Dental Hygienist Model

As a dental hygienist the goal is to provide each patient with the most comprehensive and individualized care. Using the professional model of dental hygiene, the hygienist uses multiple steps for the standard of care. Dental radiographs are used during the assessment phase of the process of care and can be used to identify any oral anomalies. Some uses of radiographs can be by the hygienist and some by the dentists during treatment. Both professionals work together to benefit and improve oral health. The hygienist and dentist can utilize dental radiographs to identify existing restorations. During the assessment the hygienist can use the radiographs to chart the existing restorations and also determine if there are any restorations with faulty margins. Knowing the margins of restorations is important to the dental hygienist because if the restoration is not contoured correctly to the tooth it can lead to periodontal problems with the patient. Also, using the exploratory stroke, the dental hygienist might detect subgingival abnormality and think it is calculus, but the radiograph would show the hygienist it is really the margin of a restoration. Secondly, the dental hygienist …show more content…
For example, the dental hygienist can use the panoramic radiograph to see carotid artery calcification. After identifying the abnormality the patient will be recommended to see their primary care physician and have the condition evaluated. Knowing the way a radiograph should look is essential, so that the hygienist does not miss anything out of the norm or view it incorrectly and inform the patient of a serious condition that is not there. Primary care physicians do not take radiographs on every patient unless they suspect something, so the dental hygienist needs to recognize the assessment of radiographs in the care of oral health and systemic health promotion in