The impact of prebiotics and probiotics on the oral microbiome of individuals with periodontal disease

Relevance to Practice

CJDH Between the Lines is a video interview series highlighting current scientific research of relevance to the dental hygiene profession. It explores how research findings impact dental hygiene care and supports evidence-informed practice.

According to the Entry-to-Practice Canadian Competencies for Dental Hygienists, “dental hygienists [must be] committed to excellence in practice through critical thinking, continuous learning, and application of evidence-informed decision making. The integration of evidence-informed practice optimizes oral health care”.¹

Members are encouraged to assess gaps in current knowledge and evidence, transfer knowledge to others, and explore complex issues from different points of view. This new learning activity also encourages critical thinking and consumption of scientific research, and provides access to reliable sources of information.

¹Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada. Entry-to-practice Canadian competencies for dental hygienists. Ottawa (ON): FDHRC; 2021. Available from: www.fdhrc.ca/sites/files/EPCCoDH_FDHRC_November_2021.pdf

Format for Learning

The recorded interview is available in English with French closed captioning. The research article is available in English.

The interview is approximately 15 minutes in length; access to the accompanying research article is provided along with a set of self-reflection questions. The learning is self-directed, and the article can be downloaded and printed. The self-reflection questions must be completed prior to receiving a certificate of completion. It is expected that viewing the recording, reading the article, and answering the questions will take you at least 1 hour.

A certificate of completion will be provided. After watching the video, reading the article, answering the questions, and responding to a feedback survey, you can access a certificate of completion from your online CDHA profile.

Speakers

Heather Doucette, DipDH, BSc, MEd

Heather Doucette is an associate professor in the School of Dental Hygiene at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has served as a content knowledge expert for national clinical competencies, published research findings and textbook chapters, has overseen an oral health care focussed clinical trial, and presented at local, national, and international conferences. Heather is also the director of the Government Assisted Populations (GAP) Oral Health Clinic for newcomers at the university and has developed initiatives to provide oral health care to other vulnerable populations.

Salme Lavigne, PhD, RDH

Salme Lavigne was appointed scientific editor of the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, effective December 1, 2015. She holds a diploma in dental hygiene from the University of Toronto, a bachelor’s degree in biomedical anthropology from Lakehead University, a master’s degree in dental hygiene education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a doctorate in community health sciences from the University of Manitoba. Salme was the founding director of the dental hygiene program at Confederation College, Thunder Bay, and served as director of the School of Dental Hygiene, University of Manitoba, for 13 years where she developed and initiated the first BScDH program at that institution. An internationally recognized researcher and educator, Salme has received Alumni of Distinction awards from the University of Toronto and the UMKC School of Dentistry, and a Life Membership Award from the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association.