ORAL HEALTH IN BC

Oral health is a key indicator of overall health, well-being and quality of life. It encompasses a range of diseases and conditions that include dental caries, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss, oral cancer, oro-dental trauma, noma and birth defects such as cleft lip and palate. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 estimated that oral diseases affect close to 3.5 billion people worldwide. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, cancers of the lip and oral cavity are among the top 20 most common cancers worldwide, with nearly 180,000 deaths each year.

Most oral diseases and conditions share modifiable risk factors with the leading noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes). These risk factors include tobacco use, alcohol consumption and unhealthy diets high in free sugars, all of which are increasing at the global level. There is a proven relationship between oral and general health. It is reported, for example, that diabetes is linked with the development and progression of periodontitis. Moreover, there is a causal link between high consumption of sugars and diabetes, obesity and dental caries.

All oral health practitioners work as members of multidisciplinary health teams in clinics, residential care facilities, hospital settings, public health units and community care centres. Client care is coordinated in conjunction with other health care providers such as dentists, dietitians, speech-language therapists, physiotherapists, nurses and social workers. All oral health providers should be focused on maintaining your teeth in good health for as long as possible, knowing that good oral health is indicative of overall health

Licensed Dental Hygienists

A licensed dental hygienist is a regulated oral health professional who works in a variety of settings, including private practice, public health, hospitals, long-term care facilities, educational institutions, research, sales, and independent practice settings.

Dental hygienists provide a range of personalized oral health care services, which may include screening for oral cancer, administering local anesthetics, reviewing medical and dental histories, taking and reviewing radiographs, removing soft and hard deposits, applying preventive and therapeutic agents such as Silver Diamine Fluoride, fitting mouthguards, providing periodontal therapies, oral health education, and much more.

Under BC’s current regulatory framework, all dental hygienists are part of a single licence class, which permits any licensed dental hygienist to own and operate an independent dental hygiene practice in accordance with applicable regulatory and business requirements. Independent dental hygiene practices may include storefront clinics, mobile services, community-based care, and outreach to remote or underserved populations, helping clients receive care from the most appropriate oral health professional when and where they need it.

Talk to your dental hygienist about the many ways they can support your oral and overall health.