A
registered dental hygienist (
RDH) is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in
oral hygiene.
Dental hygienists provide three types of services to their patients.
The first of these is preventive services to promote and maintain good
oral health. The second is educational services to help patients develop
behaviours that promote better oral heath and help them understand the
importance of practicing these behaviours. The third type of service
provided is therapeutic services which are treatments meant to stop
disease and maintain healthy tissues in the mouth.
[1] Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists. In most jurisdictions, hygienists work for a
dentist, and some are licensed to administer
local anesthesia. Common procedures performed by hygienists include cleanings known as
prophylaxis,
scaling and root planing for patients with
periodontal disease, taking of prescribed radio graphs, dental sealants, administration of
fluoride, and providing instructions for proper
oral hygiene and care.
Dental hygienist work together with dentist to contribute to a
co-therapist environment, while providing optimum oral health care to
the public. Dental hygienists also offer expertise in their field and
provide the dental hygiene diagnosis, which is an integral component of
the comprehensive dental diagnosis.
[2]
Dental hygiene process of care
A dental hygienist at work
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 by probing and
exploring areas of the patients mouth. During this stage a thorough
documentation must be implemented.
- Dental hygiene diagnosis: Assessing of data pertaining to a
client's condition/state in terms that will help identify problems so as
to lead to a professional treatment plan/ therapies. The final
diagnosis of disease and/or treatments solely lies with jurisdiction
and/or approval granted 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 in a timely and effective manner.
- Evaluation: Determining the effectiveness of the treatment
plan that was administered. If ineffective a complete evaluation on how
to approach the patient's needs differently
Over a period of months or years, a dental hygienist may evaluate the
client's conditions several times, altering the diagnosis and plan as
the client's condition changes.
Training
Australia
Dental hygienists in Australia must be graduates from a dental
hygiene program, with either an advanced diploma (TAFE), associate
degree, or more commonly a bachelor's degree from a dental hygiene
school that is accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC).
All dental hygienists in Australia must be registered with the Dental
Board of Australia, after completing a minimum of three years of
training.
A Bachelor of Oral Health is the most common degree program. Students
entering a bachelor's degree program are required to have a high school
diploma or equivalent. Most Bachelor of Oral Health programs now
qualify students as both Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists,
collectively known as Oral Health Therapist
Canada
Dental hygienists in Canada must have completed a 3-year diploma
program. Three universities in Canada offer Bachelor of Science degrees
in Dental Hygiene: Dalhouise University, University of Alberta,
University of British Columbia.
[2][3][4]
[5]
[6][7][8] In Ontario, hygenists may take further training to become a restorative hygienist.
[3]
Dental hygienists in BC, ON, NS and AB are able to open their own private clinics and practice without a dentist on staff.
United States
Dental hygienists in the
United States must be graduates from a dental hygiene program, with either an
associate 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).
[4]
All dental hygienists in the United States must be licensed by the
state in which they practice, after completing a minimum of two years of
school and passing a written board as well as a clinical board exam.
[5] State requirements vary by state, and are controlled by state dental boards.
[6]
Dental hygienists school programs usually require both general
education courses and courses specific to the field of dental hygiene.
General education courses important to dental hygiene degrees include
college level algebra, biology, and chemistry. Courses specific to
dental hygiene may include anatomy, oral anatomy,
materials science,
pharmacology,
radiography,
periodontology,
nutrition, and clinical skills.
A Bachelor's of Science in Dental Hygiene is typically a four-year
program. Students entering a bachelor's degree program are required to
have a high school diploma or equivalent, but many dental hygienists
with an associate's degree or certification enter the bachelor's degree
programs to expand their clinical expertise and help advance their
careers.
Graduate degrees in the field of dental hygiene are typically
two-year programs and are completed after the bachelor's degree. Common
graduate courses in dental hygiene include Healthcare Management, Lab
Instruction, and Clinical Instruction.
After completing one of the more than 200 accredited dental hygiene
programs in the United States, dental hygienists must be licensed in the
state in which they work. Licensure requirements for becoming a
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) vary from state to state, but most
require a two-year degree, a written examination, and a clinical
examination. The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is intended
to fulfill the written examination requirements. The clinical
examination is typically administered by the state licensing board.
In addition, the
American Dental Hygienists' Association has defined a more advanced level of dental hygiene, the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner otherwise known as a
dental therapist.
