by Anne Miller | photo by Janis Jean Photography –
Did you hear the one about the dental hygienist talking to her patient?
Hygienist: “So, when was the last time you flossed?”
Patient: “Dude, you were there!”
Lisa Tilton is a dental hygienist with Seaside Dental in Sidney. She’s heard all the jokes, but our conversation was anything but funny. A chart on her wall – titled Conditions Linked to Periodontal Disease – piqued my interest. The first condition listed was Erectile Dysfunction. Really? She explained that gum disease, or inflamed/bleeding gums, may introduce bacteria throughout our bodies, causing chronic inflammation and resulting damage. Ample research shows that those with periodontal disease are 25 to 35% more likely to collect plaque in their arteries, which in turn reduces blood flow, thus, potential heart disease as well as erectile dysfunction.
An avid reader, Lisa consistently learns something new about the mouth-body connection. She directed me to lots of research indicating that an unhealthy mouth is strongly linked to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and more. Lisa is particularly concerned about the growing incidence of dementia, a condition that research tells us can be reduced with diligent oral care for our elders.
Regardless of age, Lisa maintains that oral health is important for everyone. She has been cleaning teeth for over 25 years and, while operating her own clinic in cottage country, Ontario, she learned of a need for dental care in Honduras. Horrified by the effects of cola, which led to many 20 year olds having no teeth, she assembled a dental team to visit Honduras and offer dental treatment. Over three years, the team built a dental clinic, offered treatment and trained local dentists in prevention.
That experience was an eye opener. Back home, Lisa had a brand-new perspective on dental care in Canada: how remarkable that many Canadians have dental benefits yet those who don’t must suffer the consequences. With that awareness, she teamed up with a local dentist and several volunteers to set up a free dental hygiene clinic for those without benefits. It still exists, highlighting the issue of equal access. Clearly, our Medicare system doesn’t recognize dental health nor its obvious link to total body health. Lisa says it’s critical that we make dental care accessible to everyone. It’s not simply a luxury, and building free clinics is not the answer.
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) seems to agree. They found that one out of six Canadians report they cannot attend to their dental needs for financial reasons. They therefore recommend action “to reduce the barriers to access to dental care based on the principles that oral health is an integral part of general health and, that all Canadians have the right to good oral health.” Lisa is passionate about equity in oral care and persuading our Medicare system to include dental needs in its definition of health care. “We’re known for being a great country with great medical care but this is a huge hole, leaving many people suffering for it.”
Lisa’s enthusiasm for her job is evident. She says her work is about more than making a pretty smile. She is in a unique position to detect any red flags that warn of a problem. Further, giving one-on-one attention to each client allows her to teach, something she finds rewarding, changing one perception at a time. Her message is clear: the mouth is a gateway to our body. Not only does regular dental care save people from preventable illness – it saves our health system considerable expense down the road.
She feels strongly that self-responsibility is key. “Do your very best at home to brush for two minutes twice a day; brush your tongue and floss at least once a day; and see us as often as possible to catch oral disease early on. Let’s work as a team.”
To dispel her high energy surrounding her exuberance for her work, Lisa thrives in her garden. “I just want to grow plants and eat them. I would love to grow plants that can help one’s body heal itself.” Meanwhile, she remains passionate about teeth.
