W1: The Profession of Dental Hygiene

How does the American Dental Hygienists’ Association define a professional dental hygienist in 3 ways?

A primary care oral health professional who has

1. graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program in an institution of higher education,

2. is licensed in dental hygiene,

3. and supports overall health through the promotion of optimal oral health.

What does the term dental hygiene care denote (signify)?

Preventive, educational, and treatment services administered for a patient by a dental hygienist.

What did Dr. Alfred C. Fones notice?

Most children had dental decay by the time they reached the dental chair.

What does the name “dental hygienist” associate with today?

Assocation with prevention

What did Dr. Fones do that was important?

He trained the first dental Hygienist to demonstrate education and prevention to reduce dental disease.

Who was was the first dental hygienist?

Irene Newman

When, who and where was the First American Dental Hygiene Program?

Established in 1913

Located in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Established by Dr. Fones

The graduation class of 1914 were employed where?

They were employed in a school-based setting to emphasize the importance of oral care in children

What were the school-based programs and hospitals describing a pioneering dental hygienist as?

dental nurses

Where is dental hygiene now today?

Dental hygienists:

1. Treat periodontal disease in a preventive and therapeutic,

2. They prevent dental caries and

3. Screen and prevent oral cancer

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America, what does oral health mean?

Oral health means more than healthy teeth and it’s essential to general health.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America, why do safe and effective disease prevention measure exist?

Safe and effective disease prevention measures exist so that everyone can voluntarily decide to improve oral health and prevent disease

When was the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America published?

The year 2000

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America, why is oral health important?

It affects overall health and well being

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America, what relationship does oral health and the body have?

A systemic relationship

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America, is Oral Health accessible?

oral health is a major unmet need

Who experiences most of dental decay?

lower income household and or minorities

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America, what are some negative things found?

Overuse of ineffective treatment and disparities

What are the 5 key actions of a dental Hygienist?

1. Change perceptions of oral health

2. Replicate effective programs and proven efforts

3. Build the science base

4. increase oral health workforce, diversity, capacity, and flexibility

5. Increase collaborations

What are the 7 roles of a dental Hygienist?

1. education

2. assessment

3. diagnosis

4. prevention\

5. intervention/therapy

6. research

7. administraiton

What is law called in each state?

Practice Act

What are professional dental hygienists responsible for, as outlined in the Dental Hygiene Practice Act of each state?

to provide only those services allowed within the scope of practive

How is the type of supervision by a dentist determined for for the delivery of dental hygiene services?

It is determined by individual practice acts in each state.

What is direct supervision?

The supervision of those tasks/procedures that do not require the presence of the dentist in the room where they are performed by requires the dentist’s presence on the premises and availability for prompt consultation and treatment.

What is indirect supervsion?

The supervision of those tasks/procedures that do not require the presence of the dentist in the office or on the premises at the time, but do require that the tasks be performed with the prior knowledge and consent of the dentist.

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