Summary
In this episode, Salme Lavigne, scientific editor of the
Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene (CJDH), interviews Ilena Yim,
lead author of two articles published in the June 2024 issue of the
journal (Volume 58, Number 2). Learn about Ilena’s quest to identify and
explain the controversies surrounding oral lichen planus and
lichenoid-dysplastic lesions, and how e-cadherin and beta-catenin are
involved in the malignant transformation of oral lesions.
Practical Implications for Dental Hygienists:
Article 1: Controversies regarding oral lichen planus and
lichenoid-dysplastic lesions
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Greater familiarity with the literature and controversies surrounding
the malignant potential of oral lichen planus and lesions with both
lichenoid and dysplastic features can help raise awareness of such
lesions.
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Understanding the malignant potential of oral lichen planus and lesions
with both lichenoid and dysplastic features highlights the importance of
monitoring and following-up such lesions for prevention and early
detection of oral malignancy.
Article 2: Biomarkers of epithelial–mesenchymal transition: E-cadherin
and beta-catenin in malignant transformation of oral lesions
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Understanding the complex biological mechanism, epithelial–mesenchymal
transition (EMT), and its relationship to oral cancer and potentially
oral epithelial dysplasia is important for oral health professionals.
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Understanding the role of the molecular markers of EMT, specifically
E-cadherin and beta-catenin, in oral malignant progression may improve
the accuracy of lesion risk assessment.
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Future research on EMT and oral dysplasia should be undertaken to guide
lesion risk assessment and clinical management
Also, browse past
issues of CJDH for research on similar topics. Individual journal articles
can be easily viewed, downloaded, and printed from
cjdh.ca.
CDHA members who wish to receive a certificate of completion for this
learning activity should click the Access Now button and
complete the curriculum. After responding to a feedback survey, your
certificate will be available in your online CDHA profile.
Learning Outcomes
Following the learning activity, participants will be able to:
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Identify areas of their dental hygiene practice requiring improvement
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Use knowledge sources to inform dental hygiene practice and enhance
service provision
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Reflect on challenges of applying new scientific research to practice
Format for Learning
The recorded interview is available in English with French closed
captioning. The research articles are available in English.
The interview is approximately 15 minutes in length; access to the
accompanying research articles is provided along with a set of
self-reflection questions. The learning is self-directed, and the
articles can be downloaded and printed. The self-reflection questions
must be completed prior to receiving a certificate of completion. It is
expected that viewing the recording, reading the articles, and answering
the questions will take you at least 2 hours.
A certificate of completion will be provided. After watching the video,
reading the articles, answering the questions, and responding to a
feedback survey, you can access a certificate of completion from your
online CDHA profile.
Speakers
Ilena Yim, BDSc, MSc, DHP(C)
Ilena Yim obtained her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the
University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2020. She completed her
master’s degree in craniofacial science in 2023 and is now a PhD
student in the Faculty of Dentistry at UBC and BC Cancer Research
Institute. Ilena’s doctoral research, funded in part by the Canadian
Foundation for Dental Hygiene Research and Education, is focusing on
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of oral cancer
in British Columbia
Salme Lavigne, PhD, RDH
Salme Lavigne was appointed scientific editor of the
Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, effective December 1,
2015. She holds a diploma in dental hygiene from the University of
Toronto, a bachelor’s degree in biomedical anthropology from
Lakehead University, a master’s degree in dental hygiene education
from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a doctorate in
community health sciences from the University of Manitoba. Salme was
the founding director of the dental hygiene program at Confederation
College, Thunder Bay, and served as director of the School of Dental
Hygiene, University of Manitoba, for 13 years where she developed
and initiated the first BScDH program at that institution. An
internationally recognized researcher and educator, Salme has
received Alumni of Distinction awards from the University of Toronto
and the UMKC School of Dentistry, and a Life Membership Award from
the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association.