Dental Hygiene Diagnosis

Based off of the dental hygiene diagnosis and the plaque control evaluation, NSPT was indicated for this patient. NSPT is also referred to as periodontal debridement (PD) or scaling and root planning (SRP). All of these procedures are classified using the dental code 4341 or 4342. You will hear these terms used interchangeably throughout the rest of this paper. According to Gehrig and Willmann, “Nonsurgical periodontal therapy is a term used to describe the many non-surgical steps used to eliminate inflammation in the periodontium of a patient with periodontal disease in an attempt to return the periodontium to a healthy state that can then be maintained by a combination of both professional care and patient self-care” (perio book pg371). Rebecca’s best option was to decrease the inflammation and plaque buildup by removing supra and sub gingival calculus in order to regain attachment of the gingiva. …show more content…
The goals of periodontal therapy are as followed: Minimize the bacterial challenge to the patient, eliminate or control local environmental risk factors for periodontal disease, minimize the impact of systemic risk factors for periodontal disease, and stabilize the attachment level by eliminating inflammation (perio book pg 373). Emphasizing to the patient proper homecare, frequency, and correct technique are important to meet the first goal of NSPT, which is, minimizing bacterial challenges to the patient. SRP or debriding the root surfaces of any plaque or calculus aids in this process. Calculus deposits are coated with bacteria and biofilm that increase inflammation and disease progression, if not removed (Perio book