Brushing technique is essential for oral prophylaxis. Using wide, side-to-side brush strokes can do more harm than good, scraping the gingival line and roughening the enamel. Scrubbing the brush against the teeth is unnecessary; plaque is easily loosened by gentler motions. Moreover, fast movements often mean patients may be in a rush or want to get toothbrushing over with. Such an approach means that the teeth are not getting the full treatment, increasing the likelihood of leftover plaque.
Putting on a teaching cap
Patients presenting with poor oral health may be doing an inadequate job with toothbrushing. To solve this, dental professionals should impart both their theoretical knowledge on proper oral care and the practical skills needed to achieve the optimal hygiene results. However, many dental professionals and students may be unequipped to teach correct biofilm management. Enter Touch to Teach, an invaluable component of the Individually Trained Oral Prophylaxis (iTOP) programme from Curaden.
Designed to prevent oral disease and elevate hygiene standards to an academic discipline, iTOP provides hands-on instructions that ensure the correct techniques are learned and practiced. Built on the belief that no practical skill can be learned by reading a book, the programme is a must for all dental professionals, both recent graduates and experienced practitioners.
For a comprehensive learning experience, the Touch to Teach element is part of the two-day iTOP Advanced seminar. This deeper dive into oral hygiene techniques improves participants’ technical understanding of effective toothbrushing. Attendees are invited to apply what they learn on each other, with one acting as the dentist guiding the other, a ‘patient’, on how to correctly clean their teeth. If the patient succeeds, then the dentist has demonstrated that they have understood the iTOP content and are ready to incorporate their learning into the daily workflow.
Handle the tooth
When it comes to courses on oral hygiene techniques, Touch to Teach stands alone as a practical training option. For participants, be they university students or professionals, Touch to Teach increases confidence in the decision-making process. Its effectiveness lies in its fusion of science, evidence and practical inputs to create an unmissable educational experience.
Through this hands-on approach, dental professionals can better understand the difficulty for patients who may not be as motivated to maintain their oral hygiene as themselves. Communication is therefore a vital part of the process, both on an iTOP seminar and when helping patients. Touch to Teach participants will develop their active listening and storytelling skills whilst honing their confidence, adaptability and empathy when helping patients. This makes iTOP a multi-disciplinary educational opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. Through enhanced communication skills, dental professionals can then relay to patients all the ways they might be brushing incorrectly, why it’s incorrect, and what to do instead.
For those who have received an iTOP Advanced certificate but need an annual refresher, the Recall seminar provides participants with certification revalidation for another year. Focused on Touch to Teach practice and skill recalibrations, returning for the Recall level is essential; research and developments in oral hygiene and related products is always evolving and this refresher makes sure students and professionals are always armed with the latest information and the best practical techniques.
The iTOP programme challenges students and professionals to rethink what they know, shaking their knowledge before rebuilding it to act with greater confidence going forwards. By demonstrating correct brushing techniques, dental practitioners can encourage patients to take a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to looking after their oral health.
For more information visit www.curaprox.co.uk and www.curaden.co.uk