Recently, a study was conducted among dentists and hygienists to determine whether there is a link between esthetic oral treatments and better overall oral health. The survey overwhelmingly demonstrated that dentists and dental hygienists believe there is a link. Kristy Menage Bernie, RDH, BS, president of the California Dental Hygienists' Association and leading educator in the field of oral hygiene, is available at this year's American Dental Association (ADA) Annual Session for discussion on this ground-breaking information. The 143rd ADA Annual Session will take place from Oct. 19-21 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
Of those surveyed, 80 percent believe that patients who have undergone aesthetic dental services have better overall health than those who have not. Survey participants based their responses on how many people who have undergone aesthetic dental services return for regular office visits, versus those who have not, which tends to lead to better oral health. Of those surveyed, more than two-thirds reported that at least 70 percent of patients who undergo aesthetic dental services return for regular dental hygiene visits. By simply returning for regular visits, the patients are helping to ensure their oral health.
Kristy Menage Bernie is available at the ADA Annual Session to discuss:
-- The link between oral aesthetics and oral health and what it means for dentists and consumers
-- How regular dental visits enable a dentist/hygienist to diagnose and prevent oral health problems such as periodontal (gum) disease
-- How there is an average increase of regular dental visits following an aesthetic treatment
-- How new dental aesthetic treatments, such as tooth whitening, are encouraging people to visit their dentist more frequently
The survey was sponsored by Discus Dental, the world's leader in the professional tooth whitening category, and distributed at national educational seminars, at which Kristy Menage Bernie was lecturing. Over 200 responses were received from surveys distributed at the seminars, in locations including Santa Barbara, Calif.; Sacramento, Calif.; Overland Park, Kans.; Mosinee, Wisc; and Wasau, Wisc.
The survey was in response to a recent Journal of American Dental Association (JADA) report, which linked oral health to heart health. The report stated that several studies are currently underway to determine whether poor oral health contributes in any way to various heart conditions, such as atherosclerotic vascular disease, cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.
Kristy Menage Bernie and Discus Dental are available for comment during the show at Discus Dental's booth, number 1818.
