Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - (Page 28) Mad about MID With more ways to prevent and detect caries, minimally invasive dentistry is becoming the new standard of care for dental hygienists. by Noah Levine A combination of encouraging research, advancing technology and expanding patient education and acceptance are moving Minimally Invasive Dentistry (MID) forward, but there is still a way to go before this preventive medical model becomes the standard of care in the dental world. THE PRE-MID PAST In the not too distant past, fluoride treatments and fluoridated water were the most common caries prevention strategies. Removing and replacing decayed teeth and fixing other dental problems after they occurred were standard operating procedures. Patients often feared the pain and discomfort of visiting the dentist and jokes portraying dentists as sadists were common. However, the last few decades have seen major advances in understanding the causes of caries, and hygienists are a leading force in the growth of early caries detection, noninvasive treatments and prevention strategies. Obstacles remain, but someday soon the dental paradigm might be completely shifted from the reactive surgical status quo to a proactive medical model. “It’s still a reparative model versus a prevention model, but slowly but surely preventive care is moving into the dental arena,” says Carri Cady, RDH, sales director for Oral BioTech, maker of CariFree products. PRESENT DAY DETECTION This new model is based around treating the bacteria that cause caries and detecting the caries-caused tooth decay that does occur as early as possible. Prevention and early detection allow optimal treatment and less discomfort for the patient. Laser caries detection technologies can spot the onset of the disease in its earliest stages and use of this equipment is becoming more commonplace. Jeff Thibadeau, vice president of clinical affairs at KaVo America, says about 20% of U.S. dental offices use his company’s DIAGNOdent laser detection systems. 28 modernhygienist.com | October 2008 PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Hygienist - October 2008 Modern Hygienist - October 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Letters News Modern Solutions Trends: Homecare Trends: Perio Trends: Ergo Trends: Mid Care After Chemo Professional Rewind Esthetic Expertise: Make or Break Relationship Hands-on Hygiene: Have You Seen the Light? Going the Distance Training for Life Presi-dental Politics Ad Index Moonlighting Modern Hygienist - October 2008 Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Modern Hygienist - October 2008 (Page Cover1) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Modern Hygienist - October 2008 (Page Cover2) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Contents (Page 3) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Contents (Page 4) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Contents (Page 5) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Contents (Page 6) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Contents (Page 8) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Contents (Page 9) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Editor's Letter (Page 10) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Letters (Page 11) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - News (Page 12) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - News (Page 13) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - News (Page 14) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Modern Solutions (Page 15) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Modern Solutions (Page 16) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Modern Solutions (Page 17) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Modern Solutions (Page 18) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Modern Solutions (Page 19) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Modern Solutions (Page 20) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Modern Solutions (Page 21) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Trends: Homecare (Page 22) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Trends: Homecare (Page 23) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Trends: Perio (Page 24) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Trends: Perio (Page 25) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Trends: Ergo (Page 26) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Trends: Ergo (Page 27) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Trends: Mid (Page 28) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Trends: Mid (Page 29) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Care After Chemo (Page 30) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Care After Chemo (Page 31) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Care After Chemo (Page 32) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Care After Chemo (Page 33) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Professional Rewind (Page 34) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Professional Rewind (Page 35) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Esthetic Expertise: Make or Break Relationship (Page 36) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Esthetic Expertise: Make or Break Relationship (Page 37) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Hands-on Hygiene: Have You Seen the Light? (Page 38) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Hands-on Hygiene: Have You Seen the Light? (Page 39) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Going the Distance (Page 40) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Going the Distance (Page 41) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Going the Distance (Page 42) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Going the Distance (Page 43) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Training for Life (Page 44) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Training for Life (Page 45) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Presi-dental Politics (Page 46) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Presi-dental Politics (Page 47) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Presi-dental Politics (Page 48) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Ad Index (Page 49) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Moonlighting (Page 50) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Moonlighting (Page Cover3) Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - Moonlighting (Page Cover4)
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