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What is the CO₂llaborative Approach?

Our approach includes an interdisciplinary method of care. Our team collaborates with Craniosacral Therapists, Physiotherapists, Orthodontists, Chiropractors, Physicians, Massage Therapists, Nutritionist, Speech Language Pathologists, Lactation Consultants, as well as other health care providers to establish a treatmentment plan based on diagnosis from each of our areas of expertise. Our goal is to promote the natural development potential of healthy human form.

What is Myofunctional Care?

Myofunctional Care is a team approach to improving overall body wellness. Following thorough diagnosis of breathing and body conditions, we begin to establish a healthy airway. We may recommend body work and muscle training, in conjunction with medical and dental procedures to idealize oral, facial structural growth, and physiologic function. Myofunctional Treatment alone will have limited benefit. The adoption and maintenance of new personal habits to improve breathing, speaking, eating, sleeping, and overall physical and mental health are the patient’s responsibility in Myofunctional Care. Learn more ⟫

What are the Signs of Myofunctional Imbalance(s)?

From babies to adults, myofunctional disorders can have significant impact on functional, structural, behavioural alignment, and overall wellness. Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) have multiple causes and may be related to Tethered Oral Tissues (TOT). If left untreated, symptoms related to these conditions will present throughout life. While each situation is unique, TOT and OMDs can contribute to any of the following:

• Difficulties breastfeeding,

What Services are Offered at CO₂llaborative Care + Research?

CO₂llaborative Care + Research offers Myofunctional consultations, examinations, and treatment, as well as comprehensive dental rehabilitation care once airway diagnosis has been integrated with individualized treatment plans. Services can include:

• In-Depth Consultation and Diagnosis

What is the Role of Research at CO₂llaborative Care + Research?

By nature, Dr. Pada and her team are curious and are guided by scientific methodologies of care and wellness. Dr. Hilary Pada and her team endorse the importance of Evidence Based Practice. We are fortunate to be actively working with The Pakpour Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiome Research at UBC Okanagan, as well as Dr. Pada’s role as Principal Investigator at the BC Cancer Agency in Kelowna. Learn more about our role in research ⟫

Can I Have My General Dentistry Done Here?

No. However, we will work with your dentist, physician, and other health care providers to benefit you the best we can. Certain dental services may be provided in some cases once healthy airway and myofunctional care needs have been met.

What is a CBCT and Why Do I Need It?

What is a CBCT? A CBCT is a three-dimensional radiograph. CBCT stands for “Cone Beam Computed Tomography”. A CBCT scan allows us to see your entire airway and resting tongue posture. What is the Purpose of a CBCT? As part of our data collection for diagnosis, we will refer you to Springfield Dental to have a minimal exposure head and neck scan (CBCT) taken. This low-dose Head and Neck scan will need to be completed one week before your appointment date. Radiation Exposure Radiation exposure from CBCT is up to 10 times less than that incurred from medical CT scanning. CBCT scanning will involve exposing you to a small amount of ionizing radiation. And average radiation dose for a CBCT on our test machine, the PaX-i 3D Green Vatech is 11-133 μSv (microsieverts). For comparison, daily background radiation that is received from the environment in the United States is estimated at 8.2 μSv (NCRP 2003). This means that the radiation received from average CBCT is similar to being alive in the United states for 2-17 days, depending on the dimensions and resolution of the scan. We are using the “Green” setting which allows the lowest dosage of radiation, without sacrificing image quality. Overall, the risk of harm from this dose of radiation is so small that it is not reliably measured.

Alternative Lightwire Functionals (ALF)

The ALF appliance is a biomimetic (nature-mimicking) thin wire appliance that is placed passively in the mouth – mostly along the inside of the teeth. It increases cranial motion, helps free locked-up cranial bones, and helps to unwind cranial strains amongst the 22 bones of the skull. This appliance is delivered in our clinic with the care of a dentist, dental assistant, and Craniosacral Therapist. You may be recommended one or two appliances based on your presentation. It is not glued in the mouth; however, it is held in with small bondings on teeth to allow the wire to stay in place along the edge of the teeth where they meet the gums. It is adjusted approximately every 4 weeks and is used in combination with Myofunctional Therapy, diligent sleep, and dental hygiene. It stays in the mouth even for eating, and special care to tooth cleaning is needed while the ALF is worn. We may recommend using the airflow to clean your teeth while we have the ALF removed for adjustment. The ALF is:

• Flexible, not rigid,

• Minimally intrusive on oral cavity and other oral structures,

• Capable of freeing up restrictions between cranial bones,

• Not a mechanical device to move teeth,

• A supportive device during the process of restoring natural balance in the body,

• Calming on Central and Autonomic Nervous System,

• Biomimetic – mimicing the force of the tongue in a mature teeth-together swallowing reflex,

• Able to maintain and support forces that are within the physiologic range of the human body,

• Individually designed and may have modification to open the bite and bring the lower jaw forward, and
  
• Founded in knowledge, requiring training in design, placement, and monitoring of this non-mechanical approach to help facilitate the body’s possibilities not dictating the courses of treatment.

"... to flourish in the parts of myself that can stay aligned with life, and to move to where life is reinventing and encouraging us." Joanna Macy, Ecophilospher and Scholar of Buddism

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What is Hu-Friedy Airflow?

Air polishing is a procedure which uses air & water pressure to deliver a controlled stream of specially processed powders in a slurry through the handpiece nozzle. Fine particles of powders are propelled by compressed air in a warm spray and directed onto the surfaces of the teeth. This pressurized jet of air, water and powder removes surface stains, plaque and other soft deposits such as food particles trapped in between the teeth. Interested in learning more? Watch this video!

Can I Accompany My Child to Their Appointment?

Due COVID-19 protocols set in place by Interior Health and the Government of British Columbia, as well as the high standards we choose to adhere to, we can only allow you to accompany your child under certain circumstances. This includes age and cognitive and/or emotional abilities. Nonetheless, our team works diligently to reassure, explain our procedures and practices, and to make sure our patients are comfortable. Having your child understand that you are right outside waiting or supporting them from afar makes the process even easier. The most important part of preparation for the visit is you allowing them to trust us to care for them in your absence. If you have more questions, please contact our team prior to your appointment.

Oral DNA Testing

OralDNA Labs® is a specialty diagnostics company designed to provide reliable, definitive and cost effective clinical tests to reveal a patient's oral microbiome. It is a simple swish and spit test, which is then sent away to a pathology lab in Ontario for results. We will work with you on balancing your microbiome to health if your results show elevated levels of risky pathogens.

VELscope® Cancer Screenings

VELscope® Cancer Screenings Our team uses VELscope® to help detect oral cancer and oral mucosal disease in their earliest stages. As an adjunct to our soft tissue palpation (feeling with hands) and white light visual exam, we may use two additional tissue test methods. VELscope® autofluorescence imaging is used to help assess soft tissues of the mouth for signs of disease or cellular changes associated with oral cancer. Dr. Pada has been a consultant at BCCancer for over 20 years and was part of the research team that developed this soft-tissue screening technology. This oral soft tissue examination is simple, painless, and takes less than two minutes to complete. Photos will be taken if there are findings Dr. Pada would like to share with you. We also use a superficial tissue stain that has been used to aid in oral cancer detection for many decades. Following a clinical protocol of placement and rinsing of the stain, the tissues will hold purple in areas suspicious of cancerous origin. If Dr. Pada feels that it is beneficial to take a sample of your tissues for a possible cancerous growth, we will ensure we provide you with an estimate of care, as well as information regarding your choices and reported results with you, your primary dentist and physician. How does the VELscope® work? The healthy soft tissue of the mouth naturally absorbs the VELscope® frequency of blue light. Healthy areas of soft tissue show up green, and the problem areas become darker. With over 20 years of interpretation of autofluroescence imaging, Dr. Pada is recognized as the most skilled and experienced VELscope® practitioner in the Interior of BC.

What is the Financial Policy?

CO₂llaborative Care + Research is a fee-for-service clinic. Payment is due at the time consultation and/or treatment is provided. We accept cash, debit, and Mastercard and Visa. We are now able to offer direct billing to your insurance company for covered procedures. We will request a credit card on file for any portion of the fees not covered by your plan. In the case that you have provided our team with your insurance information, we can submit to your insurance for an Estimate of Benefits prior to treatment. This will indicate the services and costs covered by your insurance prior to your appointment.

What are the Fees for Myofunctional Care?

Here, your diagnosis and care needs will determine the cost of treatment. Our approach of individualized patient care means that costs will vary. It is expected that we will recomended care beyond our clinic with other healthcare providers. Therefore, our team will provide you with estimates prior to any treatment that is specific to our clinic. Please note that many of the services provided may be eligible for coverage through your Dental and Extended Medical plan(s).

New Patient Fees and Financial Policy

Fees are payable at time of service. Many of the procedures may be a benefit of your dental or extended medical insurance. Following payment, we will be pleased to submit to insurance to aid in your reimbursement. New Patient Fees Cone Beam CT (CBCT) Scan: $230.00 (Payable to Springfield Dental) New Patient Assessment: $377.00 (Payable to CO₂llaborative Care + Research) Oral DNA Testing (Optional): $300.00 (Payable to CO₂llaborative Care + Research) Note: Our team offers Oral DNA Testing, as this has become an important marker of oral bacteria levels and genetic risks that may impact your overall health.

Our COVID-19 Protocols

Our team works diligently to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Prior to your appointment, our team follows the most strigent protocols for decontamination to ensure your health and well-being. Our COVID-19 Protocols

• Masks are mandatory

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Please consider your personal hygiene, and wear freshly laundered clothing and a mask. We also request a maximum of one adult only accompany underage patients. You are welcome to stay with your child until they are feeling comfortable. In our experience children respond more naturally on their own. We currently have no waiting area. Please be prepared to wait outside or in your vehicle.

Becoming a New Patient

"Better Outcomes for mind and body health through CO₂llaborative Care and Research." Dr. Hilary Pada Interested in becoming a New Patient? We would be honoured to be part of your healthcare team! Enter our secure Patient Portal and select 'Register' to begin filling out your patient information, and medical and dental history. Once your registration is completed, our team will be in touch to schedule an appointment and discuss our pre-visit requirements. Become a New Patient ⟫

Already a patient? Book an appointment!

We are honoured to be part of your healthcare team and are looking forward to seeing you again! Enter our Secure Patient Portal, select Log In, and click Schedule an Appointment. Login Now ⟫

New Patient Fees and Financial Policy

Fees are Payable at Time of Service Many of the procedures may be a benefit of your dental or extended medical insurance. Following payment, we will be pleased to submit to insurance to aid in your reimbursement. New Patient Fees Cone Beam CT (CBCT) Scan: $230.00 (Payable to Springfield Dental) New Patient Assessment: $377.00 (Payable to CO₂llaborative Care + Research) Oral DNA Testing (Optional): $300.00 (Payable to CO₂llaborative Care + Research) Note: Our team offers Oral DNA Testing, as this has become an important marker of oral bacteria levels and genetic risks that may impact your overall health.

How You Can Help Prevent the Spread

Please consider your personal hygiene, and wear freshly laundered clothing and a mask. We also request a maximum of one adult only accompany underage patients. You are welcome to stay with your child until they are feeling comfortable. In our experience children respond more naturally on their own. We currently have no waiting area. Please be prepared to wait outside or in your vehicle.

What to Expect During Your New Patient Assessment

Please read the following information prior to your New Patient Appointment. Data Collections for Your Diagnosis We will refer you to Springfield Dental to have a minimal exposure head and neck scan (CBCT) taken. This localized scan will need to be completed one week before your appointment date. Springfield Dental will contact you when they have received our referral. We will be forwarding this scan to a radiology service, and require this time for the report to be sent to us. Photo, Videos, and Digital Scans Assessment in our office will include a specific set of photos and videos of you, as well as digital scans of your mouth. We will require removal of hoodies and baggy clothing, long hair will need to be tied up. Historical Photos We request that you email us the following photos of yourself or the patient (if available). If you aren't able to email please bring the photos with you for scanning. -Birth (to assess skin tone upon delivery) -Baby awake and sleeping -Full body standing and full smile straight on between the ages of 5-8 years -Graduation photo (full smile) Eating and Swallowing Assessment We will supply foods in 3 specific categories.

1. Smooth/Creamy - Applesauce
2. Crunchy - Carrot or a multi grain gluten free cracker
3. Chewy - Began, gluten free power bar

Who is Dr. Hilary Pada?

Get to know Dr. Hilary Pada ⟫ Dr. Hilary Pada is a home-grown Kelowna gal, General Dentist, and Owner of CO₂llaborative Care + Research. She has practiced dentistry for over twenty years, focussing on the technicality and artistry of General Dentistry, as well as Oral Oncology at BC Cancer in Kelowna and is a Mentor at the Kois Center Evidence Based Dental Teaching Center in Seattle. Recently, Dr. Hilary Pada embarked on a new journey in Myofunctional Care after realizing the possibilities to redefine the oral and overall well-being of patients via Myofunctional Care and Research.

Get to know the CO₂llaborative Team!

“... a network of people who take action with heart and care to make society a better place.” Sue Biely, Good Pitch (Vancouver, 2020) Patients are our priority. Health, symmetry, and function through collaborative care and research is our strategy. Comprehensive diagnosis and collaboration with colleagues in Osteopathy, Craniosacral Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Lactation Consultancy, Dentistry, and Medicine is our approach. Meet Our Team ⟫