Category: Dentistry

Following a thorough study, researchers have found that water fluoridation is the most environmentally friendly approach to preventive dental care. There are a range of measures that are recommended to combat tooth decay, with water fluoridation commonly used. In an age where all industries are aiming to improve their environmental footprint, these results affirm the usefulness of water fluoridation.

Across all industries, there is a big focus on sustainability and the environmental impact that industry output has. Healthcare is no exception. In dentistry, efforts are being made to improve the environmental footprint.

Therefore, researchers have been searching for ways to improve processes in dentistry, in order to aid the effort against the climate change crisis.

As part of this overall goal, a recent study looked at various preventive measures against tooth decay in dentistry, with the aim of finding which method was the most environmentally friendly. The research produced interesting results.

Background

Tooth decay affects a huge number of people. Tooth decay impacts the healthcare industry due to a very high demand for treatment. But fortunately, there are many preventive measures – including fluoride toothpaste and a fluoride varnish.

However, water fluoridation is another preventive measure that is used in some countries. In fact, water fluoridation is widely regarded as one of the most effective healthcare interventions of the 20th Century [1].

Water fluoridation involves a small concentration of fluoride being added to the public water supply. Fluoride is a crucial ingredient for teeth, and helps to strengthen them. Studies have consistently linked water fluoridation to strong reductions in cavities [2].

Approximately 35% of the world’s population has access to fluoridated water [3]. But it has proven to be a controversial subject. Many countries have outright banned its use, while many others are unable to provide easy access to fluoridated water.

The Research

The research was a collaboration between Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and the University College London, United Kingdom [4]. Subsequently, their work was published in the British Dental Journal [4].

The researchers looked to quantify the environmental impact that water fluoridation of the public water supply has for a 5-year-old child over a one-year period [4]. In the United Kingdom – where the study took place – water fluoridation is rather common.

They intended to compare this to the environmental impact of more traditional approaches like fluoride varnishes and regular toothbrushing programs [4]. This would allow them to see which preventive approach is the best environmentally.

In order to quantify the impact of the three approaches, the research team conducted a “Life Cycle Assessment” [4]. To do so, the researchers carefully measured the combined travel, weight and amounts of all products and processes involved in the three preventive programs mentioned above [4].

Then, the researchers inputted their data into a specialized computer program called OpenLCA [4]. Therefore, this provided the researchers with information, figures and statistics pertaining to environmental outputs of each of the preventive measures.

The results showed that water fluoridation had the lowest environmental impact of all three measures [4]. This was the key finding of the research, and shows that water fluoridation has a strong environmental impact when compared to other methods.

Moreover, the researchers also found that water fluoridation had the best return of investment, which is important for councils and governments to weigh up when deciding on legislation relating to water fluoridation [4]. Therefore, such results are useful.

The researchers concluded that after balancing out clinical effectiveness, environmental sustainability and cost implications – that water fluoridation should be the preventive measure of choice [4].

What this means

This research has showed the potential impact that water fluoridation can have. Not only is it highly effective, but it also has a strong environmental impact as well.

With the world in the midst of a so-called “climate crisis”, such findings could be very important. Water fluoridation seems to present a cost-effective and efficient way for governments to lower their environmental footprint, whilst lessening tooth decay.

But sadly, water fluoridation continues to be a controversial topic. This has resulted in many nations avoiding its use. Yet research results like the above could result in a change of opinion.

This research though does show the benefits of water fluoridation. At the very least, for those who do have access to fluoridated water, they have added protection against tooth decay.

Thinking points…

1) This study is a useful reminder of the benefits that fluoride can bring. Not everyone is in an area where the public water supply is fluoridated. If you don’t have access, remember that it is important to always use a fluoride toothpaste. It is also important to attend regular dental check-ups, as this will provide your dentist with a chance to examine your mouth, and suggest treatment if necessary. Why not book an appointment now?

2) If you do have access to fluoridated water, it is important to not get complacent. Just because you have fluoridated water, this doesn’t replace the need for strong oral hygiene, regular cleaning and flossing, and attending dental appointments. If you haven’t seen your dentist for a while, it is especially important to book a check-up, as any problems can be detected. Importantly, continue to practice excellent oral hygiene!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving oral health.

It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is important.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Murthy, V. H. (2015). Community Water Fluoridation: One of CDC’s “10 Great Public Health Achievements of the 20th Century”. Public Health Reports. 130 (4): p296-298. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F003335491513000402.

[2] Slade, G. D., Grider, W. B., Maas, W. R., & Sanders, A. E. (2018). Water Fluoridation and Dental Caries in U.S. Children and Adolescents. Journal of Dental Research. 97 (10): p1122-1128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0022034518774331.

[3] Iheozor-Ejiofor, Z., Worthington, H. V., Walsh T., O’Malley, L., Clarkson, J. E., Macey, R., Alam, R., Tugwell, P., Welch, V., & Glenny, A-M. (2015). Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 18 (6): CD010856. DOI: https:/www.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010856.pub2.

[4] Duane, B., Lyne, A., & Ashley, P. (2022). The environmental impact of community caries prevention – part 3: water fluoridation. British Dental Journal. 233: p303-307. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-4251-5.

A recent comprehensive report has shown that dental insurance provides consumers with peace of mind, relief, and cost savings. The report provided an overview of the oral health of Americans. Furthermore, dental insurance was particularly useful during Covid-19. The report also suggests that more people intend to get dental insurance for their children in the next year.

A comprehensive report into the current state of the oral health of Americans has showed that having dental insurance is a huge positive for consumers, and provides them with peace of mind and relief.

In fact, dental insurance also appears to provide emotional and financial benefits too. Therefore, it appears that there are plenty of benefits to having dental insurance.

The report was carried out by Delta Dental. Delta Dental is America’s largest dental insurance provider, with more than 85million Americans covered by them [1].

How does dental insurance work?

Dental insurance helps patients to pay for the professional care that is needed to treat their oral health. Many people find it to be a convenient and cost-effective way of ensuring that their oral health remains strong.

There are different types of insurance, with various plans and formats existing. Most plans provide patients with cover for regular examinations and treatments like cavity fillings.

The care may go further, depending on the type of plan a patient has. There are a range of different providers to choose from, including large and small companies.

When contemplating getting dental insurance, it is important to consider your budget, along with your oral health history. Moreover, if you have a family, you may be able to get your entire family insured.

Key Findings from the report

The report – called the 2022 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness report – was created by Delta Dental [2]. The research involved over 2,000 American adults and parents of children aged 12 and younger [1].

The participants were asked a range of questions. Many of these focused on dental insurance – which is an interesting topic, as far from everyone has insurance. For example, in the United States, approximately 25% of adults have no dental insurance [3].

However, the findings suggest that dental insurance has a very positive effect. 94% of respondents believe that dental insurance saves them money [1]. Furthermore, 91% of respondents believed that the cost of the plan was worthwhile [1].

Further to the above, cost is obviously an important consideration for many. In fact, in Canada, almost 25% of Canadian citizens avoided seeing a dental professional due to concerns over the cost in 2018 [4]. It appears that fears of insurance plan costs being high remains.

The report also suggested that having dental insurance over the Covid-19 pandemic was very useful. The rapid spread of Covid-19 resulted in routine dentistry being stopped. But when dentistry started again, those with dental insurance were in a positive position.

81% of adults and 88% of parents agreed that having dental insurance during Covid-19 provided them with peace of mind [1]. This is very good, given the struggles that everyone went through during the pandemic.

Interestingly, the research also found out that, partly due to the pandemic, that 69% of parents with a child not currently covered by dental insurance is hoping to get coverage for them in 2022 [1]. The findings definitely suggest that Covid-19 led many people to re-assess their oral health.

Summary

Overall, those with dental insurance typically had less stress, better peace of mind and benefitted financially from having coverage. The range of benefits associated with dental insurance may result in more people signing up.

James W. Hutchison is the President & CEO of Delta Dental [1]. He commented on the findings of the report [1]. Hutchison mentioned that his company are looking to extend their “person-centered care” [1].

His company also partners with “oral health professionals and the public” to continue the “development of enhanced dental plans focused on person-centered care” [1].

Hutchison concluded by saying that insurance plans are “based on a person’s health needs and provide the extra care to enrich overall health and quality of life” [1].

The findings certainly suggest that insurance helps many Americans, whether this be through the actual care, or the peace of mind it gives them.

To read the full report, please follow the link: https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/state-of-americas-oral-health-report.html [2].

Thinking points…

1) Cost is clearly an issue for many people when it comes to the dentist. However, here at Savanna Dental, our costs are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. Therefore, we offer transparent, competitive and reasonable costs for our patients. We recommend attending our dental clinic, where we can assist you with your oral health and provide a treatment plan if necessary. You can read more about us on our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

2) For those that are uninterested in dental insurance, it puts an important focus on strong oral health. Therefore, so that you can try to avoid dental problems, ensure you look after your mouth by having excellent oral hygiene, as this can help keep your oral health strong. Remember to attend check-ups, as this can help to identify any problems. We recommend booking an appointment now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving oral health.

It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is important.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Delta Dental Plans Association. (2022). 89% of U.S. adults agree having dental insurance provides peace of mind according to Delta Dental study. Available: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/89-of-us-adults-agree-having-dental-insurance-provides-peace-of-mind-according-to-delta-dental-study-301602993.html. Last accessed: 19th August 2022.

[2] Delta Dental. (2022). The 2022 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report. Available: https://www.deltadental.com/content/dam/ddpa/us/en/press-releases/DDPA_State%20of%20Oral%20Health%20Report_2022-Release.pdf. Last accessed: 19th August 2022.

[3] Colonial Insurance. (2018). The Surprising Truth About Dental Insurance. Available: https://www.coloniallife.com/employer-resource-center/2018/april/the-surprising-truth-about-dental-insurance. Last accessed: 19th August 2022.

[4] Statistics Canada. (2019). Health characteristics, annual estimates. Available: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310009601. Last accessed: 19th August 2022.

New research has showed the impact that Covid-19 had on dental professionals. While the focus of the media has mainly been on healthcare workers in hospitals, it shouldn’t be forgotten that dentists had an important role to play. The research has showed that many dental professionals struggled with symptoms of Anxiety and Depression during the pandemic. Fortunately, the Covid-19 vaccine appeared to improve their mental health.

Covid-19 has affected billions of people around the world. Many people lost loved ones, everyone had to change their daily lifestyle, and millions of jobs were lost. But for healthcare workers – they were suddenly launched without warning into tackling a pandemic.

Most of the focus of the media has been on the welfare and wellbeing of healthcare workers in hospitals. But very little focus has been placed on dental professionals – who also played an important part in healthcare throughout Covid-19.

However, new research has looked at how the mental health of dental professionals varied during a 12-month period of the pandemic. The findings showed that many dental professionals had symptoms of Depression and Anxiety [1].

Background

Covid-19 first appeared at the end of 2019, before spreading around the world in 2020. At the time of writing, there have been over 550million cumulative cases [2]. Tragically, there have been almost 6.4million deaths around the world [2].

Under the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO), routine dentistry was stopped in early 2020. But despite this, emergency dentistry continued, with those in severe oral pain still able to receive dental treatment.

Covid-19 is highly-contagious, and not everyone who carries it is aware they had the virus. Therefore, this meant it was highly likely that dental professionals would catch Covid-19, given the amount of human contact they had, and time spent in confined spaces.

This research involved looking at the symptoms of Depression and Anxiety. Symptoms of Depression include low mood, sadness, feeling hopeless, having no motivation and not getting any enjoyment out of life [3]. Meanwhile, the symptoms of Anxiety include restlessness, a sense of dread, feeling on edge, excessive worrying and physical symptoms like dizziness or shaking [4].

The Research

The mental health of most people suffered during Covid-19. This research looked at the mental health of dental professionals. Moreover, it specifically looked at whether or not the participants showed symptoms of Depression and/or Anxiety [1].

The research study was published in the August issues of The Journal of the American Dental Association and The Journal of Dental Hygiene [1]. The study itself was administered by researchers from the American Dental Association (ADA) [1].

The research involved 8,902 dental healthcare workers [1]. They all took part in monthly, anonymous web-based surveys, where they would log their feelings in relation to whether or not they were exhibiting signs of the symptoms of Depression and/or Anxiety [1].

The surveys took place over a 12-month period between June 2020 and June 2021 [1]. This time period was when Covid-19 was rampaging across the world, with healthcare services stretched to their capacity.

The results showed that dental professionals were affected by Covid-19 [1]. 17.7% of dental healthcare workers reported symptoms of Anxiety, while 10.7% reported symptoms of Depression [1].

The researchers found that the symptoms of Depression peaked in December 2020 [1]. The number of people with symptoms of anxiety also had high numbers in the final few months of 2020 [1].

Interestingly, the Covid-19 vaccine lessened the number of dental professionals with symptoms [1]. Healthcare workers were among the first to be offered the vaccine. However, unvaccinated dental workers who intended to be vaccinated – but had not yet received their vaccine – had noticeable anxiety, with a high mark of 20.6% of this group [1].

By the end of the study – at a time when the number of Covid-19 cases were dropping – 12.1% of dental professionals were still showing symptoms [1]. Hopefully, these numbers have lowered further in the year since the final survey.

What the research shows

Dealing with Covid-19 was clearly a significant challenge. While the threat is not yet over, case numbers have dropped significantly. The statistics above show that dental professionals faced many challenges too.

Stacey Derschewitz – Professor of Clinical Psychology at the George Washington University – commented on the findings. She said that “as the pandemic continues, it is critically important that dental health care workers continue to develop their ability to recognize and address signs and symptoms of mental health conditions within themselves and their colleagues, promote healthy work environments, reduce the impact of stress on the profession, and make supports accessible to those who are struggling emotionally” [5].

Dental professionals need to look out for one another, and take time out when they are struggling mentally. Open communication is important, and can hopefully provide dental professionals with the tools they need for improved mental health.

Thinking points…

1) While many people had their dental care interrupted during Covid-19, routine dentistry has recommenced, and it is therefore a good time to attend a dental clinic. We recommend attending a check-up, especially as some problems may have developed while routine dentistry was halted. Consider booking an appointment now!

2) Covid-19 impacted the mental health of many people. Remember to check-in with your friends and family, especially those who may be particularly struggling. Moreover, remember too that when seeing your dentist – that they will have been through a lot, and to respect them throughout your visit.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that offer many services, including regular check-ups, cavity fillings and root canals.

We are also pleased to offer some cosmetic services. Here at our Calgary dental clinic, we offer treatments like tooth whitening, Invisalign™ and dental implants.

It is important for oral problems to be addressed early. Any issues can be identified at check-ups. If further treatment is needed after a check-up, our patients receive a clear treatment plan that is suited to their needs. Early detection helps to prevent the problem getting worse.

The best way of avoiding extra treatment is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink and not smoking also helps.

Our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.

We would love you to visit us here at Savanna Dental soon! You can see more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Eldridge, L. A., Estrich, C. G., Guerenlian, J. R., Battrell, A., Lynch, A., Vujicic, M., Morrisey, R., Derschewitz, S., Geisinger, M. L., & Araujo, M. W. B. (2022). US dental health care workers’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 153 (8): p740-749. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2022.02.011.

[2] World Health Organization. (2022). WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. Available: https://covid19.who.int/. Last accessed: 29th July 2022.

[3] NHS. (2019). Symptoms – Clinical depression. Available https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/clinical-depression/symptoms/. Last accessed: 29th July 2022.

[4] NHS. (2018). Symptoms – Generalised anxiety disorder in adults. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/symptoms/. Last accessed: 29th July 2022.

[5] American Dental Association. (2022). Dentists and Dental Hygienists on Early Front Lines of COVID-19 Report Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression. Available: https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/dentists-and-dental-hygienists-on-early-front-lines-of-covid-19-report-symptoms-of-anxiety. Last accessed: 29th July 2022.