Drying to heal: Principles, applications, and clinical outcomes of dental desiccation therapy
Annie Walters is presenting on desiccation therapy at RDH Under One Roof this year.
Desiccation equals dehydration … that is, to dehydrate or break down harmful bacteria. It can also soften calculus and coagulate the blood. Desiccation is an evidence-based adjunct to treatment. We know that scaling not enough; we need to know what is living in the biofilms.
Annie’s goal with her course is to provide attendees with the ingredients that are useful and case studies; indications and contraindications; along with an emphasis on evidence-based research. She will talk about guidelines for patient selection, scaling in the presence of gingival inflammation, how desiccants can be used to control the inflammation, reduce bleeding, and break down the harmful plaque.
A recent meta-analysis showed statistically significant evidence that outcomes are better with SRP plus desiccation therapy than with SRP alone.
Contact Annie on Instagram @ Anniewaltersrdh or visit her website at anniewaltersrdh.com.
About the Author
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH
Chief Editor, RDH magazine
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH, is a respected dental industry leader with more than 40 years of experience in dental hygiene, marketing, and professional relations. As chief editor of RDH, she is dedicated to advancing the dental profession through education, innovation, and collaboration. Prior to this role, she served as manager of professional relations and communications for Sunstar/GUM, building strong connections with industry associations, educational institutions, and dental professionals nationwide. Jackie has also contributed her expertise through committee service with organizations including the American Dental Education Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Andrew Johnston, RDH
Andrew Johnston, RDH, is your everyday hygienist who is passionate about sharing education and knowledge to others. Practicing in Washington State since 2009, Andrew enjoys utilizing his full scope of practice through traditional and restorative procedures on any given day—still working in the operatory 40-plus hours each week. In 2015, he started the wildly popular dental hygiene podcast A Tale of Two Hygienists with his cofounder Michelle Strange. Because of the podcast's success, they were able to begin a new chapter in dental audio content with The Dental Podcast Network, which consists of 10 short-format shows on different dental topics airing each day of the work week.
Annie Walters, MS, RDH
Annie Walters, MSDH, RDH, has extensive experience as an oral health-care provider. She has spent time caring for individuals in Guatemala and Indian Health Service sites and is passionate about advancing access to care for individuals with specialized health care needs. She is a published author and is trained in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. Annie received her graduate degree from the University of New Mexico and currently serves as an assistant clinical professor at Northern Arizona University. Reach her at [email protected].