Dental hygienists often describe their careers as rewarding, being able to be with patients on a one on one basis is very intimate and gratifying. When you ask a dental hygienist what technology impacts their everyday experience it is almost a comical reaction. There has been many advances technologically in the dental field, however, most end up benefitting the dentist. Dental hygiene is still fueled by good old fashioned elbow grease. It takes experience and education to be able to identify what needs to be cleaned on a patient’s teeth and there is not an instrument to substitute that. In 1987 Dr. Francis Mouyen introduced the first digital radiography machine (IIic & Stojanovic, 2012, p.81). This has proven to be a significant advancement for dental hygienists. It has enabled them to do their job more efficiently. Digital dental x-rays have revolutionized the dental hygiene profession because hygienists no longer have to wait to develop the film, they are able to take 3-D images which helps diagnose periodontal disease more effectively, and they are able to send the films in digital format to other professionals, which allows them to communicate about a patients care in a more …show more content…
timely manner. The Beginning of Digital X-rays Dr. Francis Mouyen launched the first digital radiography machine in 1987 (IIic & Stojanovic, 2012, p.81). Since then there have been many advancements, and the machines are continually getting better as technology grows, and changes. Traditional X-Rays vs Digital Most people have stories about seeing their dental hygienists. Most include uncomfortable x-rays being taken, and spending time in a dental office that they don’t have to spare. Traditional dental x-rays are time consuming, and are uncomfortable to the patient. These are problems that the patients are faced with, however, they are also problems that the dental hygienists are faced with daily. Taking traditional x-rays are difficult. They have sharp edges that make placing them in a patient’s mouth difficult. When they have to be bent for the patient’s comfort level that allows the film to be distorted which does not provide a clear picture for the hygienist to view (Mauriello, Qun, Johnson, & Platin, 2015, p. 388). Every set of traditional x-rays that are taken need to be developed in a dark room. This can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes, especially if there are multiple practitioners using the same developing room. This takes time away from the patients. Digital Benefits Using digital machines have many benefits and few disadvantages. Digital radiography sensors are smaller, the edges of the sensors are rounded, and therefore easier to place in a patient’s mouth. This makes for a more comfortable experience for the patient, but also allows the hygienist to get images almost immediately. Since the sensors are more rigid it is less likely that a film will be bent and distort the image that is trying to be captured. Digital images appear almost immediately in front of the dental hygienist. This eliminates developing time and also it allows them to see instantly if there is an issue with the picture being taken. Taking the time away from a patient to develop the film, and then realizing that another film needs to be taken is not only time consuming for the hygienist, it is frustrating for the patient. Disadvantages There are some disadvantages to using a digital machine. The sensor is attached to wire that is attached to the machine which can make it difficult for the hygienist to maneuver around, especially since dental offices tend to be small. Since the sensors are attached to the machine they cannot be sanitized the way traditional x-rays pieces are. This means that special wipes need to be used vigorously in between each patient in order to maintain sanitation. Digital X-rays for Diagnosis Mauriello & Platin explain that “digital radiographic imaging does not increase the information available for diagnosis, it allows the alteration on how the information is displayed” (p. 324). Taking a digital x-ray allows the image to be displayed almost instantly in front of the dental hygienist. If the film needs to be adjusted to obtain a better picture this is known immediately. It allows for contrast to be adjusted to show areas that need treatment, and it also allows the patient to see first-hand what the hygienist is explaining to them. Seeing radiographs in this manner can help effectively diagnose a patient, therefore allowing them to be more capable when it comes to treating them. Cone-Beam Computed Tomography One specific type of digital radiography is cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) this type of machine provides detailed 3-D images. Scarfe, Pineheiro, & Farman, 2015, p.22 explain that this machine is the only of its kind that can accurately identify ankyloses, which is when a tooth fuses to the bone. This makes CBCT extremely valuable and a unique asset to the dental office. By using CBCT dental hygienists are also able to identify periodontal ligament space. Traditional films only project 2-D images which limit the diagnoses. Using 3-D images in conjunction with a clinical examine advances the knowledge that the dental hygienist receives and allows them to make a better diagnoses. CBCT Precautions Every type of radiation needs to be approached with care. CBCT machines do use more radiation than digital dental radiography, therefore, CBCT should not be used on a regular basis. The dental professional needs to make the correct decision when CBCT is appropriate. The American Academy of Oral Maxillofacial Radiology advices that CBCT be used with common-sense. A lower-dose, more conventional dental radiography should be used in place of CBCT unless there are no other options or the CBCT will gather the most necessary information (p. 21). It is of the utmost importance that dental hygienist be aware of the radiation risks that any radiograph machine presents. The American Dental Association states that CBCT imaging should be used “Only when the dental practitioner expects that the diagnostic yield will benefit patient care, enhance patient safety, or improve clinical outcomes significantly” (p.20). Dental hygienist often see their patients twice a year, they are responsible for helping patients maintain good oral health. Digital radiographs have made it easier to communicate with other professionals regarding a patient’s health. Communicating With Other Providers Patients don’t often think about how large their charts become after being seen year after year. This is an issue for dental providers since most charts need to be kept on hand for a certain amount of time before they can be archived. Patient’s charts become cumbersome and difficult to manage. Having digital x-rays along with digital charts eliminate the need for paper charts that can be misplaced and take up space in an office. In the event that a patient needs to be referred to a specialist or they may switch practices, when this happens the patient needs to have their current records sent to the other office. With traditional films this involves taking copies of the radiographs. This may seem inconsequential, but it does present some problems. Taking copies of a radiograph does not produce a clear image. If the images are not sufficient for the other practitioner they may need to take new films. This means that the patient is exposed to even more radiation, there is also a possibility that the patient’s insurance will not pay for the extra radiographs, causing an additional expense to the patient. In order for a dental office to switch to a digital system it can be extremely costly. Each individual machine can cost upwards of $5000.00, then there is the cost of retraining the staff so they are competent in using the new technology (Mauriello, & Platin, 2011 p. 327). There also additional part of the machine that if they are bent or damaged they become unusable, and would need to be replaced, which is an additional cost to the practice. While there are many benefits to taking a dental practice digital, as with any new technology there are still setbacks. The digital machines are not standardized, this means that not all offices can communicate easily without the use of a third part HIPAA approved email communication (p. 326). Effectiveness The benefits of digital dental radiography machines far outweigh any negative remarks that can be concluded. While the initial cost can be overwhelming, in the long run the advantages will be staggering. The time saved developing films alone will be remarkable. Since digital radiographs are displayed almost instantly it affords the dental hygienist valuable opportunities to manipulate the films in order to better diagnose and treat their patients. Also, since the records can be stored digitally they are easier for the hygienist to save, retrieve and also be printed (p.326). It also needs to be noted that by eliminating traditional films, it does away with the harsh chemicals used in the developing process (Jones, 2015, p. 45). Conclusion Digital dental radiographs are not necessarily new technology, however, as they continue to progress, they continue to improve the way dental hygienists can do their jobs.
The ability to identify underlying issue and treat them more effectively is just one of the many benefits that are provided with this technology. It is becoming increasingly apparent that oral hygiene is an important part of a person’s overall health. Having technology that can aide a dental hygienist in providing better care to their patients is an advancement that can help propel dental hygiene into the future. Working together with the medical community and focusing on disease prevention, and overall wellness is the main reason that digital dental radiography has become so important in the dental hygiene
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A dental hygienist is a very important role in any dental office. As stated by a dental assistant, “Dental hygienists work closely with the dentist as well as hands on with the patients. They assist dentists with operative procedures such as fillings and extractions, and making molds of patients teeth” (Wilson, Jennifer). A large part of their job is teaching patients proper dental care to ensure a lifetime of healthy teeth. This includes proper brushing and flossing techniques. According to the job out look, a day as a dental hygienist can include taking x-rays, cleaning and scaling teeth, charting treatment plans, putting sealants on teeth, taking impressions of teeth and completing information about the patient’s oral and medical history (Summary). In some states dental hygienist are allowed to give local anesthetic and place and remove sutures (Delivering Local Anesthetic). According to advantages of becoming a dental hygienist, hygienists spend more hands on time with the patients than the dentist does. These are some of the instruments that dental hygienists use on a daily basis: toothbrush, scaler, mirror, ultrasonic scaler, explorer, suction, computer, salvia ejector, rubber cap polisher, dental models, x-ray machine and probe. The dental hygienist uses a toothbrush to remove soft plaque from the teeth. Plaque is a soft coating on the teeth that contain bacteria. The bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease. The amount of plaque on the teeth gives the hygienist an idea of how well the daily brushing and flossing of the patient’s teeth are completed on a regular basis. The scaler is used to remove hardened plaque or calculus from the teeth. The mirror is used to look closely at the surfaces of the teeth a...
Dental hygiene is amongst many professions that come with an increased risk of injury. In fact, evidence suggests that the incidence of dental professionals acquiring musculoskeletal disorders is reaching 96%. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), these complications are a result of “repetitive motion or awkward posture for more than 2 hours at a time, unassisted frequent manual handling (eg, scaling an area using the same strokes), and unassisted forced manual handling (eg, heavy calculus removal using hand-activated instruments)”. These complications not only affect the quality of life for the
Some people tend to believe that a dentist is all about pulling teeth, filling gaps, and drilling holes in a mouth. That may be true, but this is more about the person that treats a patient prior to a dentist drilling into a mouth. Dental Hygienists provide more than just the basic examination. They also give advice on how to properly brush and floss, the types of foods to avoid, and give examples of what teeth could look like if not taken care of correctly. A dental hygienist provides preventive, therapeutic, restorative and educational interventions to promote optimal oral health.
The history of a Dental Hygienist is very riveting. This profession was first founded in 1913 by Dr. Fones when he created the first Dental Hygiene education program in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1906 Fones trained Irene Newman the basics, and she was then the first Dental Hygienist in the world. Later, the founding of the first Dental Hygienist training program, many more were founded. People that decide to become a Dental Hygienist for many reasons, and one is because it is listed to be the 5th out of the “100 best jobs” in 2015. Other reasons are because the “U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics” projects that the employment will grow to 33.3%
The career I have chosen for my future is to become a registered dental hygienist. It wasn’t until I actually learned what dental hygienists do that influenced my interest from medical to dentistry. The first honest reason I was gravitated to dental hygiene was because of the salary. I didn’t really know what Dental Hygienist actually did until I did some research.
It's important for any high school student to have an idea or plan of what they want to pursue in the near future. Most students want to go into the medical field, become a professional athlete, a lawyer, etc. Many talk about becoming a dentist, but not a dental assistant. Simply because they feel like it's not that big of a title of being a dental assistant as compared to a dentist. Little do they know dental assistants play a big role as well in the office. A dental assistant does many tasks and duties that help benefit the dentist and also the patients.
Did you know that the dental assisting profession has been projected to grow 18 percent during the years of 2014 through 2024, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations? And from there who knows, the sky's the limit. But what exactly does a dental assistant do?
The Faculty of General Dental Practice is responsible for continued professional development of dental clinicians. It is committed to improving standards of patient care within dentistry by providing up to date publications and guidelines for clinicians. The standards and guidelines by the FGDP are evidence based and are recognised as authoritative statements of good practice within the profession (REF). The FGDP have produced standards and evidence-based guidelines detailing the Selection Criteria for Dental Radiography (REF).
Dental hygienists are popularly known to work together with dentists in cleaning and examining patients' teeth. It is through examining the teeth of their patients that dental hygienists are able to detect that a particular patient has signs and symptoms of oral diseases. Through this, dental hygienists are able to provide patients with preventive dental care. They could either remove tartar or polish the teeth of the patient. Aside from that, they are also responsible in assessing the oral health of the patient and report their findings to the dentists. Also, they are tasked to document the treatment plans of the patients and educate them so that patients are able to improve their good oral health
Healthcare is a necessity to sustain society. Dentistry is an area of healthcare that I feel extremely passionate about because access to proper dental care is limited, especially in the underserved communities. As an African American, I want to become a dentist and healthcare provider in the hopes of helping patients and adding to the diversification of the field. With a growing minority population in the United States, it has become apparent that there is a shortage of black dentists. This is problematic because underrepresented minorities are in great need of access to culturally connected dentists who understand their clinical needs as much as their lives and their challenges. I believe that when the profession includes a range of ethnicities
Most people hate going to the dentist and getting their teeth cleaned but it is very important to have strong and healthy teeth. I had braces for three years I always thought a Orthodontic Hygienist job was very interesting, although I never had any thoughts on pursuing a career in that field. I recently started taking an serious interest in becoming a Registered Dental or Orthodontic Hygienist after shadowing the dentist and his hygienist at my home town Wrightsville Family Dentist Office. Dr. Justin Ragen and Ms. Charlene Kay has made a huge impact on my decision of going into the dentistry field. I got the privilege of watching them perform hands-on producers such as taking x-rays, monitor development
You might have to check patient’s health using thermometers and blood pressure cuffs. You should be comfortable while using the tools necessary for cleaning and caring for teeth, such as probes, scalers and polishers. Your profession require the use of X-ray equipment or lasers at times, so again one should be able to handle the machine comfortably. Care and precision in the use of such machines is important to patient
At CADH, I was taught how to act upon the eight competencies in different aspects for the public. As a clinician I was taught how to apply the dental hygiene process of care; assessing signs and symptoms, as well as risks factors related to oral disease, and then make a diagnosis, plan, implement, and evaluate the treatment within the dental hygiene scope of practice. One of many important roles of being a dental hygienist is being part of a dental care team where I we work in collaboration with a dentist or a dental specialist. I have been able to extensively develop my management skills to understand the administrative setting of the school, as well as the authority responsibilities and roles of my faculty and other professionals involved. As an administrator, I am responsible to manage my clients’ periodontal status, by identifying presence of disease, setting care priorities, eliminating risk factors, and deciding whether the client is already in the maintenance state or needs further special treatment. As ...
1)Why do you want to be a Dental Assistant? I love people and that is why I want to become a Dental assistant. Being a huge people person and I'm always willing to learn, adapting is essential to this line of work and that is why I will be a perfect fit for the dental assistant program. Getting to know the patients and spending time with them is one of the reasons I am really looking forward to my future as a DA. I am an empathetic person and easily relate to others. This will really help me to be able to provide my patients with the best possible care. Originally I had planned on applying to Manhattan Area Technical College for their Dental Hygienist program. They require that all applicants have a minimum of forty hours experience shadowing
Introduction: In Canada, general dental health is not part Canada’s national system of health insurance (Medicare) (1) except for some dental surgical procedures that are performed at hospitals. Since Oral health does not come under the Health Act about ninety-five percent of the oral health care services are offered on a fee-for-service basis. Oral health care is under provincial or territorial jurisdiction like other health care services and publically financed dental care programs provide the remaining five percent of oral health care services (2). Thus, majority of Canadians receive oral health via privately owned dental clinics. Privately owned dental care gives these services providers control over dental service charges, types of available treatment for the patients and number of follow-up appointment for treatments or routine care. Service users pay for the dental expenses from their own pockets or utilize insurance coverage (1).