In early 2014, Kim Nguyen and I had a pleasant opportunity to visit Jim Pattison Maternity Clinic and present topics about oral caries and infections in front of doctors, gynecologists, and registered nurses. The topics were chosen because oral carries and infections were prevalent among pregnant women going to the maternity clinic. The presentation provided

Carious lesions show on 24 and 25 buccal cusps for a pregnant mother at Jim Pattison Maternity Clinic

brief knowledge regarding the etiologies of the oral caries and infections and presented intra-oral photos and x-rays taken from the pregnant women and other clients at UBC dental clinic. After the brief presentation, we provided set of questions that RNs could ask the women such as “do you have any discomfit or pain in your mouth?” to probe oral health status and information regarding Pacific Oral Health Care to refer women who are suffering from caries and oral infections. The nurses were very pleased with the presentation as they said that they learned information that they have not been introduced before, and that they feel more confident to refer their clients to dental clinics. This session helped to merge different professions (medical, nursing, and dental hygiene) and encouraged an integrated care for pregnant women. This was a great opportunity to present scope of knowledge, practices, and skills of dental hygiene in front of other healthcare professionals.