Inside Scoop By Trisha E. O’Hehir, RDH, BS, Editorial Director, Hygienetown Magazine

Educators, researchers, clinicians, company representatives and some of us from Hygienetown attended the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) Annual Symposium in Tucson last month. The global OSAP promotes evidence-based dental infection control, occupational safety and health. OSAP helps clinicians close the gap between policy and practice by providing education through publications that answer infection control as well as safety questions.

The four-day conference covered a wide variety of topics from the efforts of the World Health Organization to the implementation of infection control in the dental office. On the program of 21 speakers, four hygienists presented programs: Helene Bednarsh, Kathy Eklund, Sherin Tooks and Jean Wolff. Entertainment and laughs were provided by Cynthia Chillock and Sharen Leigh, both hygienists; plus Barb Lamb, a former assistant, as the Salivary Singers (www.salivarysingers.com) – poking fun at dental hygiene and infection control. A big hit was “Sea of Blood” sung to the music of “Sea of Love.” Another favorite was “Leader of the Plaque” sung to the music of “Leader of the Pack.”

The meeting was well attended by dental professionals and supported by many exhibitors. Next year’s meeting will be in Charlotte, NC in June. OSAP is a valuable resource for infection control and safety information. For more information, visit OSAP’s Web site at www.osap.org.

Power scalers come in many sizes, shapes and functions; but, which is the best? So far, there is no research leading us in any one direction. Until we have scientific evidence that one is superior to the others, it’s up to you – the clinician – to decide which you prefer. In the “Still not using the Cavitron” discussion from the message boards of Hygienetown.com, hygienists voice their opinions. Which is your power scaler of choice?

In Utopia, every dental office has a perfect perio program. Unfortunately, that’s not reality. How many of us, including yours truly, have started working in an office only to find the patients are in need of periodontal therapy. Jo, a member of Hygienetown.com, asks for assistance and experienced clinicians who have faced this dilemma before offer advice and suggestions.

The frustrations hygienists face in providing effective periodontal care prompted me to focus this month’s Profile in Oral Health on how to get a perio program started in your office. The first step is the hardest, but will get the entire process rolling. Nothing happens without action. What step is needed in your office to get things moving in the right direction?

Support your treatment decisions, such as your periodontal program, with research summaries from Perio Reports. Research summaries provide evidence to support your treatment decisions and also get you to ask questions; for instance: Why aren’t all chlorhexidine rinses alike? Will a similar ibuprofen product result in the same degree of pain control?

If you have questions that aren’t answered by the research, or you just don’t have time to do the research, join the discussions on www.hygienetown.com, ask your questions plus share your experiences and advice. Registering online is quick and easy. I use my name, but if you prefer to be anonymous, simply pick a username that lets you say what you want without fear of coworkers or employers knowing it’s you (on the right-hand navigation, you can choose how you’d like to be known under My Profile). If we can help you get started on the Web site, please give us a call: 480-445-9704.

See you on Hygienetown.com.