Dear RDH:
As a hygienist of 20 years and a subscriber to RDH magazine, I wanted to write and let you know how inspiring Anne Guignon's article, “When there's just not enough: Helping the homeless,” in the November issue was. While it is always nice to read about the latest products and trends, upcoming events, and continuing educaton opportunities, it was interesting to hear how she used her profession to impact her community and actually make a difference with the Just Add Water bags.
For me personally, it has ignited a passion to do the same in my city. Thanks for printing the article and challenging me to look at a new aspect of dental hygiene that I never envisioned. The possibilities are endless!
Carole Merten, RDH
Austin, Texas
Dear RDH:
Lory Laughter's January 2010 column speculated on the morals of fairy tales, including “Ring Around the Rosie” that “shows us everyone can fall down.” Actually, its original meaning was far different. Before literacy, fairy tales and nursery rhymes were used to teach oral traditions, life lessons, and occasionally political satire. This particular rhyme was intended to help children memorize the symptoms of the recent bubonic plaque that devastated England in the early 1300s.
The first line, “ring around the rosy,” describes the typical skin lesion associated with the disease, a bright red (or rosy) ulcerated spot surrounded by a ring. The next line, “pocket full of posies,” refers to the medieval physician's superstitious practice of carrying scented herbs and flowers (often posies) in front of his nose to ward off the plaque. Pictures of 17th century physicians often show them in long robes wearing bird–like masks. The posies were stuffed inside the long beak.
The final verse, “ashes, ashes, we all fall down,” refers to the falling ashes from the bonfires used to burn the bodies of plague victims.
Bill Landers
Reston, Virginia
Dear RDH:
The article by Antoinette Covino titled, “The Heat is On,” in your December 2009 issue read more like an advertisement for Florida Probe and software. The fault in this scenario is not that protocols were not understood; the fault was the second hygienist did not read the chart. If she had read the chart, she would have seen the previous perio charting, the findings by the dentist, and what would be performed at the next visit. This hygienist was completely out of place to say the previous treatment was not necessary, especially since she knew the patient was seen by her employer.
I do agree that all staff should know the office protocols, but I feel this was a poor example to illustrate this point.
Marilyn Abdalla, RDH
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
