Heart of Health: Making smiles shine in and around Northern Zone

Managing molars, enhancing enamel, or protecting kid’s pearly whites from plaque should get more word of mouth. That suggestion comes from Public Health dental hygienist Tanya Lewis Bowers, who quips,  

“I’ll bet you didn’t know we even existed.”  

Tanya spent over 23 years in private practice in Colchester, Pictou and Halifax counties before joining Nova Scotia Public Health nine years ago. She's part of a team that brings dental professionalism to the northern part of the province, caring for students in Colchester and East Hants, Cumberland and Pictou counties.

Schools are one of the key places where Public Health partners to strengthen oral health outcomes and promote policies and programs. Public Health offers a fluoride varnish program in schools administered by dental hygienists, like Tanya.

The program provides kids with access to fluoride which improves oral health.

“As a group, we travel to elementary schools and we see students from preprimary to grade 6; these are the years that a child is most vulnerable to tooth decay,” Tanya explains.

“We provide two applications of fluoride varnish during the school year. It is an extra layer of protection to help prevent tooth decay. Children can safely receive up to six applications of fluoride varnish per year. The fluoride varnish program is not meant to take the place of fluoride treatment in a dental office.”

Tanya and the Public Health dental hygienists are mobile, rather than in a dental office, and each hygienist can sometimes see more than 30 students a day depending on school size and the number of students participating.  

“We all travel with our own wagon” she says with a laugh. “We carry a bin full of supplies including the fluoride varnish, head light and a collapsible dental stool.”

“We always communicate ahead of time with the principals and administration to work out the logistics as to how the program will be delivered. Every school is unique, and we want the program to run smoothly for everyone. Preparation is key.”

“A visual observation is done prior to fluoride varnish application. Any obvious areas of concern are noted and sent to parents or guardians in a take-home form. Those needing urgent care are followed up with a phone call, email or another letter. We recommend those students visit a dentist. Oral health care can be intimidating, and it’s not always easy to get dental appointments. We try our best to help anyone who needs extra support.”

It was that ability to have a connection to people that initially brought Tanya into healthcare, and the potential to do wider community good is what keeps her in Public Health.

“In Public Health, it’s about advocacy and the greater good of the population and that’s what inspires me; working in the community.” she adds.

“I enjoy meeting the children and their families and I love educating them about oral health. Being a support to those who need it makes my day.”

It’s the wins that keep Tanya going.

“I may see a child who previously had dental needs and now has their dental treatment completed or I may receive an email from a parent who wants to thank me and tell me that their child saw a dentist and is referred to the IWK for treatment.” she says.

“I may be walking down a school hallway and get tapped on the shoulder by a student to show me their teeth and tell me that they brushed that morning before school. That’s a win for me.”

Tanya values working with and supporting vulnerable populations. She says it adds significant meaning to her career in healthcare.  

“Public Health works to improve health outcomes for populations and communities and I feel that is exactly what I get to do every day.” 

Photo of dental hygienist Tanya Lewis Bowers.