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14 Dental Tribune United Kindgom Edition | 8/2016 TRENDS & APPLICATIONS year. How have you experienced working with students? I love working with students. At first, they can be resistant, but if one perseveres, one sees the change. The beauty of the iTOP events in Prague is that the groups are so small. With only six people, one can teach them individually. They then understand the value of teaching their patients before picking up the scaler. We are all clinicians first. One is taught to use a scaler, but it is much harder to properly use a toothbrush. Toothbrush first, cleaning after. What is the current status of dental hygienists in Ireland in your opinion? The situation has improved. A few years ago, we had a difficult time because the tax situation changed. Traditionally, dental hygienists were seen as self- employed, but a recent change by the revenue commissioners has made many employees. This may seem a small change, but it brought a period of uncertainty for both dentists and dental hy- gienists, particularly those work- ing in multiple locations. The economic climate was poor for a number of years, but now the Celtic Tiger has begun to move again. There is an interest in dental hygiene and patients are motivated to come back. We have also established a good relation- ship with the Irish Dental Asso- ciation. We are a small country and need to work together. We do have good relationships and they do support us. Do dentists listen to dental hy- gienists? For the first time this year, I worked at a trade stand for CURAPROX in Ireland at a dental conference. All of the dentists I met had dental hygienists. They wanted to take our samples back to their practice and inform their hygienists about CURAPROX and the iTOP courses. I think they have embraced dental hygiene completely. In Ireland, dental hygienists fulfil typical duties, such as cleaning and polishing teeth, providing supra- and subgingi- val scaling, applying appropriate prophylaxis and educating about oral health. Dentists refer their patients to us after an initial ex- amination and propose the treat- ment. Thus, we have to work to- gether and adopt a team approach to our patients. Will there be a shift towards pre- vention? I would like to see more public funding given to preventative treatment and initiatives. We have experienced some cuts in funding lately. The new govern- ment will continue to look at the possibilities. There is a great deal of work to do with regard to prevention, but we keep pushing. We try to make a difference with every sin- gle patient that comes through the door. On an association level, the IDHA continues to work with government and fellow dental associations to improve the oral health of the Irish popu- lation. Thank you very much for this inter- view. www.dental-tribune.com The Dental Tribune International Magazines Shipping Address Name Address Zip Code, City Country E-mail Date, Signature PayPal Credit Card Credit Card Number Expiration Date Security Code CAD/CAM Clinical Masters* cosmetic dentistry** implants laser ortho** roots Journal of Oral Science & Rehabilitation*** Fax: +49 341 48474 173 E-mail: subscriptions@dental-tribune.com EUR 44 per year (4 issues per year; incl. shipping and VAT for customers in Germany) and EUR 46 per year (4 issues per year; incl. shipping for customers outside Germany). * EUR 12 per year (1 issue per year; incl. shipping and VAT for customers in Germany) and EUR 14 per year (1 issue per year; incl. shipping for customers outside Germany). ** EUR 22 per year (2 issues per year; incl. shipping and VAT for customers in Germany) and EUR 23 per year (2 issues per year; incl. shipping for customers outside Germany). *** EUR 200 per year (4 issues per year; incl. shipping and VAT). Your subscription will be renewed automatically every year until a written cancellation is sent to Dental Tribune International GmbH, Holbeinstr. 29, 04229 Leipzig, Germany, six weeks prior to the renewal date. I would like to subscribe to SUBSCRIBE NOW! AD “I would like to see more public funding given to preventative treatment and initiatives.” Fax: +4934148474173