Latest news with #dentalhygiene
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Lincolnshire dental school to train hygienists and nurses
A training centre in Lincolnshire offering courses in dental hygiene and therapy will open in University of Lincoln has been granted funding of £1.5m to establish the facility. Vice chancellor Prof Neal Juster said it was "a first step towards training dentists themselves".The funding has been approved by the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA), with Mayor Andrea Jenkyns saying the award was "great news for residents". Prof Juster said the county was "known as a dental desert" and he hoped to get to a full dental school training dentists one it opens in September 2026 the new Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health will be part of the University's Medical will accept around 30 students in its first year and will teach a new BSc in Dental Hygiene and Therapy alongside a foundation course designed to help dental nurses and other healthcare professionals retrain and upskill. The funding has come from the government's Shared Prosperity Fund which was handed to the GLCCA to for the first time since last month's local elections and chaired by Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns, it voted unanimously to award the Andrea said she recommended the funding was approved and was "really pleased to get this project off the ground".At the same meeting councillor Ingrid Sheard was voted in as deputy greater Lincolnshire is an elected Lincolnshire County Council member for Spalding Elloe for the Reform UK party. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
CTV News
02-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Getting kids excited about dental health
Kitchener Watch Dentist Mandeep Johal stops by with some dental hygiene hacks to help kids through the summer months.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas A&M College of Dentistry grad to make history this weekend
The Brief At 58, Cristina Flores will become the oldest graduate with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene from Texas A&M College of Dentistry this Sunday. Flores, continuing a family tradition in dentistry, moved from Laredo to achieve her degree, becoming the third in her family to graduate from the A&M system. She hopes her story inspires others, stressing that age shouldn't limit one's goals. DALLAS - History will be made on Sunday when Cristina Flores, 58, becomes the oldest graduate with a Bachelor of Science dental hygiene degree from Texas A&M College of Dentistry. The backstory Flores applied to the Texas A&M College of Dentistry five years ago. The 58-year-old left her native Laredo to move to North Texas and attend the school. The work runs in the family. Her father was a dentist for 60 years. Her two brothers and sister are dentists or oral surgeons. She is also the third in her family to graduate from the Texas A&M University system. She has two sons, now attorneys, who both graduated from the school. Flores' daughter attended her mother's pinning ceremony, even pinning her Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene pin. Her children were with her as she got her Aggie ring. A symbol of what she has accomplished. What they're saying "I knew I wanted to come here even though it was further away from home. I knew I wanted to come here. I wanted to be an Aggie also," Flores said. "It was a challenge learning how to study again, and I found out I loved school. I didn't remember how much I liked school, but it was a challenge sitting down and studying." Flores first started college in 1987, but did not get to finish. "I knew I wanted to finish it. It was always in the back of my mind. I knew I was eventually going to go back," she said. "It turned out to be a great choice." Flores hopes her story is a sign to others of what they can accomplish. "There's no deadline on goals. You can definitely do it at whatever age at 55. At 53, I didn't know I was going to be here and look at me now. When I started I remember saying, 'I'm going to be 58 by the time I graduate, and it's here. It's already here, so no, there's no deadline to what you can do," she said. The Source Information in this article comes from an interview between FOX 4's Shaun Rabb and Cristina Flores.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What Dental Hygienists Can Tell About You Just By Looking In Your Mouth
You likely think about cavities and gum health when you go to a dental appointment, but the professionals who look inside your mouth can detect a lot more than that. 'You can tell a lot about someone's health and habits just by looking inside their mouth,' registered dental hygienist Tajah Ferjuste told HuffPost. 'The mouth really is a window to overall health. As hygienists, we're trained to recognize signs that point to deeper issues.' The mouth is also considered the 'gateway' to the body, as it may be the source of problems in many different systems. The link between oral wellness and overall wellness extends to heart health, endocrine health, digestion, fertility and more. 'The bacteria in your mouth don't stay in your mouth ― they're connected to your whole body,' said registered dental hygienist and coach Amber Auger. 'Small changes in oral care can have ripple effects on your total health.' So what exactly can a dental hygienist infer about you from the state of your mouth? We asked some professionals to share what they've noticed. 'By examining someone's mouth, I can often tell if they are dehydrated, indicated by a lack of saliva or a dry mouth,' said Martelle Coke, a registered dental hygienist and founder of the All Smiles Matter campaign. 'While dry mouth can also be caused by allergies or certain medications, the oral cavity truly can be a window into a person's overall health.' Dehydration can be an indication of autoimmune diseases and other issues as well. 'Dry mouth can indicate medication side effects or certain health conditions, and it often leads to increased cavity risk,' noted Allison Cuevas, founder of The Bright Bite Dental Hygiene Services. 'By looking at someone's teeth, you can tell if they don't floss just by examining your gums,' said Brittany Glauz, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice. 'Common signs include bleeding during cleaning, especially in between teeth, which suggests plaque and bacteria have accumulated due to a lack of flossing.' She noted that red, swollen or inflamed gums are also strong indicators of gingivitis stemming from poor interdental cleaning. 'Tartar buildup between the teeth and below the gumline is a clear sign that those areas haven't been regularly cleaned,' Glauz said. 'Bad breath and cavities forming between the teeth can further point to inconsistent or absent flossing habits.' In the same vein, dental hygienists can tell if you're someone who does floss regularly, as they won't show those signs. 'On the other hand, healthy gums are pink and firm, which often reflects good daily hygiene,' Ferjuste said. 'Shortened or flattened front teeth, chips or wear marks usually mean the person grinds their teeth ― especially at night,' said registered dental hygienist Whitney DiFoggio. 'It's a common sign that they might benefit from a night guard and finding out the cause of their habit.' Grinding your teeth overnight can do long-term damage, so it's helpful to identify and address the issue as early as possible. Dental hygienists notice worn teeth, microfractures and more. 'I can see stress in their jaw, whether they clench or grind, thanks to wear facets, chipped teeth or enlarged jaw muscles,' Auger said. 'As a dental hygienist, there are several signs in the mouth that may indicate sleep-disordered breathing, such as sleep apnea,' Glauz said. 'These include a scalloped tongue, enlarged tonsils or uvula, a high, narrow palate, frequent mouth breathing or snoring and signs of tooth grinding, [aka] bruxism.' If there's excessive wear on particular surfaces or areas of the teeth, that can reflect certain sleep patterns or issues. 'While a diagnosis must come from a medical provider, these oral indicators can be important clues that prompt further evaluation and help connect patients to the care they need,' Glauz said. 'Tobacco use, whether it's smoking or vaping, shows up in the mouth too,' Ferjuste said. 'Staining, gum recession and a higher risk for oral cancer are all red flags we look for.' Additionally, drug use can have a noticeable impact on the teeth and mouth. Certain drugs, for instance, can cause dry mouth or become very acidic in the mouth, thus eroding tooth enamel. 'Patients that have acidic reflux or suffer from bulimia often have signs of erosion,' said Kari Carter-Cherelus, a registered dental hygienist. 'Basically, the acid eats the enamel off of the back of their teeth, exposing softer layers of tooth structure.' Thin enamel can indicate chronic vomiting, acid reflux or frequent consumption of particularly acidic foods and drinks. 'The back surfaces of the upper front teeth is where stomach acid tends to make contact,' Glauz said. 'This can lead to teeth that appear smooth, shiny or thinner than normal. Patients may also experience increased tooth sensitivity as the protective enamel layer wears down.' People who primarily breathe through their mouths, rather than their noses, are at an increased risk for cavities and gum disease. There are other signs that dental hygienists can see. 'I can tell if someone's a mouth breather by the dry tissues, red, inflamed gums along the upper front teeth, or high plaque accumulation,' Auger said. 'The mouth is a window to the body.' 'Dietary habits leave clues ― think sticky plaque from frequent snacking, or stain patterns from coffee or tea,' Auger said. As previously noted, the state of someone's enamel can also indicate frequent consumption of particularly acidic foods and drinks, like citrus and soda. 'Certain decay patterns might suggest high sugar consumption or frequent snacking,' said registered dental hygienist and health content creator Jasmine Williams. 'Staining patterns tell me about coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco use.' 'It's easy to tell if someone isn't brushing, flossing and tongue scraping regularly ― especially based on plaque levels, gum health, and even how fresh their breath is,' DiFoggio said. 'There's usually a distinctive odor from the bacteria.' Insufficient or inconsistent oral hygiene habits can lead to gingivitis or more advanced gum disease. 'When you look at someone and see signs like heavy plaque buildup, swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath or visible decay, it's usually a sign that their oral ― and perhaps overall ― health isn't being prioritized,' said Emily R., a dental hygienist at Beverly Hills Dental Arts. 'Taking a few minutes each day to care for your teeth isn't just about a nice smile; it's a vital part of maintaining your overall wellbeing.' Dental professionals can recognize the various ways someone's teeth might've been altered over time. 'I can typically identify different dental work someone's had ― whether it's fillings, crowns, implants or orthodontic treatment,' said registered dental hygienist Iman Zayed. 'The quality and age of these restorations tell a story about their dental history.' 'Oral health often reflects systemic health,' Ferjuste said. 'For instance, frequent cavities may point to undiagnosed diabetes.' Underlying stress and inflammation can also come across in the mouth. 'I can get insight into someone's overall inflammation status from the condition of their gums,' Auger said. 'Uncontrolled periodontal inflammation isn't just a gum problem ― it's often tied to systemic health conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease or autoimmune disorders.' Looking beyond the gums, Zayed noted that the condition of the tongue is another potential health indicator. 'Changes in color, texture, or appearance can signal vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune conditions or even early signs of oral cancer,' she said. 'For example, geographic tongue (harmless but distinctive patches), oral thrush (fungal infection) or leukoplakia (white patches that could be precancerous).' 12 Things Dental Hygienists Would Never, Ever Do To Their Teeth The 6 Worst Foods And Drinks For Your Teeth, According To Dentists 6 Signs You're Grinding Your Teeth At Night (And What To Do About It)
