Core Competencies

Identify the ethical and legal issues within situations and institute decision making skills which apply core values and the professional code of ethics to the practice of dental hygiene while adhering to the state practice act.

Continuously perform self-assessment for life-long learning and professional growth.

Assume responsibility for dental hygiene actions and care based on accepted scientific theories and research as well as the accepted standard of care.

Provide individualized dental hygiene care to promote patient/client health and wellness using critical thinking and problem solving in the provision of evidence-based practice rendered in a caring manner.

Communicate effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations both verbally and in writing.

Provide accurate, consistent and complete documentation for assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of dental hygiene services.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Identify individual and population risk factors, developing strategies that promote oral health and health – related quality of life to the public and to organizations within and outside the profession.

Respect the goals, values, beliefs and preferences of the patient/client to determine how best to promote adherence to disease prevention and health maintenance strategies.

Refer patients/clients who may have a physiologic, psychological, and/or social issue for comprehensive patient/client evaluation.

Evaluate and utilize accepted methods to ensure the health and safety of the patient/client and the dental hygienist in the delivery of dental hygiene services.

Community Involvement

Assess the oral health needs of a community, the quality and availability of resources and provide the appropriate referrals and/or education.

Plan, implement, actively participate in, and evaluate community service programs in a variety of settings.

Evaluate the outcomes of community- based programs and plan strategies to improve access to care.

Influence the public (consumer groups, schools, businesses and government agencies) to support health care issues.

Professional Growth and Development

Can identify alternate careers for dental hygienists in nontraditional settings and determine professional resources necessary to assist in their development.

Assume responsibility for participation in professional organizations and continuing education.

Patient/Client Care

Assessment:
PC 1 Systematically collect, analyze and record data on the general, oral and psycho-social health status of a variety of patients/clients using methods consistent with medico-legal and ethical principles.

• Obtain, review, update and interpret an accurate medical, family, social and dental history, recognizing any health conditions that require special considerations prior to, or during, dental hygiene care.
• Perform a thorough extra-oral and intra-oral examination, recognizing abnormalities.
• Accurately complete an examination of the teeth and record the results.
• Evaluate the periodontium and identify conditions that compromise periodontal health.
• Identify the need for radiographs and interpret findings.
• Perform a comprehensive examination using clinical and radiographic data with other data collection procedures to assess the patient’s/client’s needs.
• Identify the patients/clients at risk for a medical emergency and follow appropriate precautionary procedures to prevent an emergency.
• Assess client concerns, goals, values, and preferences to guide care.

Diagnosis:
PC 2 Use critical decision making skills to reach conclusions about the patient’s/client’s dental hygiene needs based on all available assessment data.

• Analyze and interpret the data to formulate a dental hygiene diagnosis in consultation with the dentist and other health and/or community professionals as appropriate.

Planning:
PC 3 Collaborate with the client, dentist, and other health professionals, to formulate an evidence based, client-centered dental hygiene treatment plan.

• Establish a prioritized, planned sequence of care (treatment, education, evaluation) based on the client’s health, oral conditions, standard of care, and the client’s desires for outcome.
• Establish an informed, collaborative relationship with the client including the etiology, treatment, prognosis, and treatment alternatives.

Implementation:
PC 4 Provide preventive, therapeutic and education services that promote and maintain oral health in patients/clients presenting with a variety of periodontal conditions; thereby, assisting patients/clients to achieve their oral health goals.

• Obtain radiographs of diagnostic quality.
• Utilize accepted infection control procedures.
• Apply principles of instrumentation and ergonomics to remove deposits without trauma to hard or soft tissues.
• Educate client/patient to prevent and control oral diseases and promote health.
• Control pain and anxiety through use of accepted techniques.
• Provide dental hygiene services that adhere to the state practice act.
• Manage medical emergencies in the patient/client care environment.

Evaluation:
PC 5 Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented, therapeutic, and education services and modify as needed.

• Determine the outcomes of dental hygiene services using indices, examinations, and patient/client self-report as specified in the client’s goals.
• Evaluate patient/client satisfaction with the dental hygiene care received and the treatment outcomes.
• Determine appropriate preventive maintenance interval.
• Provide additional treatment and referrals based on the evaluation findings.