Develop Your Technique Intelligence
By Kathleen O. Hodges, RDH, MS Periodontal debridement with ultrasonic instrumentation provides many benefits for both clinicians and patients. The fundamentals of positioning, adaptation, and…
Category: Articles
Preventing Bone Loss
By Sebastiano Andreana, DDS, MS Dental hygienists specialize in the prevention and treatment of oral disease, all while helping patients maintain their full dentition. Unfortunately,…
Handle With Care
By Jacqueline J. Freudenthal, RDH, MHE In 1971, Washington became the first state to legalize the administration of local anesthesia by dental hygienists. Today, 44 states allow…
Dental Care for Patients With Heart Disease
By Susan Lynn Tolle, BSDH, MS, Amber Walters Hunt, RDH, BSDH, MS Cardiovascular disease is the most common systemic disease in the United States, with approximately 82.6…
Integrating the Health Care Continuum
By Gail B. Stoops, RDH, BSDH Today, the oral cavity is no longer separated from the body in discussions of health. The evidence is clear…
Focus On Prevention
By Gail B. Stoops, RDH, BSDH New and innovative research has shown that oral health is a critical component of overall health, and awareness of…
The Oral Microbiome and the Risk of Lung Infection
By Frank A. Scannapieco, DMD, PhD The oral cavity harbors a diverse collection of microorganisms, known as the oral microbiome, which is responsible for common…
The Evolution of Air Polishing
By Sandra Pence, RDH, MS Air polishing was introduced in the late 1970s as a mode of plaque and stain removal. In recent years, much progress…
Skip the Sugary Drinks
By Tracee Dahm, BSDH, MS, RDH One of the most important duties of dental hygienists is to educate their patients on how to prevent oral…