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Volume1 Issue3
I
ssues and
P
eople
That experiencewas a turningpoint
inBetty’s career. “During the timewe
wereworking toward this, it became
veryclear tomehow important
andhelpful it is tocollaboratewith
other provinces,” sheexplains. “That’s
why I became theNewBrunswick
representative toCDAA.” Shewould
later become thenational association’s
president, aposition sheheld from
1990 to1994.
Duringher 25-year career as adental
assistant, BettyworkedwithDr. Don
Hatheway, anorthodontistwhowas
eventually joined inpracticebyhis son
Bob. “TheHatheways’ involvement
inorganizeddentistry—bothwith
theNewBrunswickDental Society
andCDA—wasundeniablya strong
motivator forme toalsoget involved,”
Betty remembers.
Apassion for learning
“Whenworkingwith theHatheways, I
had theoccasioneveryyear toattend
conferences acrossCanadaand the
UnitedStates. Suchopportunities
just feedyour desire to knowmore
and learnmore,” she says. After Bob
joinedhis father inpractice, Betty
decided toachieveacertificate in
businessmanagement tohelp the
transition froma solely-owned toa
multi-dentist practice. Sheenjoyed it so
much shewould insteadcompletean
undergraduatedegree inbusiness.
Afterworkingwith theCollegeofNorth
Atlantic toestablishadental assisting
program inQatar and teaching there
for a fewyears, Bettycameback to
Canada. She thenhad theopportunity
todoamaster’sdegree inapplied
health research. Her thesis focused
on themanagement of xerostomia in
older adults,withDrs.MaryMcNally
andDeborahMatthewsofDalhousie
Universityas advisors. “Theywere
wonderful advisors, I couldn’t have
asked for bettermentors.”
Anewcalling
Bettydidn’t forget about her years as a
dental assistantwhen she later became
theadministrator of anursinghome in
rural NewBrunswick. On thecontrary.
Early inher days atOrchardView she
faced themanybarriers toaccessing
oral healthcare for individuals living in
long-termcare (LTC) facilities. Again,
Bettydecided tochange things. “With
support andgenerous contributions
fromDrs. DonandBobHatheway,we
createdanon-sitehygieneclinicat the
nursinghome. Bobdonatedadental
chair anddental unit and someof the
initial equipmentweneeded, and Jess
Dunphy, adental hygienist, helpedus
initiate theproject,” sheexplains. “Our
goalwas toprovideon-sitehygiene
andcleanings, and to refer out for any
dental requirementsour residents
had,” saysBetty. OrchardViewnow
works closelywitha local dental clinic
andensures transportation for in-
officeappointments.
During the timedental hygienistsdid
not have theauthority to self-initiate
inNewBrunswick, Donwouldcome
toOrchardViewwith Jess, do the
examinations and supervise theclinic,
allowing thenursinghome to launch
andmaintain itsdental program.
Thekeys to success
What exactlyare theelements
required to set upadental clinic ina
nursinghome? “I think support from
the local dental community isoneof
theabsolute keys to settingup such
program,” Betty says. “I also think that
within the facility, youneed tohave
advocates for oral health. Your front
line staffneeds tobeengagedandon
board.”
Bettyencouragesdentists sympathetic
to thecause tocontact local nursing
homes. “Make that connectionand
open that door.Workwith them.”
The sameapplies toLTC facility
administratorswhowant toestablish
suchprograms. “Reachout to the
dental community. Speakwithdentists.
Seewhat canbedoneon-siteand
what thedental community is ableand
willing todo,” she suggests.
Betty stronglybelieves thoseworking
inLTC facilitiesneed tobeencouraged,
trainedand supported. Employees at
OrchardViewhaveaccess toeducation
tools, includingvideos createdby
Drs.McNallyandMatthews, and
adapted tools suchas electric tooth
brushes are readilyavailable. “You
reallyhave toworkwithyour front line
people.Without them, it’s impossible.”
Her legacy
Whenaskedwhat shehopes tobe
remembered for, Bettypausesbefore
humbly responding “That I did, in
some smallway, help toprovidea
bridgebetween thedental andLTC
communities. And that I did trulycare
about peopleandabout theneedsof
residents innursinghomes.”Mission
accomplished, Betty.
a
GenevièveC.Gagnon
isCDAwriter/
editor.
Dr.BobHatheway
Dr.DonHatheway
I think supportfrom the
local dental community is
one of the absolute keys to
settingup such program.
–BettyDaniels
