Hygiene Tribune U.S. Edition

HYGIENE TRIBUNE The World’s Dental Hygiene Newspaper ·U.S. Edition February 2012 — Vol. 5, No. 2 www.dental-tribune.com fields that have been used for centuries. The brine (saltwater) is poured on fields and left for several days until much of the water has evaporated and salt crystals remain. The crystals are then scraped up and carried to warehouses, typically con- structed of wood, which hold an average of 2,000 tons of salt. In large production plants where continuous processing of salt is common, the procedure is to spray a dosed concentrated fluoride solution through a nozzle onto the salt passing on the conveyor belt below. In some coun- tries one-ton mixers (customarily used for mixing animal feed) are used to add the fluoride. The University of Health Sciences Laos launched an iodine fluoride program this past April. Health officials have estimated that the addition of iodine and fluoride would contribute to the prevention of io- dine deficiency disorders and prevent den- tal caries. AideOdontologiqueInternationale(AOI) is a non-governmental organization work- ing with dentists in Laos and Cambodia. In developing nations, AOI seeks to improve oral health by working concurrently with ministries of health, the World Health Or- ganization and UNICEF. Iodine is an essential micronutrient that is necessary for the normal functioning and development of the brain and body. Children born into households where io- dized salt is not consumed are at risk of de- veloping mental and physical disabilities. Major challenge in Cambodia Dental caries is a major public health threat in Cambodia. Unfortunately, there are serious issues of quality control and sustainability that, to date, have prevent- ed the availability of fluoridated salt to Cambodian consumers. One study, found the Cambodian childhood caries experi- ence to be very high. Only 36 percent of children aged 1–4 years and 4 percent of those aged 5–6 years were caries free. Only 15 percent of mothers reported bottle- Most dental professionals in the United States are unaware that globally, fluoridat- ed salt has significantly reduced the car- ies rate in many developing nations. Full effectiveness relies on the salt reaching consumers by several different channels. Fluoride salt can be used in homes, but it is also distributed to restaurant kitchens, school canteens, hospitals, bakeries and large bread factories. Fluoridation of salt destined for human consumption has been used in Switzerland since 1955. Since 1986 an increasing number of countries, now approximately 15 and mainly in Eu- rope, have adopted salt fluoridation strate- gies. Farmers in Southeast Asia make salt on global citizens who are less fortunate. Serving an active role on the Board of Directors of BMM, Wilson joins a band of pediatricians, psychologists and gen- eral practitioners who facilitate mission trips to territories covering the Carib- bean, Africa, Central America and South America. This year, Wilson will be join- ing BMM on its second mission trip to Haiti. Wilson’s passion for improving oral health in foreign countries is carried with her each day in her profession as well. She is committed to educating her patients about whole-body wellness and the correlation between their oral health and overall health. With the help of some of her favorite dental products, Wilson strives to keep her patients bac- teria-free and is always thrilled to see the results of her work in patients both inside her dental practice and in other parts of the world. Throughout the year, three other de- serving professionals will join Wilson, Donna Caminiti of Springfield, Ill., and Julie Wells Kroeker of McAllen, Texas, as this year’s Crest Oral-B Pros in the Pro- fession winners. Winners will receive a $1,000 mon- etary prize, recognition at a special award cocktail reception at RDH’s Under One Roof 2012 in Las Vegas, a recogni- tion plaque, tribute in dental trade me- dia news announcements and on the website www.dentalcare.com, and an exclusive trip to Proctor and Gamble headquarters. So those who know wor- thy “Pros” like Wilson should help give those individuals the recognition they deserve by nominating them today. Nominations will be accepted through April 2012 at www.prosintheprofession. com or at the Crest Oral-B booth at up- coming dental conventions. Nominations should be submitted by dentists, fellow hygienists, dental assis- tants, professional colleagues and other collegiate colleagues. Submitted nominations should con- vey why the nominee is a true pro. Nom- inees must meet the following criteria: • Registered dental hygienists with two-plus 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 welcome, but oral health-related volunteer experience is preferred. • Registered dental hygienists with examples of work that go above and be- yond the call of duty. Examples include: excellent patient relations/special care/ retainment; involvement in research and/or clinical experience; published work(s); and the ability to generate addi- tional business for their practice. To learn more about Wilson, the other winners and the Pros in the Profession program — including how to nominate a Pro for consideration — visit the website www.prosintheprofession.com. (Source: Crest Oral-B) Crest® Oral-B® congratulates Kareen Wilson, RDH, of Bloomfield, Conn., as the third winner of the brands’ second annual Pros in the Profession® award program, which honors registered den- tal hygienists who go above and beyond the call of duty every day. After careful consideration of a pool of qualified can- didates, a panel of judges selected Wil- son for the award based on her commit- ment to the oral health of not only her patients, but also those in countries who do not have access to proper oral health care. Wilson has been practicing dental hy- giene for more than 15 years, holding a Bachelor of Science degree from Loma Linda University. She is part-owner of the family practice where her husband practices dentistry. Starting in 2004, Wilson realized her true calling when she first joined mis- sion trips to the Dominican Republic and Peru with several other medical profes- sionals, witnessing the drastic need for better oral health care in these countries and other parts of the world. Driven by that experience, Wilson helped start the Bethesda Medical Mission (BMM), a non- profit organization dedicated to offering free health services to enrich the lives of Fluoridated salt used in global fight against caries Aide Odontologique Internationale is working in developing nations to simultaneously address iodine deficiency disorders and dental caries By Patricia Anne Walsh, RDh, BS Latest 'Pros in the Profession' winner named PATRICIA WAlSh, RDh, BS, has been a clinical dental hygienist for more than 20 years. She is a graduate of the Fones School of Dental Hygiene, University of Bridgeport (Conn.). She has an extensive histo- ry in international vol- unteer work in oral health. She was instru- mental in the creation of The Thailand Dental Project, a volunteer program focused on- providing educational, preventive and restorative dental care to children in a tsunami affected region of Thailand. She may be con- tacted at pwalshrdh@uberhygienist.com. Kareen Wilson, RDH Photo/Crest Oral-B ” See SALT, page C2 Kareen Wilson, RDH, recognized for exceptional daily service at home and on international missions