Hygienist Vs Dentist

Traditionally, the dental profession and the medical profession were perceived as two separate entities, however, this bifurcated health system has created an epidemic in oral disease with our aging population (Nagro, 2016). In 1840, when the first dental school in the world opened, it was suggested that dental courses should be added to the medical curriculum, however, this proposal was rejected. This reminds us of the ongoing disparity between the medical and dental profession (Beck, 2017). Furthermore, the lack of integration is further exposed by the fact that dentistry is not part of the same education system, physician’s networks, medical and dental profession was proposed, Jean Calvo, who has a master’s degree in public
GUM DISEASE: …show more content…
However, one problem that needs to be addressed first is the different philosophies within the dental profession. Even at the risk of seeming insensitive to the advancement of serving more rural areas, as well as skilled nursing facilities, dentists continue to protest other dental professionals, such as the dental hygienist, from being independent and providing more access to care. As the number of older Americans continue to rise, along with dental practitioners who are entering retirement, it would benefit these under-served populations for this profession to develop new models of mid-level care. Expanding training, combined with additional licensing, for dental hygienists, as well as …show more content…
“Organized dentistry also fought the concept of a master’s level dental hygienist functioning as a periodontal co-therapist with the dentist” (Saunders, 2016, p.8). Perhaps the unequivocal resistance is simply a case of being pragmatic. A dentist attends school for 7-8 years to learn his/her trade regarding disease and infection, whereas a dental hygienist attends school to learn about the prevention of infection. If a dental hygienist was truly successful in the management of his/her craft, a decreased demand for a dentist could arise. Thus, lies the peculiar perplexity bound by two worlds. Dr. Paulos, a dentist residing in Northern California who also started his career with a focus on geriatric dental care explained that there are two philosophies within the dental community about mid -level practitioners. He states that there is a special need for dental hygienists to be licensed to work in settings, outside of a traditional office, to provide access