American Dental Hygienists' Association

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).…

degree. Within these years, a student must take the Dental Admissions Test before they apply for dental school (Applying for Dental School). Most dental schools look at grade pointe average, recommendation letters, and interviews along with the Dental Admissions Test score (Applying for Dental School). After one has been accepted to dental school, they attend graduate school for four years. After the curriculum is over, one must graduate from dental school and complete parts one and two of the…

Ethical Responsibilities Lygia Jolley, RDH, BA January 2, 2018 INTRODUCTION Dental hygienist as a health care provider is granted special rights and responsibilities to the patient by education and skills. As we are providing educational, preventive and therapeutic services to the public, patients are seeking the best care from a professional and ethical practitioner. Ethical dilemmas will be part of the dental hygienist’s daily job, as it has situations with varied ethical…

Societal influences in modern America insure a growing demand for dental hygienists, and continue to provide a stable professional opportunity for dedicated, talented and skilled oral care technicians. There are two profound influences which, together virtually assure the necessity of trained professional oral care personnel. The pressure created on society by food service advertisements and the influence of theatrical, movies, and television actors and actresses. These venues portray…

pressure was below 125/83. After doing a pre-procedure rinse with Listerine, I did an EIOE and everything was within normal limits. Then I disclosed my patient Andrea, and review OHI. My focus was to show her the areas she needs to improve with the dental floss and making sure she is using the floss correctly; then I had her floss her teeth while I cleaned her maxillary partial denture in the ultrasonic. Since I had her staying all day, my plan was to do periodontal…

What initially stimulated my interest in the field of dental hygiene was doing a research project on the occupation of a dental hygienist while I was in high school. From doing the project, I learned the tasks, years of education, hours, and salary of a dental hygienist which further intrigued my interest in the field. When I was younger, I had braces and learned that I would need jaw surgery, which made me more curious about the dental field. The more research and experiences I encountered in…

disease remains to be a widespread problem considering their are many know preventative techniques. While poor oral hygiene is a problem amongst many people, the American Dental Hygienists Association and other nation organization have determined that the main problem for poor dental hygiene is due to the cause of poor communication. Dental Hygienist have been working on communication techniques for low oral health literacy patients in order to help their patients understand how to use simple…

and, in the early stages, reversible.” ( CNW Group, 2015) It is widely accepted among dental professionals that the oral health of a child directly affects their physical health and well-being. Dental decay is an oral epidemic among children in the United States. It is a progressive disease that is not only preventable, but also manageable. For this reason, it is necessary to understand the link between dental caries and low socioeconomic class. As health practitioners, it is imperative to…

A Look Into Expanded Function Dental Assistants The providers of oral health care encompass a larger scope than just the dentist and his or her assistants and hygienists. Multiple disciplines exist within the field to help the efficiency of the dental practice and to provide the underserved population in the absence of an adequate dentist to population ratio. An expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) is one discipline that has come about to provide dental care in a more efficient way. An…

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease that can be defined as a tissue destroying infection of the gums and bone that support your teeth. “The word ‘periodontal’ means ‘around the tooth’” (American Accreditation Healthcare Commission, 2013, p. 1). Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gum and tissues that surround and support the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Understanding the stages with their symptoms, risk factors and…