In This Section: Zeroing in on Xerostomia by Trisha O’Hehir, RDH, MS Editorial Director, Hygienetown


Zeroing in on Xerostomia

by Trisha O'Hehir, RDH, MS
Hygienetown Editorial Director


Three years ago Linda Douglas submitted a PowerPoint CE course on xerostomia to be part of Dentaltown.com's CE offerings. It's an in-depth look at xerostomia and current therapies. Her interest in this area began when she noticed more and more patients with xerostomia. Patients who had been stable for years were suddenly experiencing root caries or caries in odd places like incisal edges of anterior teeth or cusps of canines. Douglas' strong desire to support these patients and prevent further destruction launched her journey into the world of saliva.

She read the literature, took courses and asked many questions of those working in the area of saliva and xerostomia. After learning so much, she wanted to share these insights in an engaging way with her colleagues who found this topic rather "dry"(pun intended). To do this, Douglas created a one-hour, engaging CE course that has been viewed by many Townies and spurred many message board discussions on the topic. She has become known as "that hygienist who has a 'thing' about saliva."Other Townies come to her for answers and send links to new xerostomia literature. To Douglas, the study of xerostomia is a constant work in progress.

The online CE course was just the beginning. This month we have a follow-up article on the ingredients in prescription and over-the-counter products for xerostomia. In April, Douglas will be speaking at the 2013 Townie Meeting in Las Vegas. She joined Toastmasters to gain the skills and confidence to present to her colleagues in April. When asked if she would recommend other Townies develop a CE course, she said, "Yes indeed! I would highly recommend it. Pick a topic that interests you, and that addresses the needs of your patients and your practice. Then search the literature and ask fellow Townies for input. Townies are each other's greatest resources!"

Inside This Section
119    Perio Reports
124    Profile in Oral Health: Substances for Targeting Xerostomia
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