Oral health is a part of total optimum health. Recent publications have disclosed the relationship between oral health and diabetes, heart disease, low birth weight/ premature babies and lung diseases. As a dental hygienist for over twenty years I was able to see these connections first hand. I was able to see how removing the debris in the patients' mouth would improve their total health. For one uncontrolled diabetic patient I personally treated, I was able to see first hand how once the infection that was destroying the gums and the underlying bone was cleared up, the diabetes became more stable. The care I provided for the patient was not complicated from a dental hygiene treatment standpoint, but the periodontal status was seriously compromised due to the diabetic condition. Often the services provided by dental hygienists are often seen as a luxury and only those who have "dental insurance" are able to take advantage of this type of care. This patient had not been afforded routine dental hygiene care throughout his life to prevent the complications in the first place.

Our health care system in the United States is the greatest in the world in my opinion. It is just very broken with too many entities determining how care should be provided, delivered and compensated. In dental hygiene there is no consistency in the type or manner our care can be provided. It was only recently that dental hygienists in Virginia were granted authority, under the supervision of a dentist, to provide pain management with nitrous oxide sedation and administration of local anesthesia, while dental hygienists in other states in have been providing this service for over 30 years! How are those in one state different than those in another who have to go through the rigorous educational standards as well as national and clinical board examinations?

I am joining the movement of Healthcare United because anyone can make a difference. As a citizen of the United States of America, we must be willing to take the time to understand the issues our country is facing. In 1992, the candidates campaigned for healthcare reform and the country became aware of the issues Americans were facing. Americans are still facing these same problems, only we now know more about how preventive oral health care can make all Americans healthier. This election is already proven to be one of historic proportions. Historic changes are going to be made, the question is, are you going to be a part of those changes or let others make the decisions for you?

 

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