Not because the state of my gums was as dire as that of the world. Quite the contrary, I was praised for my attention to inter-dental brushing and flossing.
Do we always tell the truth about our flossing? I can’t say too much.
Really, I wonder why hygienists bother to ask.
They must know we are being economical with the facts when they are confronted with the ugly truth of the state of our gums and teeth.
Am I the only person who flosses with the required regularity and gusto in that couple of frenzied weeks before my appointment?
My disappointment arose from not being asked if I would like a side of Botox and dermal fillers with the plaque removal and teeth cleaning.
Heaven knows, there are many crinkly crevasses on my countenance crying out for attention.
The hygienist was slightly surprised I knew the scope of practice for both hygienists and dental therapists was extended recently by the Dental Council of New Zealand to allow them to inject Botox (Botulinum toxin type A) and dermal fillers into faces.
This move was made in response to a request from Te Ohu Pūniho Ora o Aotearoa — New Zealand Oral Health Association.
While I understand Botox can have therapeutic applications, this did not seem to be the focus of this request.
On its website the council says on balance it considered the risk of this, including permanent or irreversible damage, was low. Dentists, oral health therapists and hygienists were well equipped with the foundation knowledge of the orofacial complex and associated structures, and skills to enable them to perform these procedures following additional education and training.
It also said while the council acknowledged the growing demand for cosmetic treatments, it considered that, ideally, oral health practitioners should primarily focus on the provision of oral healthcare, to contribute towards improved health outcomes and equity for the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Quite. This move is not a good look for the dental sector. So why?
Are there not already enough other practitioners carrying out these unnecessary treatments for people with more vanity and money than sense?
There has been a minor outcry about the new scope from some in the beauty industry who are questioning the adequacy of training requirements for the hygienists and therapists.
A silly sideshow when we have known for years the country is awash with unmet dental care needs for people of all ages.
Even though basic dental care is free for children up to the age of 18, many do not access it, and the move to more mobile dental clinics has not had the impact hoped for.
As well as that, dentists have not been risking damaging their porcelain veneers champing at the bit to offer services to adolescents. Many consider the government funding for this makes it uneconomic. In some parts of the country, it has been difficult for teenagers to see a dentist in their area.
This election, the Green Party has a bold policy to extend basic dental care to all ages, controversially funded by a wealth tax, and delivered through a new community-based dental service.
Labour proposes increasing coverage from 18 years to 30 by mid-2026. It says it is part of a long-term goal for free dental care for all, but how it plans to achieve that goal is less clear.
The National Party has not yet revealed its dental policy.
A radical shake-up of oral health services for adults is long overdue, but would any future government offer the sort of conditions and money to make public dentistry attractive enough to boost the workforce as needed?
And how easy will it be to instil the habit of regular dental checks in the over-18s if they have had little oral healthcare experience before they turned 18?
On the prevention front, Labour has empowered the director-general of health to decide whether community drinking water supplies should be fluoridated, but it has repeatedly steered clear of a tax on sugary drinks.
In this term it has not even managed to bring in requirements for schools to provide only unflavoured water and milk, despite consultation on this last year.
Its policy this election says it will place a duty for all schools to provide only such healthy drinks, but gutlessly it has said this will not apply to drinks brought to school from home for a pupil’s consumption (although school communities could go further if they wished).
By the time there is any effective reform of our oral health services, I reckon my crow’s feet and frown lines will resemble a network of Grand Canyons.
It’s a pity my hygienist doesn’t do dermal fillers.
- Elspeth McLean is a Dunedin writer
