lives and shared photos, vacation stories and recipes. I am not saying that relationships are not important, but if you are effective with your time, you can have great relationships and help keep patients healthy! Thankfully, I have been also been in offices where each patient sees the inside of their mouth and is aware of their condition and has their needs met the way they see fit. Yes, I have learned that not every patient wants to be as healthy as possible, and that too is okay with me.
Fighting an Uphill Battle
Great Dental Hoax
Do you know how it feels to sit knee to knee with someone and try to find the words in letting them know that they have severe disease that needs expensive treatment, or worse that it is too late and they may lose their teeth, even though they have visited their dentist regularly? I do, and unfortunately I have had to do it more than once. I know there are many good dentists and amazing hygienists out there, but I also know that we as a profession carry the burden of our patients’ disease for them and stop them from owning their own health. We are trained to treat and teach, not to listen and guide…..this is what I have learned, and this is the foundation of the difference that I make. How many times has your dentist said “oh Mrs. Jones, you don’t need that right now” or “let’s just watch it”? Instead, how about this? How about showing them a healthy situation in their mouth and then showing them a not so healthy situation and let them be involved in the decision making process. You may find that patients WANT to make the effort, have the tooth fixed, or detailed cleanings. If nothing else, you may find that they want to own up to the disease and figure out how to treat it and avoid it from happening again. I promise you, you will be amazed at how many patients show up in regards to their health if you give them the information and freedom to do what feels good and right.
The Miracle of Gadgets
I also know that just because you are cleaning your mouth every day with the latest and greatest technological advancements in toothbrushes and toothpastes like Sonicare and Colgate Total or Crest Pro Health doesn’t mean that you are any closer to oral health than if you were using a twig, some yarn and water to clean your mouth. Oral health doesn’t come from great products; it comes from finding balance in the products that you use and the technique in which you use it. I am amazed at how many people proudly let me know what brand of electric toothbrush they use, but in all honesty they have no idea how to use it. This is where temping has been most insightful because I see people for a single visit vs. being the one who they see on a regular basis.
When Will We See the Big Picture
Products like the HydroFloss oral irrigator or the Revolation electric toothbrush or Tooth and Gums Tonic are amazing, but the amazing part comes when you know why you are using said products and how they need to adapt to in order to reach the area that needs to be cleaned. The whole purpose behind my website is because I care enough to put myself out there and say what we as a profession are doing with people is not working! If it were, we would have a handle on periodontal disease and decay. U.S. Public Health Service reports that 98 out of every 100 men, women, and children in the United States suffer from some form of dental disease, and the American Dental Association figures indicate that the average American has 14 teeth decayed, filled, or missing by the time he or she reaches 20 years of age.Sometimes I feel so alone in the dental world.
When I am out there sledging through the clinical mess and talking with fellow dental professionals I see the glaze of confusion or lack of interest when I talk about products, techniques or communication style. I wonder if there are other people out there who care to make a difference and put down the tools they use and pick up the tools that patients use and teach them how to use them.I can’t tell you how many times a patient says “no one has ever actually brushed my teeth for me” or, “no one has ever shown me how to do that vs. just telling me that I need to”. And once in awhile I have a dentist tell me, “wow you are amazing at what you do; I wish all hygienists did what you did”. This makes me happy and sad all at once. Please fellow practitioners, tell me I’m not alone. Tell me that you engage your patients in both the health and disease of their mouth. Tell me I’m crazy and out of line, but please….tell me something!
A Renegade on the Front Lines
Until then I will continue with Oral Health Coaching. I will continue to make a difference in the communities I serve. For the non clinical world that may be reading this, I am here for you, and together we can make an amazing difference in the HEALTH of your mouth, all it takes is a phone call and or an online session.
I know it sounds too good to be true, but here is the honest reality. A healthy mouth isn’t rocket science, but what it is, is technique sensitive. It just takes a little time to master the technique and find the right products that work for you as an individual.This was a long needed emotional rant. Thank you for taking the time to read it, I hope it elicits a response for patients and practitioners’ alike.
If I can dish it out, than I should be able to take it. :)
All The Best,Carrie
