Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Dental Hygienists Regarding Diabetes Risk Assessments and Screenings.

Untreated and poorly controlled diabetes causes increased levels of blood glucose associated with poor periodontal disease outcomes. Dental hygienists can play a significant role in screening patients for diabetes mellitus, leading to referral and early diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers faced by clinical dental hygienists regarding diabetes risk assessment and screenings.

Ultrasonic Instrumentation Instruction in Dental Hygiene Programs in the United States.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of ultrasonic scaling instrumentation instruction in dental hygiene programs in the U.S. Currently, there is no publication available defining a consensus of instruction for ultrasonic instrumentation.

Promoting oral health as part of an interprofessional community-based women's health event.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and studies have shown connections between cardiovascular and oral health. However, interprofessional community-based participatory initiatives promoting women's oral health have received little research attention. This study evaluated the effectiveness of personalized oral health education (POHE) during a free one-day interprofessional women's health promotion event.

Concentration levels of fluoride in bottled drinking water.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to classify brands of bottled water by manufacturer assigned labeling to verify the concentration of fluoride for those brands that claim to contain fluoride, and to determine the existence and concentration of fluoride for those brands that do not cite fluoride or list it as undetermined on the product label.

Methods: A convenience sample of bottled drinking waters (N = 65) sold throughout the state of West Virginia was obtained for this study. Among the 65 brands, six different types of water were identified based on common wording displayed on the package.

Oral health and older adults.

The population of individuals aged 65 and older is growing dramatically and is expected to increase 126% by 2011, compared to only a 42% rise in the population of the United States as a whole. The fastest growing segment of the older adult population is persons aged 85 and older (Figure 1). Although many members of this generation lead healthy independent lives, the challenge faced by oral health care professionals is providing care to the chronically ill and/or homebound or institutionalized older adult, particularly the oldest old and those with limited finances.