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Dental Practice Tips | How I Communicate with Patients

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Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known theories of motivation. Maslow's theory states that our actions are motivated by certain physiological and psychological needs that progress from basic to complex.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory

Abraham Maslow first introduced the concept of a hierarchy of needs in his 1943 paper, titled "A Theory of Human Motivation," and again in his subsequent book, "Motivation and Personality." This hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs.

While some of the existing schools of thought at the time-such as psychoanalysis and behaviorism -tended to focus on problematic behaviors, Maslow was more interested in learning about what makes people happy and what they do to achieve that aim.

As a humanist, Maslow believed that people have an inborn desire to be self-actualized, that is, to be all they can be. To achieve this ultimate goal, however, a number of more basic needs must be met. This includes the need for food, safety, love, and self-esteem.

Maslow believed that these needs are similar to instincts and play a major role in motivating behavior. There are five different levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, starting at the lowest level known as physiological needs.

Physiological Needs

The physiological needs include those that are vital to survival. Some examples of physiological needs include:

In addition to the basic requirements of nutrition, air, and temperature regulation, physiological needs also include shelter and clothing. Maslow included sexual reproduction in this level of the hierarchy as well, since it is essential to the survival and propagation of the species.

Security and Safety Needs

At the second level of Maslow's hierarchy, the needs start to become a bit more complex. At this level, the needs for security and safety become primary.

People want control and order in their lives. Some of the basic security and safety needs include:

Finding a job, obtaining health insurance and health care, contributing money to a savings account, and moving to a safer neighborhood are all examples of actions motivated by security and safety needs.

Social Needs

The social needs in Maslow's hierarchy include love, acceptance, and belonging. At this level, the need for emotional relationships drives human behavior. Some of the things that satisfy this need include:

Friendships

Romantic attachments

Family relationships

Social groups

Community groups

Churches and religious organizations

In order to avoid loneliness, depression, and anxiety, it is important for people to feel loved and accepted by others. Personal relationships with friends, family, and lovers play an important role, as does involvement in groups-such as religious groups, sports teams, book clubs, and other group activities.

Esteem Needs

At the fourth level in Maslow's hierarchy is the need for appreciation and respect. Once the needs at the bottom three levels have been satisfied, the esteem needs begin to play a more prominent role in motivating behavior.

At this level, it becomes increasingly important to gain the respect and appreciation of others. People have a need to accomplish things, then have their efforts recognized. In addition to the need for feelings of accomplishment and prestige, esteem needs include such things as self-esteem and personal worth.

People need to sense that they are valued by others and feel that they are making a contribution to the world. Participation in professional activities, academic accomplishments, athletic or team participation, and personal hobbies can all play a role in fulfilling the esteem needs.

People who are able to satisfy esteem needs by achieving good self-esteem and the recognition of others tend to feel confident in their abilities. Conversely, those who lack self-esteem and the respect of others can develop feelings of inferiority.

Self-Actualization Needs

At the very peak of Maslow's hierarchy are the self-actualization needs. Self-actualizing people are self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, and interested in fulfilling their potential.

"What a man can be, he must be," Maslow explained, referring to the need people have to achieve their full potential as human beings.

Maslow's said of self-actualization: "It may be loosely described as the full use and exploitation of talents, capabilities, potentialities, etc. Such people seem to be fulfilling themselves and to be doing the best that they are capable of doing. They are people who have developed or are developing to the full stature of which they capable."

Progressing Through the Pyramid of Needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is often displayed as a pyramid. The lowest levels of the pyramid of needs are made up of the most basic needs while the most complex needs are at the top.

Once lower-level needs have been met, people can move on to the next level of needs. As people progress up the pyramid, needs become increasingly psychological and social.

At the top of the pyramid, the need for personal esteem and feelings of accomplishment take priority. Like Carl Rogers, Maslow emphasized the importance of self-actualization, which is a process of growing and developing as a person in order to achieve individual potential.

Different Types of Needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs can be separated into two types of needs: deficiency needs and growth needs.

Deficiency needs: Physiological, security, social, and esteem needs are deficiency needs, which arise due to deprivation. Satisfying these lower-level needs is important to avoid unpleasant feelings or consequences.

Growth needs: Maslow called the needs at the top of the pyramid growth needs. These needs don't stem from a lack of something, but rather from a desire to grow as a person.

While the theory is generally portrayed as a fairly rigid hierarchy, Maslow noted that the order in which these needs are fulfilled does not always follow this standard progression.

For example, he noted that for some individuals, the need for self-esteem is more important than the need for love. For others, the need for creative fulfillment may supersede even the most basic needs.

Criticisms of Maslow's Theory

Maslow's theory has become wildly popular both in and out of psychology. The fields of education and business have been particularly influenced by the theory. But Maslow's concept has not been without criticism. Chief among the long-held objections are:

Needs don't follow a hierarchy: While some research has shown support for Maslow's theories, most of the research has not been able to substantiate the idea of a needs hierarchy. Wahba and Bridwell (researchers from Baruch College) reported that there was little evidence for Maslow's ranking of these needs and even less evidence that these needs are in a hierarchical order.

The theory is difficult to test: Other critics of Maslow's theory note that his definition of self-actualization is difficult to test scientifically. His research on self-actualization was also based on a very limited sample of individuals, including people he knew as well as biographies of famous individuals who Maslow believed to be self-actualized.

Some of the more recent critiques suggest that Maslow was inspired by the belief systems of the Blackfoot nation, but neglected to acknowledge this. Maslow's studied the Northern Blackfoot tribe as an anthropologist. However, this foundational basis disappeared over time, causing him to misuse the concepts he was originally there to assess.

Impact of Maslow's Hierarchy

Regardless of these criticisms, Maslow's hierarchy of needs represented part of an important shift in psychology. Rather than focusing on abnormal behavior and development, Maslow's humanistic psychology was focused on the development of healthy individuals.

There has been relatively little research supporting Maslow's theory, yet the hierarchy of needs is well-known and popular both in and out of psychology. And in a study published in 2011, researchers from the University of Illinois set out to put this hierarchy to the test.

What they discovered is that, while the fulfillment of the needs was strongly correlated with happiness, people from cultures all over the world reported that self-actualization and social needs were important even when many of the most basic needs were unfulfilled.

Such results suggest that while these needs can be powerful motivators of human behavior, they do not necessarily take the hierarchical form that Maslow described.

The Expanded Hierarchy of Needs

In 1970, Maslow built upon his original hierarchy to include three additional needs at the top of his pyramid, for a total of eight:

Cognitive needs. This centers on knowledge. People generally want to learn and know things about their world and their places in it.

Aesthetic needs. This addresses the appreciation of beauty and form. People might fulfill this need through enjoying or creating music, art, literature, and other creative expressions.

Transcendence needs. Maslow believed that humans are driven to look beyond the physical self in search of meaning. Helping others, practicing spirituality, and connecting with nature are a few ways we might meet this need.

A Word From Verywell

Whether you accept Maslow's hierarchy of needs or not, his theory shines a light on the many needs we have as human beings. And even if we don't all place these needs in the same order, keeping them in mind when interacting with others can help make our interactions more caring and respectful.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Explains Human Motivation

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Maslow's hierarchy of needs describes five levels of needs that motivate human nature. Learn more about the pyramid of needs and why it matters.

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Remember the importance of updating the patient's health and medications at every visit

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At my current office, I am probably considered a health history nag, but I am okay with that! I would prefer to be known for this because patients are then actively involved in their dental care when they participate in updating their health history at EVERY appointment. When hygienists involve patients this way, we are able to educate patients on how their whole health can contribute to dental diagnoses. With the knowledge of medications and new and previous medical diagnoses (i.e., Sjogren's, cancer, diabetes), we are better able to connect the dots on the how and the why of various dental conditions that patients present with. In turn, this becomes a roadmap to our appointments. Making health history updates a priority is a must; there are no excuses for not taking a few minutes to do this for patients and ourselves. Mainstreaming this process can be made quite simple with patients chairside.

How often should we update our health histories, you ask?

While attending the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC) recently, I attended the most informative class of my career, when it comes to an understanding what we, legally, should be considering. The dentists and lawyers (Dr. Robert Anderton, Dr. Mitchell Gardiner, Ms. Joy Jagol, and Mr. Ryan Donihue) leading the class were adamant that medical histories should be reviewed every time we see a patient. This is because we never know what can happen in a 24, 48, or 72-hour period, from appointment to appointment. We all know our training, and we all know we want to be the best, so let's continue to follow through with the level professionalism we were taught! Once we have updated the health history form, it is then vital to have the current date and a new signature.

Earlier, simplicity was "promised." Many methods can be utilized when updating the medical history. At the office I practice, we have a signing pad that connects to a USB port on the computer; Eaglesoft is our software; the customer support team can assist in setting this device up for your office. If another software is utilized in your office, it would be suggested to contact their support team to see if this can work for your office set up. I have also witnessed another office that had a computer near the front desk, and they asked patients to review the health history before the hygienist calls the patient back for their appointment. Of course, hygienists still must make it their responsibility to review this new information to be sure all new conditions are noted properly.

If you still use a paper chart, a suggestion is to ask the patient to review their previous form and make any corrections with their initials next to the correction and be sure to sign and date near the prior signature. In the past when a paper chart was utilized, it got to the point of disaster after a number of visits; at that point, it would be wise to have the patient or caregiver update a new form. This point was made very clear in the simulated court case class at the RMDC, as the dentist on trial had not shown validity in the medical history update, and the prosecuting attorney proceeded to come back to the update of the medical history time and again. When all else fails, and you need that health history done yesterday, try helping your patient complete the form, or ask another team member to assist them after their appointment with a new update. Think outside the box to manage your appointment to efficiency.

What should we be updating on health histories?

I do not believe that it is enough to simply say, "Have you had any changes in your health history?" I can tell you that so many people over the years feel that this is the time to tell me what is hurting in their mouth! No, no, no! As a veteran hygienist, I have learned how to approach certain things in a fashion that can reign in exactly for what I am looking. The verbiage I find to work effectively is, "Mr. Jones, have you had any changes in your health history since I saw you last? We last saw each other February 2016. Any new medications? Any hospitalizations/surgeries? Any new diagnoses?"

Another point made in the RMDC class was that we should be asking all of our patients is their tobacco/alcohol/drug use. In the case presented, the patient was a known tobacco chewer and alcohol user, who eventually died in his thirties of oral cancer. The doctor had made notes of hyperkeratosis on the labial mucosa of lower anteriors at several visits but failed to continue to update his usage of his habits that increased his risk factors to cancer. This was shown to be very detrimental to the dentist's case.

Once you have asked these questions, now is the time to take control of this discussion. Otherwise, you will hear about every bowel movement, blue pill, and sniffle that has occurred since that last visit! No lie! You all know this is the straight up truth! Been there done that, right?! Let's break this down. My recommendation is to review the last medications you had listed, delete (if computerized) or draw a line (if using a paper chart) through any discontinued meds and add any new medications. If your patient carries a list, take a copy to scan into or place in the chart. Make a big deal of patients carrying a list of medications; this makes life easier for you at each appointment and helps if a patient is in an emergency situation in everyday life. DO NOT allow your patient to say it is the same as the last time. More times than not, they have been prescribed something new that you will not learn about until halfway through the appointment, when you ask if they have an increase in dry mouth or you notice exorbitant amounts of bleeding, only to learn that they are now on a blood thinner or high blood pressure medication.

New diagnoses are a huge piece of the medical/dental puzzle that we MUST pay attention to always. When I graduated dental hygiene school in 1996, we were not being taught much in regards to talking about the oral-systemic link. Hygienists, we are smart, and we have a plethora of information to share! It is our job to know EVERYTHING, right?! Or at least we like to think so. Knowing what is going on with our patient's overall health lays out the roadmap for our hygiene appointment.

Once a patient has indicated they have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you better believe that I am going to take time to discuss how it affects the periodontium and vice versa, as well as how people with diabetes are prone to rampant caries. You better believe that I am going to assess for dry mouth and make appropriate recommendations. With diabetic patients, it is very important to ask their A1C level at each appointment as well. Without this valuable information, hygienists are less effective within their hygiene appointment. It's like playing catch up the entire appointment; you are grasping at straws trying to understand what has gone awry since you last saw Mr. Jones. He used to be so clean and healthy, but today his gums are bleeding like crazy, and he has dry mouth up the wazoo, with five new cavities. We are all guilty of this, but we can make a change for our patients by playing detective up front, then spending the time to discuss recommendations while we are completing their appropriate recare therapy; this approach also allows for making your life much simpler.

Sometimes we find out that our patient has a heart attack recently or had a joint replacement during the update; now is the time for a medical consult. Without this knowledge, we put patients at risk for infections that are unnecessary. Does this take extra time? Yes, this does, unfortunately. Perhaps you might train front desk personnel on the proper verbiage to use when contacting a medical office regarding something of this nature so that you can work on radiographs and get an exam while you await a response to the inquiry. If this is not an option, then inform the patient of how important it is to give them the best care possible, and you need to consult their physician before you further proceed with any treatment that could put them at risk for infection. The word infection alone alerts the patient to the importance of that phone call.

One particular matter that has become a pet peeve within this topic is that dental hygienists are not the only healthcare provider in the office who should care whether there has been a change. Dentists, if you are reading this article, please, please, please, please, please update your patient's health histories in your treatment room. How many times are you seeing patients who have not been in for quite some time and they have an "emergency or broken tooth?" Too many to count, I would presume. If these patients have not seen your hygienist recently, guess what? Their medical history is not updated unless YOU or your assistant(s) are updating this information. Quite frankly, I am going out on a limb saying this, but I believe that the licensed individual needs to do this aspect of care or at least make sure it was done properly.

Health histories themselves are far from simple; they are quite complex because the human body is intricately designed. As dental professionals, we know that the mouth is attached to the head, that is attached to the body. By mainstreaming and controlling this brief moment in our patient's appointments, we are able to be the absolute best provider possible for our patients. Gathering all pertinent information from the get-go helps to guide the remainder of our appointment. Do we need radiographs more frequently for our diabetic, xerostomic patient, or our recently diagnosed Sjogren's patient who has ALWAYS had decay? Possibly. Would we rather get all of our data gathered earlier rather than later in our appointments? Yes, every single one of us wants exactly this, correct? This is because that is our right of passage as perfectionistic dental hygienists.

As our profession continues to gain strength in being more fully respected and recognized throughout the healthcare industry, something as simple as a health history update will portray each and every one of us as the professionals we expect to be treated like.

I would highly advise any dental professional to attend a course similar to that of which I attended at the RMDC. I feel the information presented is unprecedented and some of the most informative of my almost 22-year career. I could have only hoped to have had this information years ago.

Listen to the Today's RDH Dental Hygiene Podcast Below:

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The Importance of Knowing a Patient's Health History (And How to Simplify the Process)

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At my current office, I am probably considered a health history nag, but I am okay with that! I would prefer to be known for this because patients are then actively involved in their dental care when they participate in updating their health history at EVERY appointment.

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Communication
1. Better communication with non english speaking patients

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Imagine that you need to go to the dentist while on vacation in sunny Cancún; what dental terminology in Spanish would you use?

Learning a language implies learning a lot of different vocabulary, even when you don't need it at the moment. If you were to learn only words that you need when you need them, your language skills would be very limited.

For that reason, today I'll introduce you to some of the most useful and specific dental terminology in Spanish, including dental problems and procedures, anatomy, instruments, and materials.

Why Learn Dental Terminology in Spanish?

Learning dental terminology in Spanish-or any health-related terminology in Spanish-is key if you're planning to spend time in a Spanish-speaking country in the near future. You never know when an emergency may arise, and you need to be able to communicate with your dentist wherever you may be.

However, you don't only learn dental terminology in Spanish to prepare for a hypothetical emergency, you also do it simply to keep growing your vocabulary by learning specific terms about different areas of life.

This improves your general knowledge of the language. You may not love football, yet you could still learn about football in Spanish. Same thing here, you study dental terminology in Spanish precisely because it's in Spanish, and that's the language you're learning.

Dental Terminology in Spanish

By "dental terminology in Spanish," I'm referring to all kinds of words that may be said in a visit to the dentist, including the different areas at the dental office; parts of the tooth and mouth; dental problems and procedures; the dentist's instruments and materials; and other dental general terms.

At the Dentist's Office

Let's start by exploring the dental office, its different parts, and the people you'll find there.

Parts of the Tooth

When it comes to dental terminology in Spanish, the parts of the tooth is one of the most important sections-and one of the lesser known.

Teeth and Mouth

Every tooth has its own name and it's important to know them both in English and in Spanish to be able to communicate with your dentist properly. This section also includes the different parts of the mouth.

Dental Problems

Perhaps the main reason to learn dental terminology in Spanish is to be able to tell your dentist what is the problem you might be experiencing. Here's a list of the most common dental problems:

Dental Procedures

Now, let's focus on some of the most common dental procedures.

Dentist's Instruments and Materials

Dentists' instruments have a name; let's learn what they're called in Spanish. I'm including some of the materials dentists use, too.

Dental-related Verbs

These are some verbs commonly used when you visit your dentist.

General Dental Terms

Last but not least, we'll conclude our lesson on dental terminology in Spanish with general dental terms.

Don't Forget to Brush Your Teeth and Practice Spanish!

Just like brushing your teeth, developing your Spanish should be a daily habit. Try to introduce this dental terminology in Spanish into real-life conversations and that way you'll be ready to use it when the occasion arises. Sign up for a free class with one of our certified, native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala, and start talking about dental terminology in Spanish today!

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

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At the Dentist: Dental Terminology in Spanish

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Imagine that you need to go to the dentist while on vacation in sunny Cancún; what dental terminology in Spanish would you use? Learning a language implies learning a lot of different vocabulary, even when you don't need it at the moment.

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www.ada.org
www.mouthhealthy.org
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus

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The primary learning objectives for this course are to: 1) increase your knowledge of evidence-based concepts, principles and skills, and 2) specifically how to formulate a good clinical question in order to find relevant evidence to answer that question.

The Evidence-based Decision Making (EBDM) process provides a mechanism for staying current in practice by addressing gaps in knowledge so that the clinician can provide the best care possible. To accomplish this, EBDM requires understanding new concepts and skills, the first and often the most difficult is how to ask an answerable question. This question provides the basis for identifying the key terms for conducting an efficient search, the second step of the EBDM process. These two steps provide the basis for the three that follow: critically appraising the evidence, applying the results in clinical practice, and evaluating the outcome. The EBDM approach recognizes that clinicians can never be completely current with all conditions, medications, materials, or available products, and provides a structured approach to keeping current.

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Evidence-based Decision Making: Introduction and Formulating Good Clinical Questions

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The primary learning objectives for this course are to: 1) increase your knowledge of evidence-based concepts, principles and skills, and 2) specifically how to formulate a good clinical question in order to find relevant evidence to answer that question.

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The dental hygiene diagnosis is an integral part of a dental hygiene appointment. It allows for the collection of data to be formulated into an oral health care plan that is patient-specific in order to obtain optimum oral health care instruction. Consequently, the dental hygiene diagnosis has gained a heightened awareness by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA), the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA), and clinical teaching institutions, as the role of the dental hygienist has broadened.

Throughout my career, as a practicing dental hygienist, I have heard countless times the statement from fellow dental hygienists, "I was taught not to diagnose." This statement perplexes me, considering our duties predicate a diagnosis. In most clinical settings, the dental hygienist spends three-quarters more time chair-side than the doctor during a routine examination. Therefore, it only makes sense to bring the doctor up to speed on the patient's needs prior to his or her examination.

A diagnostic of the patient by the dental hygienist includes clinical findings, radiographic findings, oral home care needs, and future oral care needs. By definition, a diagnosis is "The identification of the nature of an illness or other problems by examination of the symptoms." ¹ The confusion regarding the legalities of the dental hygiene diagnosis pertains to the limitations placed on the dental hygienist in a clinical setting. Addressing the definition of the dental hygiene diagnosis and the roles of the dental hygienist may bring clarity to this confusing topic.

The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) developed Applied Standards of Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice in 1985. In 2010, The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) removed the dental hygiene diagnosis from accreditation standards for dental hygiene, which was prompted by the American Dental Association House of Delegates in 2007. ² The ADHA's guide on Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist was last revised in 2016 to include the dental hygiene diagnosis. Recently, the ADHA has advocated for a revision to the clinical practice of dental hygiene in reference to the "dental hygiene diagnosis." 3 However, as of the writing of this article only two states, Colorado and Oregon, officially recognize the dental hygiene diagnosis as part of a hygienist's scope of practice.

The ADHA has taken the position which supports the dental hygiene diagnosis, and has defined it as, "The identification of an individual's health behaviors, attitudes, and oral health care needs for which a dental hygienist is educationally qualified and licensed to provide." ⁴ The dental hygiene diagnosis, including the planning and evaluating phases, must be implemented within the scope of the licensure requirements. The Applied Standards of the Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice defines dental hygiene as, "The science and practice of recognition, prevention, and treatment of oral disease and conditions as an integral component of total health." 5

The Applied Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice breaks down the dental hygienist duties in phases: Assessment, Dental Hygiene Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, and Documentation. These phases were adopted to guarantee the quality of care. ⁵

During a dental hygiene appointment, the assessment phase includes collecting, documenting, and analyzing data. First, the dental hygienist documents the patient's health status and needs. This allows the dental hygienist to determine if any health conditions or medications may be a precursor to oral manifestations. Then the clinical evaluation assesses dental and periodontal charting, tooth caries, tooth fractures, demineralization, plaque, calculus and stain build-up, saliva consistency, oral lesions, pocket depths, recession, soft tissue inflammation, and bleeding. A radiographic examination assesses incipient and carious lesions, periapical abscessing, bone loss and any other radiographic artifacts.

Next, based on the clinical and radiographic evaluations, the dental hygienist performs a dental hygiene diagnosis using the findings to identify any potential oral health problems. The dental hygienist then implements a plan of care based on the previous findings to help reach maximum oral health. Following the planning phase, the dental hygienist performs dental hygiene services based on patient needs. Finally, the dental hygienist reviews the outcome of the dental hygiene services prior to the doctor's examination, after which, the dental hygienist records the data and treatment recommendations. Based on the time table of a dental hygiene appointment, the dental hygienist's failure to diagnose would be a disadvantage to the patient and for the examining doctor.

The dental hygiene diagnosis is an important and vital part of the dental hygiene appointment. It not only allows the dental hygienist to meet the standard of care but is also beneficial to the examining doctor. A crucial argument for the dental hygienist diagnosis and the need for the dental hygienist to communicate this with the doctor is to understand the examining doctor may be unaware of any of the needs that were assessed prior to dental hygienist treatment.

Therefore, for a dental hygienist to shy away from diagnosing would be a failure to meet the standard of care and licensure requirements. Thus, the dental hygiene diagnosis is a crucial phase of any dental hygiene appointment and allows for a successful outcome of optimal oral health with patient compliance.

References

1. Definition of Diagnosis. Wikipedia. Sourced from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnosis

2. ADA Remains Committed to Advancing Dental Hygiene Education Standards Despite CODA Opposition. American Dental Hygiene Association; August 15, 2018. Retrieved from http://www.adha.org/resources-docs/ADHA_CODA_Statement_8-15-18.pdf

3. Advocacy: Changes to Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs. American Dental Hygiene Association. Retrieved from https://www.ADHA.org/changes-to-accreditation-standards-for-dental-hygiene-education-programs

4. Dental Hygiene Diagnosis. September 2015. American Dental Hygiene Association. Retrieved from http://www.adha.org/resources-docs/Diagnosis-Position-Paper.pdf

5. Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice. (2016) American Dental Hygiene Association. Retrieved from https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/2016-Revised-Standards-for-Clinical-Dental-Hygiene-Practice.pdf

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Dental Hygiene Diagnosis: The Basis for Standard of Care - Today's RDH

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The dental hygiene diagnosis is an integral part of a dental hygiene appointment. It allows for the collection of data to be formulated into an oral health care plan that is patient-specific in order to obtain optimum oral health care instruction. Consequently, the dental hygiene diagnosis has gained a heightened awareness by the American Dental ...

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Honestly, sometimes patients just don't get it!!