Dental

hygiene is the science and practice of the recognition, treatment, and prevention of oral diseases. The practice of dental hygiene involves collaboration with clients, other health professionals, and society to achieve and maintain optimal oral health, an integral part of well-being.

 The

dental hygienist is a preventive oral health professional, licensed in dental hygiene who supports total health through the promotion of optimal oral health.

dental hygienist provides:

Educational, Clinical, Research, Administrative, and Therapeutic services

 In

practice, dental hygienists integrate the roles of

clinician, educator, advocate, manager, and researcher

Clinician

Advocator

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Educator

Administrator/ Manager

Researcher

 Perform

oral health assessments Expose, process and interpret dental X-rays Make impressions of the teeth Administer anaesthetic injections Remove plaque, calculus (soft and hard deposits) and stain from above and below the gum line; Polish the teeth and dental restorations Perform root planing for non-surgical periodontal therapy;

 Place

and remove a post-surgical dressing and remove sutures; Select and size orthodontic bands, prepare teeth for placement of braces and remove wires and fixed orthodontic appliances; Apply decay preventive agents such as fluorides, varnishes and sealants to the teeth;

 are

role models for their students. obligated to provide an environment that is conducive to learning, and utilize effective teaching strategies. Works collaboratively with other educators and faculty Models a positive influence that reflects a dental hygienist as a primary oral healthcare professional Provides adequate supervision, direction and feedback to students.

 Promotes

an educational environment that is free from sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination Ensure the health and safety of the students and the clients in his/her shared care.

 Research

strategies for systematic inquiry and reporting that supplement, revise, and validate dental hygiene practice and that may contribute to the knowledge base of other disciplines.

 Management

processes and policy and protocol development. Applies organizational skills, communicates objectives identifies and manages resources and evaluates and modifies programs of health, education, or healthcare.

 Influences

legislators health agencies and other organization to bring existing health problems and other resources together to resolve problems and improve access to care. Analyses barriers to change; develop mechanism to effect change; implement processes and to evaluate the success of programs that promote health for individuals, families, or communities; and promote lifestyle changes for individual patients.