Shortage of dental hygienists continues
Nov 9, 2005 -Daily flossing and brushing are important elements in preventing dental decay and tooth loss from gum disease. However, professional preventive care is also critical since plaque and calculus, the first signs of gum disease, cannot be removed by the layperson. Recognizing this, dentistry has supported the development of allied professions such as dental hygienists and certified dental assistants to provide preventive services.
Over the past several years, there has been a continued shortage of dental hygienists in this province. The ratio of dental hygienist to dentist in BC is among the lowest in Canada. With 1,975 hygienists and approximately 2,800 dentists, BC’s ratio is approximately .70, far lower than the ratio of .90 in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. In 2004, 36.5% of general practitioner dentists indicated that they were seeking to hire a hygienist or increase the number of hygiene hours. While the shortage has recently improved somewhat, there is still a desperate need for hygienists in many areas.
The recent increase in hygienists practising in the province is attributed primarily to in-migration, since the approximate 66 hygienists who graduate each year essentially replace those who retire. The situation will worsen as attrition rates of the aging hygiene workforce increase.
The BC Dental Association is actively recruiting hygienists from other provinces and working to increase the number of dental hygiene seats in BC through private and public programs. Based on the above figures, this province can absorb approximately 300-400 more full-time equivalent hygienists.
A new dental hygiene program would ease the ongoing shortage.
The BCDA is seeking government support for new dental hygiene education programs to enhance access to preventive care in BC.
<<Top
Dentist-provided exams are critical for patients’ oral health
Nov 9, 2005 -Dentists are the only oral health professionals trained to diagnose and treat all conditions of the oral facial complex, including cancer and systemic diseases. Dental disease is progressive, and delayed treatment can result in pain, bleeding and infection that may require medical intervention.
Currently, dental hygienists can only treat patients if the patient has been examined by a dentist within the past 365 days. This ensures the early identification and treatment of dental and systemic disease. The College of Dental Hygienists of BC is seeking an exemption to the 365-day requirement for certain classes of dental hygienists. The BC Dental Association believes that the current requirement safeguards patients’ oral health.
While dental hygienists can conduct “assessments,” only dentists can perform “diagnoses,” a restricted Act in BC. Dental examinations present all treatment requirements, allowing patients to prioritize their care and make educated treatment choices. As noted by the Health Professions Council, they also serve to protect patient safety.
The oral health of British Columbians has been well served with the 365-day examination requirement. The BC Dental Association urges the government to retain this requirement.
<<Top
Extending hospital admitting privileges to oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Nov 9, 2005 - Currently, oral and maxillofacial surgeons (oral surgeons) must co-admit dental surgical patients requiring day surgery or in-patient surgery. The patient and healthcare system would be better served by allowing oral surgeons to admit their own patients.
In 2004, oral surgeons treated approximately 3,000 patients in hospital. Oral surgeons’ education and training includes extensive instruction in physical diagnosis and medical histories, with four years of hospital residency that includes three months of internal medicine, six months of general anesthesia and six months of general surgery. They have the necessary education and expertise to admit patients directly to hospital.
At present, medical histories and physical examinations are conducted by both the oral surgeon and the co-admitting physician, resulting in a duplication of costs and wasted public resources. In the case of emergencies, this system can delay the appropriate medical responses, since the co-admitting physician is often contacted rather than the oral surgeon, who is most familiar with the case. Solo admitting privileges for oral surgeons could translate both into health care savings and enhanced patient safety.
It is for the above reasons that the BC Dental Association endorses the recommendation of the Health Professions Council to permit specially trained dentists, such as oral surgeons, to admit their own patients.
The BC Dental Association is seeking amendments to the Hospital Act that would allow oral surgeons to solely admit their own surgical and day patients.
<<Top
Taking care of the oral health of BC’s elders
Nov 9, 2005 -BC has one of the most rapidly aging populations in Canada. With increasing life expectancy, the population of seniors, especially those over 80 years of age, will grow dramatically in the next 20 years.
Oral health is a critical part of an individual’s overall health. Oral health influences one’s quality of life with respect to eating, speaking and socializing. For the medically compromised patients, poor oral health can adversely affect their medical conditions. Unmet dental decay and periodontal disease may cause pain, bleeding and infection, which can diminish their quality of life and compromise their immune systems.
Unlike their parents, today’s seniors are retaining their teeth longer due to better preventive oral healthcare. Only ten years ago, 50% of seniors had natural teeth, whereas today, this figure is believed to be considerably higher.
Ensuring oral care for our seniors, especially those in long term care facilities, is a growing health issue that needs addressing. Diagnosis and treatment for geriatric patients is different than what is required for younger patients due to changes in teeth and other oral tissues that occur with age. It is especially challenging given the extensive oral disease and medical problems associated with the elderly.
The BC Dental Association is committed to finding solutions to enhance access to care for seniors through public and professional education and innovative initiatives involving public and private partnerships. One avenue the Association is exploring is a pilot dental plan for long term care homes.
The Association is seeking government’s support of its initiatives with regard to seniors.
<<Top
