By Kim Miller, RDH, BSDH
Get ready now! April is coming!
Attention, hygienists! It's not too late to plan an event for Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness month. April is just around the corner, and the Oral Cancer Foundation (oralcancerfoundation.org) has you covered. They have a variety of resources to help you host and organize a head and neck oral cancer screening event for you community. Check it out today!
Senior Care
Angie Stone, RDH, had a vision and an idea for providing care for our aging population. Her idea has evolved into the HyLife Oral Health Alliance (HOHA). HOHA is a group of dental professionals who are dedicated to ensuring elders remain dentally healthy for their entire life. HOHA resources include HyLife Oral Care Services, HyLife Oral Care/Oral Health Education, HyLife Oral Health Centers, and HyLife Oral Care/Oral Health Products.
In an interview with Angie, she explained how HOHA focuses on the care and service of vulnerable older adults, specifically those residing in assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing communities. The HOHA mission is to be "change agents" by addressing the oral health and well-being of dependent adults. Angie believes this demographic of our elders are at great risk of literally "dying from dirty teeth," and HOHA plans to do something about that. Through education, community engagement, and by providing targeted oral care services, HOHA believes professionals in the field of aging services will be empowered to impact quality, add value, and enhance the patient experience. This is the ultimate win-win for all parties involved.
And here's the best part. HOHA utilizes dental hygienists as their caregivers. These independent oral care specialists bring oral care services (brushing and interdental cleaning) to vulnerable adults. They do not provide dental hygiene services. You may be looking for that next "something" that you can do to give back to your community and continue earning an income. HOHA may be just the ticket. Visit hylifeoha.com to learn more about HOHA and how you can become a provider.
Code Confusion?
The "DentalCodeology" book series by Patti DiGangi, RDH, not only has the answers but is dedicated to helping dentistry, and more specifically, hygienists, provide efficient, cost-effective, evidence- and value-based clinical care through the interconnectivity of the overall health-care system.
Codes are about more than just dental benefit payments. CDT codes are the metrics for dentistry. Metrics can give us the power to quickly arrive at data-driven decisions that can improve outcomes and performance, drive cost savings, and enhance quality of care and patient satisfaction.
Patti's new e-book, "CDT 2017 Shifts" is packed full of practical, straightforward coding wisdom. She does a great job introducing the new codes, especially the gingivitis code. Patti's clear and concise explanation of D4346 makes the application of this new code very doable. In addition, I really appreciated the section on CAMBRA, which included a breakdown of the three levels of prevention as well as the caries risk assessment codes. This book is available as an E-book.
The most recent addition, and fifth in the lineup of the "little books" is, "A Gingivitis Code Finally!" In this book, Patti demystifies the new D4346 code by using case reports to help the entire team understand the role each of them plays in this changing area.
I talk with hygienists all over the country who candidly share that they know very little about insurance coding. As the provider of the service, we are responsible for using the correct billing code. Here is you chance to get the help you need with coding answers and information right at your fingertips. You can order the DentalCodeology series at dentalcodeology.com. The print books come with a handy carrying case.
Ergonomic Seating
Introducing the Silverton, a new addition to the Crown Seating lineup of saddle stools and introduced at the Chicago MidWinter Meeting last month. This saddle stool has an ergonomic design that promotes the natural S curve of the spine in addition to an optimal active seating position. This active way of sitting enhances the circulation and makes it possible to easily move into all working positions around the patient's head.
The mechanism of action includes a two-lever spring adjustment, which allows for height adjustment and up to 15-degree lateral movement. The unisex seat is made with a recyclable polymer frame. Additional benefits and features include:
- Seat groove prevents undue pressure on the tailbone
- Multi-angle pelvic positioning helps reduce lower back strain
- Improved balance point allows you to bend forward and reach further with less strain
- Small seat size allows the closest positioning to the patient
Visit crownseating.com to check out the type of seating that's best for you.
As always, email me your comments and suggestions of products you would like to see reviewed here, [email protected]. RDH
KIM MILLER, RDH, BSDH, is the cofounder of PerioFrogz.com, an information-based website providing free current oral-systemic research summaries and patient education downloads. Kim is also a coach with Inspired Hygiene, delivering customized hands-on training. She speaks internationally, writes articles and webinars, and enjoys clinical dental hygiene. Kim lives in Arizona and welcomes you to contact her at [email protected].
