New technology advancements have placed dentistry on the fast track for clinical success and patient comfort. The savvy dental hygiene professional recognizes the opportunity and need for updating and enhancing practice delivery systems as well as the conveniences afforded by a modern dental hygiene operatory. From assessment to daily care recommendations, integration of these advancements will also affect professional career satisfaction through maximizing diagnostics, delivering optimal care and facilitating advanced preventive interventions.
Modern Dental Hygiene Diagnosis:
The advent of high tech devices has provided dental hygienists with more effective and efficient ways to assess health and disease. From intraoral cameras to digital radiography, dental hygiene professionals are now armed with tools to optimize diagnosis and patient education. From caries activity detection tools that can now predict and identify areas of concern well before traditional methods, to periodontal risk assessment, to use of cameras to educate and document, the choices have greatly expanded in recent years. Technologies that warrant consideration and integration into the modern dental hygiene operatory include:
- Caries diagnostic and detection tools – from quantitative light fluorescence to laser-assisted technologies, caries detection has moved beyond traditional explorer detection with an emphasis on minimally invasive therapies
- Oral cancer screening tools – from brush biopsy technology to fluoresced lights, oral cancer can now be detected at its earliest stages for life-saving intervention
- Intraoral cameras – for patient education and documentation
- Digital radiography – to clearly assess health and disease while minimizing radiation and chemicals involved with traditional radiography
- Periodontal risk assessment tools – to determine periodontal infection risk as well as disease activity
- Computer assisted/voice activated charting technologies – control force computerized probed and voice activation to accurate and reliable assessment
Enhancing Clinical Delivery
Long gone are the days of exclusive use of hand instruments for periodontal debribement. Today, the modern practitioner has expanded her armamentarium to include a host of equipment and chemotherapeutics to enhance clinical success and patient comfort. Innovations included in these practices include:
- Loupes – to enhance vision
- Powered ultrasonic scalers – for efficient biofilm and deposit removal with the ability to deliver chemotherapeutic agents
- Unique hand instruments – new designs and technology which requires less sharpening and a longer life, check out new ultrasonic inserts with LED lights to enhance vision during scaling
- Periodontal lasers – for removal of diseased epithelial lining and to maximize healing
- Locally applied antimicrobials/antibiotics – to increase clinical outcomes with respect to reduction in pocket depths and gain in clinical attachment
- Remineralization therapies – beyond fluoride, calcium and phosphate systems are effective in reducing sensitivity and enhancing remineralization
- Chairside whitening lamps/systems – many states allow chair-side whitening by the dental hygienist. Chair-side systems provide a great avenue for whitening and revenue for the dental hygiene department
Equipping for You and Your Patient
New advancements in operatory design include ergonomic clinician chairs and operatory equipment designed to make it easier to deliver quality care and to maximize patient comfort. Modern operatories include flat screen monitors for patient education, charting and viewing movies for in-chair entertainment. Additionally, products are made available to increase patient compliance with key oral health recommendations and even spa like settings have become popular for progressive practices. Hot towels to iPods, we have seen a trend toward creating a peaceful environment in which to practice. Streamlined equipment, soft colors and wireless solutions have been a welcome addition to the traditional operatory setting. Daily care products to stock might include:
- Oral malodor products
- Antimicrobial mouth rinses, toothpastes, tongue spray/gels
- High-tech powered toothbrushes and related oral care devices
- Tongue cleaning tools
- Calcium, Phosphate & Fluoride products for remineralization and sensitivity treatment
- Whitening & related maintenance products
Maximizing Your Resources
Modern dental hygiene clinicians understand that staying connected to the ever-changing profession is essential to their personal and professional success. The following resources provide key information as it becomes available and will keep the savvy clinician in touch with the latest and greatest!
- Dentalcompare – www.Dentalcompare.com, sign up for our bi-monthly dental hygiene newsletter which includes new products, technologies, industry news, research abstracts, upcoming continuing education events and more!
- American Academy of Dental Hygiene – www.aadh.org, this fellowship based organization focuses on continuing education and life long learning. This organization provides formal recognition of excellence in the practice of dental hygiene.
- American Dental Hygienists’ Association – www.adha.org, sign up for their bi-monthly e-newsletter, join the association, keep up to date on the latest professional news, access a list to degree completion program, online continuing education and more!
- Corporate Resources – most companies have informative web sites that include areas of research, product innovation and the opportunity to network with fellow colleagues.
Future Trends
There is little doubt that the new age of technology, communication and delivery of care is here. The abundance of options and opportunities afforded through technological advances have provided better delivery of dental hygiene care and will continue to evolve. Distance co-therapies, internet consultations, instant chairside diagnostics, periodontal probes based on ultrasonic technology are all on the horizon and currently being utilized by research and corporate entities. Regardless of where you are in updating your environment it is essential to replace key equipment and instruments to assure the best in dental hygiene care!