Dental Tribune U.S. Edition

HYGIENE TRIBUNE The World’s Dental Hygiene Newspaper · U.S. Edition OctOber 2011 www.dental-tribune.com VOl. 4, NO. 10 The amazing opposable thumb Have you ever tried typing without using your thumb for the space bar? Now imagine attempting to scale a patient’s teeth without using your thumb. The effects of CMC arthritis, which affects the base of the thumb, develops over time due to the constant pinching pressure a hygienist applies during the work day. (Photo/Dewayne Flowers, www.dreamstime.com) Donna Caminiti, RDH of Springfiled, Ill. (Photo/Provided by P&G) g HT page 3C Crest Oral-B announces Donna Caminiti, RDH, as recipient of Pros in the Profession Award Crest® Oral-B® recognized Donna Caminiti, RDH, of Springfield, Ill., as the first winner of the brands’ sec- ond-annual Pros in the Profession award program, honoring registered dental hygienists who go above and beyond the call of duty every day. After careful consideration of a pool of qualified candidates, a panel of judges selected Caminiti for the award based on her commitment to not only the oral health of her patients, but also their overall health and well-being. Caminiti has been practicing dental hygiene for more than 34 years and holds a Bachelor’s of Sci- ence in dental hygiene from Loyola University. She earned her license in 1977 with a focus in teaching and graduated in 1978. For several years, Caminiti taught at the student clinic at Loyola University, and has worked in various private practice settings, both general and periodon- tic. Deeply committed to the preven- tion of oral cancer, Caminiti founded a smoking-cessation program that motivates her patients to quit smok- ing and displays their success on a bulletin board in Caminiti’s office. “Donna’s smoking cessation pro- gram is just one of the many things that makes Donna a true ‘pro’ and deserving of this recognition,” said Marni Baker, RDH, a close friend from Springfield who nominated Caminiti for the Pros in the Profes- sion award. “Donna exudes under- standing and the capability to go above and beyond the call of duty. Her genuine love for others is appar- ent in all she does, even outside of the professional realm.” Caminiti is also an advocate for Oral-B power toothbrushes, and through another program she cre- ated, Caminiti displays photos of patients using their Oral-B power toothbrush in unique locations across the world. Caminiti stated, “I have to admit, some of the power toothbrush photo entries get quite creative, but at least I have proof that the patients are brushing!” Throughout the year, five other deserving professionals will join Caminiti as this year’s Crest Oral-B Pros in the Profession. Winners will receive a $1,000 monetary prize, rec- ognition at a special award cocktail reception at RDH’s Under One Roof 2012 in Las Vegas, a recognition plaque, tribute in dental trade media news announcements and on www. dentalcare.com, and an exclusive trip to P&G headquarters. So those who know worthy “pros” like Caminiti should help give them the recog- nition they deserve by nominating them today. Nominations will be accepted through April 2012 either online at www.prosintheprofession.com or at the Crest Oral-B booth at upcom- ing dental conventions. Nominations should be submitted by dentists, fel- low hygienists, dental assistants, pro- fessional colleagues and collegiate colleagues, conveying why their nominee is a true “pro.” Nominees must meet the following criteria: • Registered dental hygienists with two or more years of practice experience after graduation from dental hygiene school. • Registered dental hygienists with community service involvement. • General volunteer/non-oral health-specific examples are wel- come, but oral health-related volun- teer experience is preferred. • Registered dental hygien- ists with examples of work that go above and beyond the call of duty. Examples include: excellent patient relations/special care/retainment; involvement in research and/or clin- ical experience; published work(s); and the ability to generate additional business for their practice. To learn more about Pros in the Profession, including how to nomi- nate a “pro” for consideration, visit, www.prosintheprofession.com. HT For four years, I’ve been fas- cinated with thumbs, and right- fully so. In fact, I’ve got a thumb that just doesn’t function the way it used to when I first started working as a hygienist 40 years ago. When I go out to dinner with my husband, I notice how other patrons handle their knife and fork. I find myself wondering things such as, “Why do they hold their eating utensils the way they do? Do they have arthritis? Why does that lady hold her glass in both hands, is there something wrong with her thumbs?” I even watch the wait staff and worry about how long they will be able to heft the heavy trays with mul- tiple plates of food. Actors in movies, my patients, my friends, people I encounter during the course of the day, I am watching them all. My hus- band says I’m obsessed. I freely admit that I am. The thumb is our main claim to fame as humans. No other species has a digit that is so singularly talented. Without your thumbs, it is infinitely more difficult to tie a bow, cut with scis- sors, use a can opener, blow your nose, button a button. Oh, here’s a good one: try typing without your thumb to use the space bar. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Now that I have your atten- tion, try scaling someone’s teeth without using your thumb. There is one word for such an endeav- or, and that word is impossible. There are several problems that can develop with our hands over time. The one we’ll focus on here is CMC arthritis. The long name for it is carpometacarpal arthri- tis, or in non-technical language, arthritis at the base of the thumb. CMC arthritis develops over time as we constantly apply pinch- ing force all day long, attacking tenacious calculus and stain. Not By Colene W. House, RDH