Dental Hygiene Program Standards

Performance Standards and Core Competencies:

Successful participation and completion of the Dental Hygiene Program requires that an applicant be able to meet the demands of the program. The dental hygiene student MUST be able to perform academically in a safe, reliable and efficient manner in the classroom, laboratory and clinical skills exam area. The dental hygiene student MUST demonstrate the behaviors, skills and abilities necessary to be in compliance with legal and ethical standards as set forth by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association Code of Ethics.

DENTAL HYGIENE CORE COMPETENCIES: The dental hygienist is an important member of the health care team whose primary role is to assist patients in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health. Dental hygienist may provide educational, clinical, and consulting services to a diverse population of patients. The following are the Competencies for Entry into the Profession of Dental Hygiene (as approved by the 2003 House of Delegates) are important for in the role of Registered Dental Hygienist.

1. Ethics and Professionalism:

1. Students will adhere to the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA) Code of Ethics.
2. Adhere to all state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of dental hygiene care.
3. Provide dental hygiene care to promote patient health and wellness using critical thinking and problem solving in the provision of evidence-based practice.
4. Use evidence-based decision making to evaluate and incorporate emerging treatment modalities.
5. Assume responsibility for dental hygiene actions and care based on accepted scientific theories and research as well as the accepted standard of care.
6. Continuously perform self-assessment for life-long learning and professional development.
7. Promote the profession through service activities and affiliations with professional organizations.
8. Provide quality assurance mechanisms for health services
9. Communicate effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations both verbally and in writing. 
10. 10. Provide accurate, consistent, and complete documentation for assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of dental hygiene services. 
11. 11. Provide care to all patients using an individualized approach that is humane, empathetic, and caring.

1. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention:

1. Promote the values of oral and general health and wellness to the public and organizations within and outside of the profession.
2. Respect the goals, values, beliefs, and preferences of the patient while promoting optimal oral and general health.
3. Refer patients who may have a physiologic, psychological, and/or social problem for comprehensive patient evaluation.
4. Identify individual and population risk factors and develop strategies that promote health related quality of life.
5. Evaluate factors that can be used to promote patient adherence to disease prevention and/or health maintenance strategies.
6. Evaluate and utilize methods to ensure the health and safety of the patient and the dental hygienist in the delivery of dental hygiene.

1. Community Involvement:

1. Assess the oral health needs of the community and the quality and availability of resources and services.
2. Provide screening, referral, and educational services that allow patients to access the resources of the health care system.
3. Provide community oral health services in a variety of settings.
4. Facilitate patient access to oral health services by influencing individuals and/or organizations for the provision of oral health care.
5. Evaluate reimbursement mechanisms and their impact on the patients’ access to oral health care.
6. Evaluate the outcomes of community-based programs and plan for future activities.

1. Patient Care:

Assessment:

Systematically collect, analyze, and record data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of a variety of patients using methods consistent with medico-legal principles.

This Competency Includes:

1. Select, obtain, and interpret diagnostic information recognizing its advantages and limitations.
2. Recognize predisposing and etiologic risk factors that require intervention to prevent disease.
3. Obtain, review, and update a complete medical, family, social, and dental history.
4. Recognize health conditions and medications that impact overall patient care.
5. Identify patients at risk for a medical emergency and manage the patient care in a manner that prevents an emergency.
6. Perform a comprehensive examination using clinical, radiographic, periodontal, dental charting and other data collection procedures to assess the patient’s needs.

Diagnosis:

Use critical thinking making skills to reach conclusions about the patient’s dental hygiene needs based on all available assessment data.

This Competency Includes:

1. Determine a dental hygiene diagnosis.
2. Identify patient needs and significant findings that impact the delivery of dental hygiene services.
3. Obtain consultations as indicated.

Planning:

Collaborate with the patient and/or other health professionals, to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan that is patient-centered and based on current scientific evidence.

This Competency Includes:

1. Prioritize the care plan based on the health status and the actual and potential problems of the individual to facilitate optimal oral health.
2. Establish a planned sequence of care (educational, clinical, and evaluation) based on the dental hygiene diagnosis; identified oral conditions; potential problems; etiologic and risk factors; and available treatment modalities.
3. Establish a collaborative relationship with the patient in the planned care to include etiology, prognosis, and treatment alternatives.
4. Make referrals to other health care professionals.
5. Obtain the patient’s informed consent based on a thorough case presentation.

Implementation:

To provide specialized treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health. Assist in achieving oral health goals formulated in collaboration with the patient.

This Competency Includes:

1. Perform dental hygiene interventions to eliminate and/or control local etiologic factors to prevent and control caries, periodontal disease, and other oral conditions.
2. Control pain and anxiety during treatment through the use of accepted clinical and behavioral techniques.
3. Provide life support measures to manage medical emergencies in the patient care environment.

Evaluation:

Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented clinical, preventive, and educational services and modify as needed.

This Competency Includes:

1. Determine the outcomes of dental hygiene interventions using indices, instruments, examination techniques, and patient self-report.
2. Evaluate the patient’s satisfaction with the oral health care received and the oral health status achieved.
3. Provide subsequent treatment or referrals based on evaluation findings.
4. Develop and maintain a health maintenance program.

1. Professional Growth and Development:

1. Identify career options within health care, industry, education, and research and evaluate the feasibility of pursuing dental hygiene opportunities.
2. Develop practice management and marketing strategies to be used in the delivery of oral health care.
3. Access professional and social networks to pursue professional goals.

Journal of Dental Education Volume 68, Number 7