by Ann-Marie C. DePalma, RDH, MeD, FAADH
[email protected]
Imagine practicing clinical hygiene without the benefit of power scaling. It involves hours upon hours spent hand scaling and all the trauma and ineffectiveness of providing that type of treatment. But that is what many clinicians in the past have done.
Madalyn Rosenbluth, RDH, BS, has taken the historical narratives and beginnings of power scaling and provided participants with the latest in scientific research in her program, "Evolution of Ultrasonics in Dentistry: Infancy through Implants and Beyond."
She takes participants through a technical and clinical journey that includes an array of historical, scientific, and practical applications of power scaling while discussing the evolution of equipment and inserts.
Madalyn’s goals for any of her ultrasonic programs revolve around increasing clinicians’ knowledge of what lies beyond the handpiece. She discusses cavitational therapies and the role cavitation plays in debridement treatments for patients. Madalyn believes that participants will come away from the program more aware of the benefits of power scaling.
All dental team members, including the doctor, can benefit from understanding the importance of ultrasonic scaling. She feels that, by all team members participating in the program, they gain a deeper respect for the hygienist. They also learn the use of advanced clinical techniques while learning the proper care and feeling of the equipment. Her programs are presented in PowerPoint with a lecture, discussion, and question-and-answer session. She provides a handout with the time line of significant events in power scaling.
Madalyn became interested in ultrasonics through her patient, friend, and mentor, Tony Riso. She met Tony in the late 1970s when he moved to south Florida to start his ultrasonic business. He had been one of the pioneering engineers for Cavitron Corp.
Tony is the developer of the modified ultrasonic tips that we use today. This relationship, coupled with that of her other mentor, father-in-law, Morton Rosenbluth, DDS – a world renowned periodontist – excited her about the possibilities of power scaling.
Madalyn is a graduate of the Miami Dade College dental hygiene program with an associate degree in education and a bachelor of science degree in humanities from Florida International University. She began presenting continuing education programs while working for Tony and the Tony Riso Company until the sale of the company and his retirement in 1994.
Beyond dental hygiene, Madalyn’s passions include her husband, Hal, and family (Madalyn and Hal recently became grandparents), and visiting romantic and historical cities such as Jerusalem, Rome, Florence, Paris, and London.
If she were not a hygienist, her love of art and history would have inspired her to be a museum curator or medical illustrator. She is a member of ADHA, and is concerned about the continued moderation of the profession of dental hygiene by organized dentistry. She hopes that hygienists will one day have their "hands untied" to pursue the quest to become preventive oral health providers and educators.
She started MadUltrasonics to provide offices with the next generation of ultrasonic inserts and repair/service. Her company has grown to provide services for practices across the country, with the goal to provide oral health-care providers with the best in high-quality inserts, rebuilding/recycling, and education of ultrasonics available. Additionally she practices clinically in the office of Drs. Miller, Salomon, and Esposito in Hartsdale, N.Y.
Just like the Simon and Garfunkel song, "Still Crazy After All These Years," Madalyn is still crazy about dental hygiene and the power that ultrasonics can provide to patients and practitioners.
To learn more about Madalyn’s programs or MadUltrasonics, contact www.madultrasonics.com.
This month’s IneedCE course is "The Development and Utilization of Fluoride Varnish." RDH readers receive a 25% discount when using code VARN811. The goal of the course is to provide the reader with information on caries prevention and the use of fluoride varnishes. A review of the development of in-office fluorides, the anti-caries efficacy of topical fluorides, current recommendations for usage, and risk assessments is discussed.
Ann–Marie C. DePalma, RDH, MEd, FAADH, is a fellow of the American Academy of Dental Hygiene and a member of ADHA and other professional associations. Ann–Marie presents continuing–education programs for hygienists and dental team members and has written numerous articles on a variety of topics. She can be reached at [email protected].
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