Help Patients Improve Their Homecare With Waterpik™ Water Flosser

Many children know the shock of seeing a grandparent pop their dentures in or out of their mouth, but for Sue Scherer, RDH, BS, it was a pivotal moment. "I was 8 years old the first time my grandmother told me she was going to take her teeth out. I was in complete shock that she had removable teeth," Scherer exclaims. "She used that as an opportunity to talk with me about the importance of taking care of my own teeth so that I would never have to take them out at bedtime like she did."

Eight years later, Scherer had her first job as a chairside dental assistant. Today, after more than 20 years as a clinical hygienist, Scherer teaches other hygienists how to incorporate products such as the Waterpik^™ water flosser into their homecare instruction.

"Water flossing can benefit any patient," says Scherer, Education and Professional Relations Manager for Water Pik, Inc. "When I began recommending the Waterpik water flosser to my patients, the results were tremendous. Not only was I happy, but the patients were happy to have a homecare device that was easy to use and helping them achieve optimal oral health."

Noting that the company has over 60 years of engineering experience, Scherer points out the many benefits of a Waterpik water flosser. "It is the unique pulsation and pressure of the Waterpik that creates shear hydraulic forces capable of removing up to 99% of plaque bacteria. The Waterpik brand is backed by more than 80 research studies and is clinically proven to reduce gingival inflammation and bleeding in just 2 weeks," she states. "We currently offer a variety of water flosser models and clinically tested specialized tips to meet the needs of different patient lifestyles and oral health conditions."

A great way to start patients on a better homecare routine, Scherer adds, is with Waterpik's 14-Day Challenge via phone app. "The app begins with a ‘How to Water Floss' video and then sends the patient reminders to water floss to help them establish a daily routine. This video is also housed on Waterpik's YouTube channel," she says. "When I worked chairside, I had this video easily accessible on my computer. After I made my recommendation for the patient to get a Waterpik water flosser, I would play the how-to video for them when I left the room to ask the dentist for an exam."

Waterpik^™ Professional Educators are available to provide a Waterpik^™ Lunch & Learn, at which offices will receive a demo unit. Scherer suggests using the demo unit and a typodont to demonstrate proper water flossing technique to patients and how to correctly use the tip that would best meet their oral health needs.

Sue Scherer, RDH, BS
Education and Professional Relations Manager,
Water Pik, Inc.

Water Pik, Inc.
800-525-2020
waterpik.com