Preventive Dental Hygiene

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in preventive dental hygiene.

Preventive Dentistry

A field of dentistry focused on preventing oral diseases before they occur.

Primary Prevention

Measures carried out before disease occurs, such as sealants.

Secondary Prevention

Early disease treatment to prevent progression, such as removal of calculus.

Tertiary Prevention

Methods to replace lost tissues when secondary prevention is unsuccessful, like implants.

Health

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease.

Dental Hygienist

Primary care oral health professional who has graduated from an accredited program and is licensed.

General Supervision

DDS must authorize procedures for a patient of record but does not need to be present during the procedure.

Dental Hygiene Process of Care

Steps include Assess, Diagnose, Plan, Implement, Evaluate, and Document.

Assessment in Dental Care

Individualized needs assessment to reduce, eliminate, and prevent disease through data collection.

Diagnosis in Dental Care

Basis for designing and evaluating the care plan, explaining findings, and justifying treatment.

Care Plan

Integration with the dentist's comprehensive plan, presented to the patient for informed consent.

Evaluation in Dental Care

Determines if the patient requires retreatment, referral, or continuing care.

Documentation in Dental Care

Chronological history of patient care throughout the entire process.