The role and education of professional dental hygienists

Profesional Dental Hygienist

Info: I need 10 pages assey on what is professional dental hygienist 10 pages double spaces with refferences on 1-2 current dental magazines 2006-7 and should include 'my "thoughs

The Professional Dental Hygienist

The position of the dental hygienist in the dental practice office is a twentieth century job, and actually intended for women to assist the dentist.".. By taking over some important, but unremunerative, work in public health and private practice: namely, cleaning children's teeth, and educating patients about proper dental health (Fones, 1912) (Adams, 2003)." Today, of course, the dental hygienist is professional who, before assuming the responsibilities of her, or his, profession, is required to first complete a course of rigorous course of study and internship. The position of dental hygienist is one that has become embedded in the dental practice, and has, with time, taken on an increasing responsibility and permanent place in the dental practice. This paper will look at the role of the dental hygienist in the dental practice today.

Performance and the Work Site

It is expected, of course that the dental hygienist will be responsible in reporting to work as assigned. Like any office that performs patient care, everyone's time is valuable, and appointments are scheduled to accommodate the practice professionals and the patients. When everyone is making an effort to coordinate their time, it becomes important to report to work on time. It is not just professional, it is respectful and acknowledges the time others are committing to in order to receive dental care.

More than 75% of Americans over 35 have some form of gum disease. In its earliest stage, your gums might swell and bleed easily. At its worst, you might lose your teeth. The bottom line? If you want to keep your teeth, you must take care of your gums.

The mouth is a busy place, with millions of bacteria constantly on the move. While some bacteria are harmless, others can attack the teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria are contained in a colorless sticky film called plaque, the cause of gum disease. If not removed, plaque builds up on the teeth and ultimately irritates the gums and causes bleeding. Left unchecked, bone and connective tissue are destroyed, and teeth often become loose and may have to be removed (Lewis, Carroll, 2002, p. 16)."

Each day a dental hygienist reports to their job, they begin by ensuring that they are prepared to treat the patients that are scheduled to be seen by them on that day. Usually, adult patients take about 50 minutes per patient for the hygienist to complete his or her service, and to provide them with up-to-date information on the care of their teeth.

Preparing the hygienists' tools and work area to receive patients is a very important task. Instruments must be sterilized after each use, and x-ray machines and materials have to handled according to instructions. The use of gloves and masks are essential to a healthy work area, and to the hygienists' own wellness as well as that of the patient.

It is also the hygienists' responsibility to stay current on literature that speaks new and innovative measures in their field as regards dental hygiene. Professional magazines and literature are a good source of information and one way to stay abreast of what is going on in the dental hygiene profession. Another way is to become a member of a peer group, which provides a forum for discussing new measures, techniques, tools, and forming cohesive professional relationships based on shared professional interests.

Although not as large as medicine, dentistry is a significant industry: the national expenditure on dental care in 1990 was $34 billion (U.S. Health Care Financing Administration 1991). There are 144,000 practicing dentists in the United States (U.S. Bureau of the Census 1992); on average three workers are employed per dental office (American Dental Association 1987), resulting in a dental workforce of nearly a half million people, including the dentists. In recent years, competitive pressures owing to higher dentist/population ratios, improved dental health, and a weak economy have sent dentists looking for methods to improve the management of their dental practices. Culver (1989) advocates the use of several methods to improve dental practice management which incorporate TQ principles (even though they are not identified as TQM). While applications of TQM for medical care have been adopted in hospitals (Berwick, Godfrey, and Roessner 1990), the extent to which dental practices have incorporated principles of TQM is unknown (Kladenberg, Dennis, 1995, p. 21)."

Prior to seeing a patient, the hygienist will review the patient's chart to determine what, if any x-rays are required. If x-rays, which are taken annually, are required, the hygienist will perform that service. It is the dental hygienists' responsibility to work closely with the dentist, who sees each patient following the service provided by the hygienist. The hygienist reports any unusual conditions the patient is experiencing with regard to his or her teeth, and, in those instances where it is something which the hygienist has not seen in his or her work before, should work with the dentist as he or she provides care so that discussions can ensure surrounding the new experience. The most common conditions that a hygienist will notice in a patient, and about which the hygienist will discuss with the patient prior to the patient being seen by the dentist.

Although the symptoms of periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. They include:

gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing red, swollen or tender gums persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth receding gums formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums loose or shifting teeth changes in the way teeth fit together on biting, or in the fit of partial dentures (Lewis, 2002, p. 16).

Since technology, treatment and care is continuously improving, the hygienist will discuss treatment options with patients who suffer from conditions or diseases of the gums and mouths. In Canada and the United States there are approved drugs and treatments with which to treat patients (Lewis, 2002, p. 16). Some of the options available to patients are (p. 16):

What it Is Colgate Total

Over-the-counter tooth- triclosan and fluoride paste containing the anti- toothpaste bacterial triclosan

Peridex or generic

Prescription mouth rinse chlorhexidine mouth containing'an anti-micro- rinse bial called chlorhexidine

Periochip tiny piece of gelatin filled with chlorhexidine

Atridox gel that contains the anti- biotic doxycycline

Actisite

Thread-like fiber that con- tains the antibiotic tetracy- cline

Arestin microspheres

Tiny round particles that contain the antibiotic minocycline

Periostat low dose of the medica- tion doxycycline that keeps destructive enzymes in check

Why it's Used

Colgate Total

The antibacterial ingredient triclosan and fluoride reduces plaque and result- toothpaste ing gingivitis. The fluoride protects against cavities.

Peridex or generic

To control bacteria, result- chlorhexidine mouth ing in less plaque and gin- rinse givitis

Periochip

To control bacteria and re- duce the size of periodon- tal pockets

Atridox

To control bacteria and re- duce the size of periodon- tal pockets

Actisite

To control bacteria and re- duce the size of periodon- tal pockets

Arestin microspheres

To control bacteria and re- duce the size of periodon- tal pockets

Periostat

To hold back the body's en- zyme response -- if not con- trolled, certain enzymes can break down bone and connective tissue.

How it's Used

Colgate Total

Used like a regular tooth- triclosan and fluoride paste toothpaste

Peridex or generic

Used like a regular mouth- chlorhexidine mouth wash rinse

Periochip

Chip is placed in the pock- ets after root planing, where the medicine is slowly released over time.

Atridox

Placed in pockets after scal- ing and root planing. Anti- biotic is released slowly over a period of about seven days.

Actisite

These fibers are placed in the pockets. The medicine is released slowly over 10 days. The fibers are then re- moved.

Arestin microspheres

Microspheres placed into pockets after scaling and root planing. Particles re- lease minocycline slowly over time.

Periostat

This medication is in pill form. It is used in combi- nation with scaling and root planing.

Conclusion

Today, dental hygienists serve an important function and role in dental practices. For their focus in pursuing education and training to prepare themselves for their profession, and in recognition of their outstanding and the contributions they make to the profession of dental care and practices, hygienists are recognized by their peers.

We're not just tooth cleaners anymore," said Grzegorek. "We are the gatekeepers to perio-systemic health." good hygienist educates with compassion rather than a lecture, Pietrantonio said, "caring about what people are going through and understanding that dentistry, even though it's what I think about all day, is a small part of what patients are thinking about (Daily Herald, 2006, p. 1)."

The profession of dental hygienist is one that has, since its initial creation, provided job opportunities for many people, especially women. It is one of the fastest growing careers in the professional job categories, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Like any work that is concerned with the delivery of patient care, it is important to develop practices that are safe, up-to-date, and, as a hygienist, to work closely with the attending dentist, and to be constantly aware of the improvements and changes in technology.

Individual dental health care is as important to a person's overall health as is any condition that a person might suffer. Professionals in the industry must strive to keep this notion at the forefront of healthcare industry thinking so that they help patients receive the best care possible. Health insurance benefits are often limited as to what procedures and conditions are covered for dental healthcare, which contributes to an individual's decline in practicing good dental care and in receiving the necessary professional care to ensure a healthy mouth. Industry professionals must work together, individually and as a professional group practice, to work on behalf of their professions and on behalf of patients to help insurance companies and other organizations that drive healthcare benefits to include dental care as part of their preventative medical packages.

The role of the dental hygienist is an important one, and one which should be performed with the dignity and pride of performing a service that is helping people to pursue better and healthier lives. It can be expected that as technology improves and dental care evolves to a higher level that the role of the dental hygienist will expand and take on an even greater importance in the dental practice office. This will create even more opportunities for individual hygienists to set and achieve personal and career opportunities.