Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Unfortunate Terminology: CBC.ca article - Will face masks protect you from the flu?

Here's an unfortunately worded article in regards to dentistry (Will face masks protect you from the flu?). While I have no issue with the premise and conclusions of the article with regards to the H1N1 flu, I wonder what this statement is doing in the article:

"Not all masks are created equally, either. Surgical masks — the kind your dental hygienist might use while inflicting a cleaning on you — offer some help, but they won't filter out smaller particles and don't provide a good seal."

Huh? Inflicting a cleaning on you? So much for preventive dental care. C'mon CBC you can do better!

Source: Will face masks protect you from the flu? April 28th, 2009. Read Sep 1, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/04/28/f-flumasks.html

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100