An enthusiastic, patient-focused dental hygienist, Jackie Morin, RDH, has been practicing since 2003, having graduated with the clinical excellence award. Passionate about the oral systemic link, Jackie enjoys serving patients by preventing and treating oral disease, and helping individuals achieve and maintain optimal health. She is currently practicing at Gentle Dental in downtown Portland, OR. Jackie leads a life centered on the principals of encouragement, honesty, patience, and integrity.
Q: Why do you believe it is important to proactively diagnose periodontal disease?
A: I believe our mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. When we diagnose periodontal disease in its early stages, patients are less likely to lose teeth in the future. By treating the disease early, inflammation will be reduced in the rest of the body.
Q: How do you speak to your patients about periodontal disease?
A: I review the x-rays with the patient, showing them the bone loss and radiographic calculus. Then, I educate them on what the numbers mean when I perio chart. I get the patient involved in their oral health by asking a lot of questions about lifestyle, home care routine, and health history. I tell the patient that, based on my findings, you have an infection in your gums and we call that infection periodontal disease. Patients ask how we treat the infection in their gums, and we then begin to make a plan together.
Q: What obstacles do you face in getting patients to agree to treatment and how do you overcome them?
A: I educate and encourage my patients by saying a healthy mouth leads to a healthy body, and they are worth the investment spent, both in terms of time and money. I ask, “You don’t want to take your teeth out at night, do you?” They say, “No, I don’t,” and I say that we better get started with treatment right away—the sooner the better. I believe self-care is healthcare, and by implementing just a few steps on a daily basis for better oral health, they can also better their overall health.
Q: How do you incorporate the Perio Protect Method in your treatment protocols?
A: Perio Protect is the right approach for periodontal disease. Charles Whitney, MD, says, “Periodontal disease is a medical condition of the mouth that physicians cannot treat.” Instead of taking a pill, we eliminate the infection and inflammation at the source, right in the mouth. My patients with gingivitis are using Perio Protect to prevent periodontal disease in the future. My periodontal maintenance patients use Perio Protect in order to control their periodontal disease at home, and to prevent future perio therapy (SRP) and surgery. For my patients who experience fear, we will do Perio Protect first in order to dissolve the biofilm and make perio therapy more comfortable.