Dentaltown March 2013 - (Page 118)

hygiene and prevention in this section Zeroing in on Xerostomia by Trisha E. O’Hehir, RDH, MS Hygienetown Editorial Director Three years ago Linda Douglas submitted a PowerPoint CE course on xerostomia to be part of Dentaltown.com’s CE offerings. It’s an in-depth look at xerostomia and current therapies. Her interest in this area began when she noticed more and more patients with xerostomia. Patients who had been stable for years were suddenly experiencing root caries or caries in odd places like incisal edges of anterior teeth or cusps of canines. Douglas’ strong desire to support these patients and prevent further destruction launched her journey into the world of saliva. She read the literature, took courses and asked many questions of those working in the area of saliva and xerostomia. After learning so much, she wanted to share these insights in an engaging way with her colleagues who found this topic rather “dry” (pun intended). To do this, Douglas created a one-hour, engaging CE course that has been viewed by many Townies and spurred many message board discussions on the topic. She has become known as “that hygienist who has a ‘thing’ about saliva.” Other Townies come to her for answers and send links to new xerostomia literature. To Douglas, the study of xerostomia is a constant work in progress. The online CE course was just the beginning. This month we have a follow-up article on the ingredients in prescription and over-the-counter products for xerostomia. In April, Douglas will be speaking at the 2013 Townie Meeting in Las Vegas. She joined Toastmasters to gain the skills and confidence to present to her colleagues in April. When asked if she would recommend other Townies develop a CE course, she said, “Yes indeed! I would highly recommend it. Pick a topic that interests you, and that addresses the needs of your patients and your practice. Then search the literature and ask fellow Townies for input. Townies are each other’s greatest resources!” n Inside This Section 119 Perio Reports 124 Profile in Oral Health: Substances for Targeting Xerostomia 118 MARCH 2013 » dentaltown.com » http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown March 2013

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: Dentistry Could Come Back with a Vengeance
Professional Courtesy: I’m No Anti-Dentite
Continuing Education Update
Second Opinion: Should Endodontists Place Implants?
Needle Stick Question
Am I the Only One Who Didn’t Know How to Use My Loupes?
The Patient Blames Me for Cracking His Tooth
Corporate Profile: {KöR}
CAD/CAM Materials
Dentaltown Research: Cosmetic Dentistry
Do-it-Yourself Finance, Part IV: Savings and Investing
Product Profile: Centrix
Keep Them Coming Back
You Should Know: Likeable Dentists
Multimodality Endodontics
Endodontics for the Recent Graduate: Instrumentation
Continuing Education Porcelain Veneers: From Case Selection to Cementation
8½ Tips for Dental Safety Checklists
How Prepared Are You For a Medical Emergency?
Dental Stem Cell Preservation and the Dawning of Regenerative Oral Medicine
Product Profile: Ivoclar EvoCerem
Narrow Diameter Implant Overdentures with Locator Attachments
In This Issue: Zeroing in on Xerostomia
Perio Reports
Ad Index
Profile in Oral Health: Substances for Targeting Xerostomia
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown March 2013