King of the Jungle Rescued from Royal Pain

A lion with a tooth ache was no scary situation for Jameson¹s own Dr. Shannon Griffin.

³When I first got the call from the Oklahoma City Zoo, I was so excited. However, when I actually met the lion, excitement went to a whole new level for a moment. Then, it was all business. Looking in his mouth, I knew just what to do and was glad to relieve him of his problem,² said Dr. Griffin.

In addition to coaching Jameson clients, she also practices in Edmond, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City. Dr. Griffin is also a part time clinical instructor for the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology for the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry; a regular guest lecturer at the Tufts University School of Dental medicine; and a devoted wife and mother of two.

Dr. Griffin studied dentistry at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston and continued her advanced education in general dentistry residency at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. During her time at the University of Oklahoma, she was awarded the opportunity to advance her education in implants where she met John and Cathy Jameson.

Dr. Griffin joined Dr. Jameson¹s dental practice in Wynnewood as an associate. She then elected to pursue her own practice and much later, in 2003, Dr. Griffin began coordinating Jameson¹s Launch program which is designed to offer Jameson¹s invaluable business and clinical coaching to doctors starting new practices. She was uniquely qualified due to her personal background in building her own practice and long-time exposure and implementation of the Jameson method.

³Interestingly enough, when I worked with Dr. John, I was able to learn about his work with zoo animals. I have always been so intrigued with such stories, so it is a thrill to have done it myself now,² said Dr. Griffin.

A native New Mexican who currently makes her home in Oklahoma, Dr. Griffin often comments on choosing a career as a dentist for the flexibility such a pursuit offers. She believes any dentist can have the type of practice they desire and she knows her teaching of the Jameson method can lead you to reach those goals.

³We¹re very proud of Shannon. She caught Cathy¹s attention at a lecture years ago by showing initiative and we¹re so glad that connection was made. She¹s incredibly smart, a great dentist, and a true testament to how fulfilling dentistry can be, even in the midst of such a busy life,² said Dr. John H. Jameson.



Top 10 Things to Know About Your Dental Hygienist

These days, a visit with your dental hygienist may result in more benefits than just cleaner teeth and healthier gums -- you might even decide to stop smoking, improve your nutrition or check to see if you might be at risk for diabetes.

"Most people simply don't realize just how educated and skilled their dental hygienists are," said Susan McLearan, president of the California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA). "The profession has evolved to the point where we actually can save lives."

In keeping with its mission to raise public awareness about dental health and to promote the value of seeing a dental hygienist, the association has issued the following list of the Top Ten Things Californians Should Know About Their Dental Hygienists.

"The list is intended to show how dental hygienists play such an integral role in overall public health -- in many different ways and on many different levels."

That role is reflected in the following facts about Registered Dental
Hygienists (RDH):

1. Highly Educated Professionals -- The minimum level of education for licensure is equivalent to a four-year degree with two years specializing in dental hygiene.

2. Committed to Expanding Access to Care -- Specially licensed hygienists can go into underserved communities and provide dental hygiene services to some of the millions of Californians who would otherwise have no access to dental care.

3. Screen for Oral Cancer -- Dental hygienists possess the skills to be the first health professional to identify potential signs of oral cancer and refer a patient to a physician.

4. Promote Healthy Nutrition -- Dental hygienists can tell if a patient is eating poorly or is malnourished; they can then offer helpful advice and information.

5. Spot Signs of Eating Disorders -- Also related to nutritional issues, eating disorders can also be recognized in the mouth during a check up.

6. Recognize Signs of Diabetes -- Dental hygienists can alert patients that they might be in danger from diabetes, and refer them to seek confirmation from a medical doctor.

7. Promote Smoking Cessation -- When examining patients who smoke tobacco, dental hygienists often will counsel them to quit and provide resources and information about steps they can take to stop smoking.

8. Prevent Gum and Periodontal Disease -- By cleaning and examining teeth and gums, dental hygienists play a major role in preventing common oral diseases.

9. Understand the Link Between Oral Health and Emotional Health in Children -- Dental hygienists are passionate about promoting good oral health among children, who can often suffer speech impediments, social ridicule, diminished self esteem and other problems related to poor oral health.

10. Represented by CDHA, the Official Voice of Dental Hygiene -- Since CDHA was established 20 years ago, dental hygienists have been making continuous strides toward becoming the skilled, autonomous and essential public health professionals that they are today.

Furthermore, dental hygienists are qualified to detect a wide range of other life-threatening conditions, including high blood pressure and HIV.

"The items on our list really underscore that the mouth is a window into a person's comprehensive health," said CDHA's McLearan. "And because the average person sees a hygienist more often than a physician, it is especially important for people to understand the many facets and benefits of the dental hygiene profession."

The California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA) is the authoritative voice of the state's dental hygiene profession. While registered dental hygienists have worked in the state for nearly a century, CDHA was established 20 years ago when two regional associations merged to form a unified professional group. CDHA represents thousands of dental hygienists throughout the state and is dedicated to expanding opportunities for the
profession and access to care for all Californians.

Source: California Dental Hygienists' Association

Proposed Dentistry Rules Prompt Concern

Last Update: Feb 19, 2007 10:09 AM

(TULSA, Okla.)  February 19 - Some mobile dentists are concerned about some new rules being considered by the state Board of Dentistry.

Opponents of the new rules say they threaten dental care for nursing home patients and the disabled.

The proposed rules apply to any self-contained dental facility, like a recreational vehicle. They also apply to cases in which dentists bring equipment to nursing homes, schools and patients' homes.

The board president says the board wants to protect the public from unscrupulous mobile dentists and will work to address concerns about the proposed rules.

Those involved in mobile dentistry are most concerned about a provision that required dentists to contract with a local dentist in each area for follow-up care.

Officials with the board say they may re-examine some of the rules before they're considered on Friday.

http://www.fox23.com/news/state/story.aspx?content_id=54d98866-7728-4b1e-adfc-60ed2c05dda7