You see them often when you go in to get your teeth cleaned. Very rare does the dentist actually do it. It is usually done by the registered dental hygienist (RDH). So that begs the question, What is an registered dental hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive medical care, typically, but not limited to, focusing on techniques in oral hygiene.
Common procedures performed by hygienists include cleaning, scaling and root planing, taking of prescribed radiographs, dental sealants, and provide instructions for proper dental care.
Educational and licensing requirements in U.S. To become a dental hygienist in United States, you must graduate from a dental hygiene program, with either an associates degree (most common), a certificate, a bachelor's degree or a master's degree from a dental hygienist school that is accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA).
The dental hygiene process of care has five steps:
Assessing the patient: This includes, but is not limited to, a full review of the patient's medical history, necessary x-rays to be taken, a clinical exam, and a periodontal assessment.
Dental hygiene diagnosis: Assessing of data pertaining to a client's condition in terms that will help identify problems so as to lead to a creation of an order to apply available professional therapies. The diagnosis of disease in most jurisdictions may only be performed by the doctor.
Planning: creating a sequential treatment plan for the patient. The treatment plan will vary based on the patient's immediate needs.
Implementation: Carrying out the plan.
Evaluation: Determining the effectiveness of the work that was performed.
Over a period of months or years a dental hygienist may have his or her work evaluated several times, altering the diagnosis and plan numerous times as the client's condition changes.
(original post by Jennifer)
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