Keep Others Smiling!

If you are a caregiver either for family members or for clients as part of your professional responsibility, this book is written especially for you. Causes of oral diseases and measures useful in preventing their occurrence are discussed as are the risks posed by oral infections to those with common chronic conditions. Simple, inexpensive modifications to oral care devices and routines are described. Some foster self-sufficiency while others make providing daily care more effective and easier for the caregiver.

If you are a caregiver either for family members or for clients as part of your professional responsibility, this book is written especially for you. Toileting and bathing are usually perceived as vital components of daily personal care. However, daily oral care is often sidelined as unimportant. A dirty mouth can lead to painful infections which can spread throughout the body and create serious problems for individuals with acute or chronic medical conditions. The causes of oral diseases and measures useful in preventing their occurrence are reviewed. One key to preventing infections is daily thorough cleaning of the mouth. Average children will need help with daily oral hygiene until they are nine or ten years old. Individuals with physical or developmental challenges or who develop chronic health conditions may be partially self-sufficient but may always need some level of additional help. Simple, inexpensive modifications to oral care devices and routines are described. Some foster self-sufficiency while others make providing daily care more effective and easier for the caregiver.

Catherine Thom has been associated with oral health care since graduating with a Diploma in Dental Hygiene from the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Her work experience included private practice (orthodontic and general) and dental public health prior to becoming an educator after completing an undergraduate arts degree at Carleton University, Ottawa. Ms. Thom spent 28 years at Algonquin College in Ottawa as a professor and program co-ordinator. After serving in acting administrative capacities as Dental Programs Director and Chair of the Allied Health Department she chose to return to the classroom. Ms. Thom co-ordinated curriculum, clinical and field placement activities for the full-time, continuing education and post-graduate programs. She also participated in the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities curriculum development workshops to establish the baseline competencies to be taught in Ontario dental hygiene and dental assistant programs. While on sabbatical leave she completed a master’s degree in psychology at Carleton University which lead to research and co-ordination of standardized testing procedures for admission to dental hygiene programs used across Ontario for over a decade. Ms. Thom served for four years as a professional member on the governing Council of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. She participated on the Education, Communication and Discipline Committees. As a member of the Quality Assurance Committee she assisted in developing professional assessment materials. She also chaired the Clinical Assessment Restructuring Committee. Since leaving Algonquin College, Ms. Thom has provided educational consulting services to dental hygiene programs and conducted continuing education workshops. This book represents the culmination of over four decades of experience in imparting health care information to dental professionals and clients.