Canadian Dental Hygienists Association Position Statements
Preterm low birth weight babies
In light of the possible association between periodontal disease and preterm low birth weight (PT/LBW) babies, women
who are considering pregnancy or who are pregnant should have access to oral health services (including oral health
promotion, disease prevention, and treatment), regardless of their income. In addition, dental hygienists should consider
incorporating the following strategies into their practices:
• Educate pregnant women and those planning pregnancy regarding the possible impact of periodontal infection
on pregnancy outcomes and benefits of treatment.
• Consider periodontal examinations and as-needed periodontal therapy as a necessary part of prenatal care for all
women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
• Provide preventive oral care as early in pregnancy as possible, and throughout the pregnancy.
• Consider consultation with the clients’ health care professionals to advise them of the diagnosis and treatment
considerations.
• Increase interprofessional collaboration and communication between dental hygienists and public health prenatal
programs in order to formalize support for pregnant women. These new opportunities can focus on oral/general
health assessments, leadership capacity, policy development, surveillance, program delivery and evaluation.
Respiratory disease
In light of the clear association between periodontal disease and pneumonia in health-compromised seniors in intensive
and long-term care, high-risk seniors should have access to oral health services (including oral health promotion,
disease prevention- and treatment), regardless of their income. In addition, dental hygienists should consider incorporating
the following dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment issues into their practices:
• Provide disease prevention and treatment services for individuals at high risk for pneumonia, who are in intensive
care units and long-term care facilities.
• Provide in-service training on oral health education to intensive care unit and long-term care facility staff.
• Increase interprofessional collaboration and communication between dental hygienists and long-term care facilities,
and critical care units of hospitals. These new opportunities can focus on oral/general health assessments,
leadership capacity, policy development, surveillance, program delivery and evaluation.
Full Article:
http://www.cdha.ca/pdf/respiratory_part_II_eng.pdf
