Addiction science for hygienists and others with Noel Kelsch

Cross Link Radio, health from the eye teeth on down. I’m here to help you understand some of the mysteries of health from the perspective of the oral health care provider, that’s me, Shirley Gutkowski. I’m a clinical dental hygienist. I’m in the prevention mode, helping you keep your health at its optimum by bringing a wide variety of guests with the information you want to know.

Methamphetamine use is very popular among all groups. Methamphetamine is taken orally, smoked, snorted, or dissolved in water or alcohol and injected. Smoking or injecting the drug delivers it very quickly to the brain, where it produces an immediate, intense euphoria. Because the pleasure also fades quickly, users often take repeated doses, in a “binge and crash” pattern.

What happens when the one using is your own child? What happens if your patient is a user? Our guest today, Noel Kelsch, knows the answers to both. Her clinical research on the impact of methamphetamine abuse on the oral cavity and treatment protocols have changed lives. Noel is a Past President of the California Dental Hygienist’s Association and she has some answers for us.

Tuesdays inflammation shows on Cross Link Radio are produced by Ann Hansen, RDH, BS.  If you have a topic you'd like to share, please contact Ann at annkind@hotmail.com