Fostering Smiles Dental Hygiene

Luxury without the added cost. ✨

Every client at Fostering Smiles receives a premium Curaprox 5460 toothbrush as part of their dental hygiene appointment.

Why do we love it?

Because brushing should feel less like scrubbing and more like gliding.

With 5,460 ultra-soft Curen® filaments packed into a compact brush head, the Curaprox 5460 is incredibly gentle on gums while delivering an exceptional clean.
The densely packed bristles create a soft, cloud-like brushing experience that reaches areas many traditional toothbrushes miss.

Soft. Effective. Comfortable.

The kind of toothbrush that makes you wonder why all toothbrushes aren’t made this way. 💙🪥

Luxury isn’t always about spending more.
Sometimes it’s about choosing better.

Katelyn’s June Availability | Fort St. John

Looking for a professional teeth cleaning in a calm, welcoming environment? Appointments are now available this June in Fort St. John.

🦷 Updated available dates & times:
Friday, June 26
• 9:10 AM
• 10:40 AM

Please note: appointment times may vary depending on the type of treatment booked.

Online booking is available anytime at www.fosteringsmiles.ca

A few new plants and a little refresh 🌿✨

We’re always trying to make the space feel calm, cozy, and welcoming from the moment you walk in 🦷🤍

Yesterday we talked about how we remove hardened plaque and soft debris from teeth. If you missed it, check out our previous post. Today we’re talking about polishing… and when it’s actually needed. ✨

So what is a polish?
Think of it a little like an electric toothbrush for your teeth, but stronger and done professionally. We use a small spinning rubber cup with a gritty toothpaste-like paste to smooth away surface stains and leftover soft buildup from the teeth. It leaves teeth feeling extra smooth and clean.

A polish is NOT what removes hardened tartar/calculus — that’s done with ultrasonic instruments and/or hand scaling first.

Who benefits from a polish?
✔️ Someone with heavy plaque buildup
✔️ Coffee, tea, to***co, or surface staining
✔️ Areas with leftover soft debris after scaling

Who may not need one?
❌ Someone with very little plaque or staining
❌ Teeth that are already clean and smooth after scaling
❌ Certain people with enamel concerns where polishing may not add any benefit

Fun fact: polishing is not always required at every appointment. In dental hygiene, we tailor treatment to what each person actually needs — not just doing things because “that’s how it’s always been done.” If you’re unsure whether you need a polish, always consult your dental hygienist.

We’ve had a few people ask lately what is in the picture below and what we use to clean teeth during our professional dental hygiene appointments. 🦷💦

It is called a Cavitron — an ultrasonic dental instrument we commonly use during professional teeth cleanings.

It uses high-frequency vibrations combined with water to gently remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the teeth and below the gumline. The vibrating tip helps break up hardened buildup more efficiently than hand instruments alone, while the water continuously flushes away debris and bacteria.

Many clients also find it more comfortable because less pressure is required than with traditional hand scaling.

Hand scaling is still an important part of dental hygiene care, especially for fine-detail work and certain areas that require a more precise touch. In most appointments, we use a combination of both techniques to provide the most thorough and comfortable cleaning possible.

Why we often use ultrasonic instruments like the Cavitron:

•More efficient removal of heavy tartar buildup

•Helps disrupt bacteria below the gums

•Water irrigation helps flush out debris

•Often gentler with less pressure

•Can make appointments more comfortable and effective

Do you prefer hand scaling or ultrasonic cleaning? Let us know below ⬇️

More than 6.5 million Canadians are now covered under the (CDCP), with more than 4 million already receiving the care they need.

CDCP members must renew their coverage each year to confirm that they still meet the plan’s eligibility requirements and avoid any disruptions in their CDCP coverage.

This year’s renewal period is from April 15 to June 1, 2026.

Renew your coverage: https://ow.ly/yVmR50YLffP

HOUSEKEEPING UPDATE💜

Two teeth cleaning appointments remain for April:

Friday April 15 with Katelyn:
8:50am – New client
10:20am – New client

🪥 Our in-house draw is back for 2026
Every 3 months, one lucky Fostering Smiles client can choose between an electric toothbrush or a $100 gift card to a local business. Our last winner chose a gift card… what would you choose?

🗓️ Our schedule is now open through July, making it a great time to pre-book your cleanings or plan ahead for whitening before upcoming events, vacations, or weddings.

🦷 We’ve also seen an increase in teeth whitening bookings. If you don’t see a time that works online, connect with us. We’re always happy to look at additional availability where we can.

📋 Lastly, evening appointments are currently booked until June, but we do have a waitlist available.
Message us or book online anytime at www.fosteringsmiles.ca

This week marks National Dental Hygiene Week—a reminder that oral health is an essential part of our overall well-being.

Something deeply important to me is having a space of my own to provide dental hygiene care. A space built with intention.

If you’ve been a client at Fostering Smiles, you’ve felt it—the difference, the passion, the care. This space was created to feel safe and welcoming. A place where you can ask the questions you’ve never felt comfortable asking, and take the time to receive answers and personalized recommendations that truly fit your needs.

Dental hygiene, done differently.
Because what happens at your appointment should support what happens at home.

And this week, I’m asking for something simple.

Tonight, take just 2–3 minutes at home: Talk with your kids about brushing and cleaning between their teeth. Remind them why it matters. Be mindful of how often we snack and how much sugar we’re consuming.

Small conversations like these shape lifelong habits.

If you have teeth—take a moment to be grateful for them. Smile a little bigger.
Wear purple on Friday to support your dental hygienist. Start a conversation with a coworker, friend, or family member about oral health.

And if it’s been a year—or even since before COVID—since your last professional cleaning, consider this your sign to book that appointment.

Here in Fort St. John, our local library also has free resources available this week, including books to borrow, bookmarks, puzzles, and a colouring contest with a chance to win a Walmart gift card—perfect for these snowy spring days.

Because oral health doesn’t start in the clinic.
It starts at home, in the small moments, with the people we care about most.

Dental hygienists are essential to healthcare, not just dentistry 💜

Dental Hygiene Canada

April 5 to 11th is National Dental Hygiene Week - on March 23 a group of local hygienists spoke to Council about the importance of oral hygiene. Visit www.brokentypewriter.ca for details.

Well, it’s official! The City of Fort St. John is recognizing National Dental Hygiene Week, April 4–10, 2026. Thank you to Mayor Hansen and City Councillors for this meaningful recognition.

This year’s National Dental Hygiene Week is a reminder that oral health is essential at every stage of life—from the first tooth to our later years. As dental hygienists, we’re passionate about creating healthy smiles, and more importantly, supporting overall health and well-being.

Thank you to the Fort St. John community, local leaders who champion preventative health care, and the residents who trust us with their care. 💙