The renewal came in a letter dated November 30, 2011, from Susan Matheson, Director of CDAC.

Mohammed Wajiduddin, President of Oxford College, said, “We are very proud of the great work being done by the faculty in our Dental Hygiene program. For the last eight years we have been teaching Dental Hygiene, and each year we improve the program and prove that we are among the best in Canada.”

Matilda Berg, Director of the Dental Hygiene program, said she was “extremely happy” with this news, adding this is “good for the college, the students and staff morale, and good for going forward from here.”

The process to renew accreditation began in January with the college’s first submission. In March, members of CDAC held a site visit at Oxford College, where they spoke with students and staff. In late November CDAC held its meetings to determine accreditation for various college and university dental hygiene programs.

“I am very pleased with the outcomes,” said Saadia Choudhry, Assistant Director of the Dental Hygiene program. “It has been a long year with a lot of sleepless nights. I feel very fortunate to work with such a hard working and dedicated team.”

This news from CDAC comes about a month after Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities gave their approval to enhancements in the program. The program administrators are now working on implementing a new curriculum to match national competencies in the field. Matilda Berg says the changes “will make us more consistent across Canada with other dental hygiene programs.”

“In this economy, everyone is worried about getting a good job,” said Linda Franklin, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “Greater numbers of students are choosing Ontario college programs that prepare them for their career goals.”

Even in the height of the recession, more than 83 per cent of college graduates were hired within six months of graduation, according to the most recent Key Performance Indicators collected by the province. And 93 per cent of employers are satisfied or very satisfied with the performance of college graduates.

Ontario’s colleges have been actively promoting the value of a college education for people entering the new knowledge economy.

The promotion has included the launch this week of a new advertising campaign that promotes the leading-edge careers available to college graduates in areas such as game development, biotechnology, and forensics. The new campaign includes TV, radio, Internet, newspaper and transit shelter ads.

Franklin said it is clear that perceptions are changing and increasing numbers of parents and students are taking a new look at college. For example, the number of university graduates applying to college has increased more than 40 per cent since 2007.

“There is growing awareness that college programs provide an excellent combination of theoretical knowledge and specific career training,” Franklin said. “We are pleased to see record numbers of students pursuing college education this year.”

“While terms like flashy, glitzy, glamorous and prestigious aren’t typically associated with our list of underrated jobs, these careers have some great advantages that are often overlooked,” says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com. “They’re professions that don’t woo people with the high salaries or notoriety, but instead have characteristics that make them especially worthy.”

CareerCast.com’s most underrated jobs typically have median-to-higher income levels, lower stress, lower environmental dangers and lower physical demands. And even in this tight economy, all share one great attribute: a lower than average unemployment rate.

In the United States, Dental Hygienists make an average income of $67,107. Moreover, the long-term job outlook for this profession is looking good: In 2008, there were roughly 175,000 dental hygienists in the U.S. By 2018, that number is expected to increase to nearly 240,000, an increase of more than 36%.

This news follows a recent article from Canadian Living magazine, which put Dental Hygienist among “Canada’s 10 hottest jobs”. The article commented that “the industry will continue to grow as Canada’s aging population requires more care, more Canadians enjoy dental coverage, and the booming demand for adult cosmetic dentistry continues (thank you, Hollywood!).”

Tooth decay begins when acid produced by bacteria in plaque dissolves the mineral in the teeth, causing microscopic holes or ‘pores’ to form. As the decay process progresses these micro-pores increase in size and number. Eventually the damaged tooth may have to be drilled and filled to prevent toothache, or even removed.

The very thought of drilling puts many people off going to see their dentist, whether or not they actually need treatment. This tendency to miss check-ups and ignore niggling aches and pains means that existing problems get worse and early signs of decay in other teeth are overlooked.

It’s a vicious cycle, but one that can be broken, according to researchers at the University of Leeds who have developed a revolutionary new way to treat the first signs of tooth decay. Their solution is to arm dentists with a peptide-based fluid that is literally painted onto the tooth’s surface. The peptide technology is based on knowledge of how the tooth forms in the first place and stimulates regeneration of the tooth defect.

“This may sound too good to be true, but we are essentially helping acid-damaged teeth to regenerate themselves. It is a totally natural non-surgical repair process and is entirely pain-free too,” said Professor Jennifer Kirkham, from the University of Leeds Dental Institute, who has led development of the new technique.

The ‘magic’ fluid was designed by researchers in the University of Leeds’ School of Chemistry, led by Dr Amalia Aggeli. It contains a peptide known as P 11-4 that - under certain conditions - will assemble together into fibres. In practice, this means that when applied to the tooth, the fluid seeps into the micro-pores caused by acid attack and then spontaneously forms a gel. This gel then provides a ’scaffold’ or framework that attracts calcium and regenerates the tooth’s mineral from within, providing a natural and pain-free repair.

The technique was recently taken out of the laboratory and tested on a small group of adults whose dentist had spotted the initial signs of tooth decay. The results from this small trial have shown that P 11-4 can indeed reverse the damage and regenerate the tooth tissue.

“The results of our tests so far are extremely promising,” said Professor Paul Brunton, who is overseeing the patient testing at the University of Leeds Dental Institute. “If these results can be repeated on a larger patient group, then I have no doubt whatsoever that in two to three years time this technique will be available for dentists to use in their daily practice.”

“The main reason that people don’t go to the dentist regularly is fear. If we can offer a treatment that is completely non-invasive, that doesn’t involve a mechanical drill, then we can change that perceived link between dental treatment and pain. This really is more than filling without drilling, this is a novel approach that enables the patients to keep their natural teeth!”

The study is being funded by credentis ag who have licensed the technology and are preparing to introduce P11-4 to dentists worldwide.

According to the study, published in April 2011, women are almost twice as likely to have received a regular dental check-up in the past year. In addition, women were more likely to schedule the recommended treatment following the dental check-up. Women in the study also had better indicators of periodontal health, including lower incidence of dental plaque, calculus and bleeding on probing; all of which can be used as markers of periodontal disease.

The study also suggested that women have a better understanding of what oral health entails, as well as a more positive attitude towards dental visits.

The study included over 800 participants between the ages of 18 and 19. Participants were asked to complete a written questionnaire concerning lifestyle, dental knowledge, dental attitude and oral health behaviors. In addition, the participants underwent an oral examination to assess for indicators of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and other structures supporting the teeth. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. In addition, previous research has associated gum disease with other chronic inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

“It is crucial that everyone - both men and women - strive to maintain periodontal health,” says Donald S. Clem, DDS, a periodontist in private practice in Fullerton, California and President of the American Academy of Periodontology. “With increasing research indicating that one’s periodontal health may be related to overall health, never has it been more important to ensure the health of your teeth and gums. You cannot be healthy unless you are periodontally healthy.”

Dr. Clem stressed the importance of routine oral care in helping to prevent periodontal disease. “Taking good care of your periodontal health involves daily tooth brushing and flossing. You should also expect to get a comprehensive periodontal evaluation every year,” he advised. A dental professional, such as a periodontist, a specialist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gum disease, can conduct a comprehensive exam to assess your periodontal disease status.

To assess your risk for periodontal disease or to learn more, visit perio.org.

Periodontal Health: Women vs. Men

• Women are 26 percent more likely than men to floss on a daily basis.
• 74 percent of women would be embarrassed by a missing tooth, a possible consequence of periodontal disease, compared to 57 percent of men.
• Women are almost twice as likely to notice missing teeth on another person than men.
• 44 percent of women are aware that periodontists can help contribute to overall good health, compared to 33 percent of men.

Study information:

Furuta, Michiko; Ekuni, Daisuke; Irie, Koichiro; Azuma, Tetsuji; Tomofuji, Takaaki; Ogura, Toshio; Morita, Manabu, 2011. Gender differences in gingivitis relate to interaction of oral health behaviors in young people. Journal of Periodontology 82 (4): 558-565.

Our next Info Sessions are::

Tuesday, August 23 - 5-7 pm - held at Access Point on Danforth and Victoria Park

Thursday, August 25 - 5-7 pm - held here at Oxford College

For more details, call us at 416-439-8668 or email info@oxfordedu.ca

In the marks released last month, Oxford College had 24 of its 27 students pass the exam - a rate of 89%. This exceeded the overall pass rate for the exam, which was 73%. Furthermore, Oxford had the second highest number of students who passed the exam among all educational institutions.

“We are really pleased with the effort by our students during this exam,” said Tilly Berg, Director of the Dental Hygiene program. “We have spent over 18 months teaching and working with these young men and women, and it is gratifying to see them now on their way to starting their careers as dental hygienists.”

The Dental Hygiene program also received more good news, after the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) completed its onsite review of the college. The Commission was positive and praised many aspects of the program. “They have a few recommendations and suggestions for us to carry out,” noted Mrs. Berg.

Faced with a twelve year wait to get into a dental hygiene school in Saskatchewan, Tammy Hanas decided to pack up and move to Toronto, where she attended Oxford College’s program. “I’m a city girl at heart,” says Tammy, so it wasn’t hard to adjust.”

Tammy graduated from Oxford in August 2010, and is now planning on practicing dental hygiene in Toronto for a few years before heading back west.

The 28 year old had four years of experience as a Dental Assistant, which helped Tammy cope with the demands of clinic, but it was the part of the program she loved the most, as it allowed her to interact with real patients and “get to focus on what you are here for.”

Tammy advises current students to “stay focused - especially with the points in clinic, but the end will come and you will graduate.”

Knowing that I was doing this for myself, husband, and children gave me the strength within to push through the program to successfully complete the dental hygiene course here at Oxford college. My experience here has been difficult, but it has made me a stronger person and confident in my English, dental knowledge, and clinical skills. When you put your mind to something nothing is impossible. I gave all my effort, dedication, time and hard work and it has really paid off so now I can see the result. I would like to say thank you to Oxford College and all the instructors for helping me to become the person I wanted to be when I entered the program.

Iliana will be graduating this spring from Oxford College

“I knew this was the right field for me,” said Heba in a recent visit back to Oxford College. Becoming a dental hygienist meant for her the “opportunity to be independent, work with your own patients.”

She entered the college after working three years as a dental assistant. The program was by no means a breeze - she had to repeat the third semester, but Heba never thought of leaving. In June 2009 she graduated from the program and became a dental hygienist.

Since then Heba has been working in the Toronto-area, using her Oxford training and dental connections to find work. She notes that at the beginning, new dental hygienists will probably only be able to find work on Saturdays or a couple nights a week. She also advises joining a temp agency or using Oxford College’s Career Centre to help find work.

The 23-year-old has also started managing a dental office in Toronto, which Heba believes is going to be good experience for starting her own practice. “It’s wrong to think that you are a dental hygienists and just do hygiene,” she advises.