Dental Hygiene Research Paper

Dental Hygiene
“When we consider what we are about to do in the future, we have to be mindful of this past- a focus on prevention, education, and discernible health outcomes.” JoAnn Gurenlian contributes the evolution of dental hygiene to its expansive ideology. Becoming a dental hygienists entails skill sets in cleaning teeth with specialized instruments, taking x-rays, documenting medical records, etc. This essay will take you through the establishment of dental hygiene leading into what it has become today. From the realizations of the necessity of oral health, the social aspects involved, and ultimately the struggle to convey its importance. Since the beginning of time, tooth decay has been an ongoing issue with mankind. Documentation
She was also the first state licensee for students seeking careers in dental hygiene. A few years later in 1923, the American Dental Hygienists Association was developed. Its purpose was to develop communication among dental hygienists. By 1927 the group consisted of about 467 members. By the late 1930s, oral health was practiced not only in dental office settings but at home as well. Toothbrushes and floss were becoming affordable for the average American. The first toothbrush, referred to as the “chew stick,” made out of a twig with a frayed end, dates back to ancient civilization. The toothbrush we use today originated in 1938, and is made out of nylon bristles. By the mid-1950s fluoridation in the water system was found to be beneficial for the prevention of tooth decay and is still used today. The sixties were a decade for advancements in dental hygiene. During that time, the woman’s liberation movement was on the forefront of the National Dental Hygienists Association. Laws were implemented to allow for men to practice dental
When Fones first started the program in 1913, there was only one school. Graduates didn’t receive any type of formal degree. Today, there are about 332 programs across the United States. Most graduates receive an associate’s degree which takes two years to complete. As of 1939, a baccalaureate program is offered to students who wish to further their education. Students are expected to complete certain prerequisites to enter the program and pass the board exams before being licensed. The scope of practice for dental hygienists has become broader as technology advances. Preventative care is no longer the sole purpose of the hygienist, they now play a therapeutic role. Dental hygienists strictly work in a dental office setting under the supervision of a dentist. Hygienists must be able to perform patient screening procedures, take x-rays, remove plaque, apply sealants, educate patients, make impressions of teeth, and record medical history. Opportunities for the future are expected to arise in the next decade, begging the question of how much education must evolve as well. Traditional dental offices won’t be the only career setting. Hygienists are expected to work in environments such as community health centers, medical facilities, and educational settings. Potentially owning their own practice may be on the horizon. There are boundless opportunities for the future as long as one is willing to put in the