Two Hundred dental hygienists from 39 states visited Capitol Hill last week delivering a unified message: "Put Teeth in Health Reform."  Dental Care remains the most common health-care need of children in the United States. Tooth decay is five times as likely to be found in children as is asthma, which like most common illnesses, is covered by health insurance. At least 26 million children lack dental coverage and more than twice as many lack medical insurance, according to federal health statistics. The dental workforce is prepared to care for the children utilizing dental hygienists.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062201658.html?sid=ST2009062201875

 

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Researchers have found that periodontitis-causing P. gingivalis bacteria can trigger a pathway that causes reactivation of latent HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. P. gingivalis is among the most widely existent bacteria worldwide. Findings were presented April 3 in Miami at a meeting of the International & American Association for Dental Research.
The results suggest that periodontal disease might contribute to the systemic dissemination of HIV and emphasize the essential role of maintaining oral hygiene and controlling oral diseases to help prevent AIDS, according to background information in a news release from the association.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has additional information about HIV/AIDS

Up to 80 Percent of Americans are Magnesium-Deficient

There is no lab test that will give an accurate read of the magnesium status in the tissues; Only one percent of magnesium in the body is distributed in the blood, making it highly inaccurate to measure.  Science finds magnesium difficult to measure, partly because it is responsiblie for the correct metabilic function of over 350 enzymes in the body.Creation of ATP (adenosine triphospate) the energy molecules of the body, action of the heart muscle ,formation of bones and teeth, relaxation of blood vessels, and proper bowel function are all under the guidance of magnesium.

Magnesium supplements may help alleviate the conditions:

Anxiety and panic attacks, asthma, blood clots, bowel disease, cystitis, depression, detoxification, diabetes, Syndrome X, metaboilc syndrome, fatigue, heart disease, hypertension, hypoglycemia, insomia, kidney disease, liver disease, migrane, musuloskeletal conditions, nerve problems, obstetrics and gynecologoy,...

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Most workers do show up for work, though not always on time. CareerBuilder.com released a list of the most unusual excuses for tardiness based on a survey of 2,757 hiring managers and human resource professionals. They include:

   1. While rowing across the river to work, I got lost in the fog.
   2. Someone stole all my daffodils.
   3. I had to go audition for American Idol.
   4. My ex-husband stole my car, so I couldn't drive to work.
   5. My route to work was shut down by a Presidential motorcade.
   6. I wasn't thinking and accidentally went to my old job.
   7. I was indicted for securities fraud this morning.
   8. The line was too long at Starbucks.
   9. I was trying to get my gun back from the police.
  10. I didn't have money for gas because all of the pawn shops were closed.

What are dues to professional organizations used towards? Does my membership really make a difference in what my organization can accomplish? I may seem biased as the president of the Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association, but from looking inside out, I can tell you that your membership directly protects your profession by making it possible to pay lobbyists, lawyers, conduct research and advance your profession. Numbers speak volumes. When your organization speaks on behalf of your profession to legislators and your lobbyist tells the legislator “we have 75% membership of all dental assistants nationally” vs. “we have 30% membership”. What this means is that your association when speaking with legislators can say that they are truly speaking on behalf of your organization as a whole and your voice as a member carries more weight. Consider becoming a member of your organization to support issues that protect and advance your scope of practice as a professional.

American Dental Association  ...

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