National Dental Hygiene Month is Here!

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has once again teamed up with the Wrigley Oral Health Care Program (WOHP) to celebrate the amazing work done by these dental professionals. For the seventh consecutive year, the two organizations collaborate on how to provide hygienists with a wide range of oral health resources to share with their patients in an effort to utilize their unique role in patient communications. This year, the event is centered around starting a conversation with patients about doing the “Daily 4,” a daily oral health routine that includes brushing teeth twice daily, flossing daily, rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthrinse and chewing sugarfree gum after eating or drinking when brushing isn’t an option.

“As dental hygiene professionals, it is our responsibility to make connections with out patients,” said Betty Kabel, RDH, BS, and president of ADHA in a recent article from Newswise. “Starting the conversation with them about their oral health and their prevention options builds that connection. Incorporating the Daily 4 regimen into that conversation will help develop a patient-centered, individualized routine.”

“The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program is proud to celebrate all that dental hygienists do to brighten smiles every day, and especially during National Dental Hygiene Month,” said Michelle Green, the U.S. Marketing Communications Manager at Wrigley. “We’re all fortunate to partner with ADHA to provide resources that support conversations about the Daily 4.”

A variety of event resources and materials are available to help hygienists begin the conversation with their patients. Additionally, the Wrigley Company Foundation in partnership with the ADHA Institute for Oral Health (IOH) is offering grants of $2,500 or $5,000 to dental hygienists who are pursuing community service projects aimed at improving oral health in their communities. For more information, visit the website, http://www.adha.org/national-dental-hygiene-month.