The American Dental Hygienists’ Association Releases Position Paper Formally Recognizing Dental Hygiene Diagnosis by a Dental Hygienist

Chicago–September 26, 2005–The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) today announced the release of its position paper on dental hygiene diagnosis, formally recognizing this vital component of the process of patient care by the dental hygiene profession.

Citing various models and definitions for dental hygiene diagnosis offered by widely recognized dental hygiene experts and textbook authors, as well as the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (ADA CDA) and the American Dental Education Association, ADHA concluded that it is a professional obligation of dental hygienists to formulate a dental hygiene diagnosis.

“ADHA is releasing this significant position paper to acknowledge dental hygiene diagnosis as a key responsibility of the profession of dental hygiene,” said Katie L. Dawson, RDH, BS, ADHA president. “ADHA wants to ensure the public that their visit to the dental hygienist includes a high standard for preventive services from a highly qualified oral health care professional.”

While there are different models of diagnosis in the medical, dental and nursing professions, the dental hygiene diagnosis model follows that of nursing. This model expands the focus from disease orientation to the overall health of the individual.

The release of this position paper continues ADHA’s commitment to advancing the art and science of dental hygiene by promoting the highest standards of dental hygiene education and practice, as well as representing and promoting the interests of dental hygienists. Advancements in dental hygiene education and practice also contribute to improvements in the quality of oral health care for the public.

“ADHA has made crucial steps forward on behalf of the dental hygiene profession in recent years, such as the development of the advanced dental hygiene practitioner who will provide diagnostic, preventive, restorative and therapeutic services directly to the public,” said Dawson. “This position paper continues this ongoing effort to move the profession forward and bring appropriate recognition to the important service dental hygienists provide to the public.”

Registered dental hygienists are licensed oral health care professionals whose preventive services limit the extent of cavities and periodontal (gum) disease. They provide many services including cleaning teeth; taking X-rays; providing fluoride treatments; applying sealants; examining the condition of the mouth, teeth and gums; and educating patients to maintain optimal oral health. They are especially knowledgeable about the preventive aspects of oral health care and view prevention as their central focus.

Dental hygienists receive their education in college-level programs at colleges and universities accredited by the ADA CDA. The curriculum includes a rigorous program of basic sciences such as chemistry and microbiology; dental sciences such as tooth development and oral pathology; and dental hygiene theory and practice such as pain control, nutrition, oral health education, preventive counseling and periodontology. The classroom study is complemented throughout the program by extensive clinical instruction supervised by dental hygiene faculty.

A dental hygienist is eligible for licensure after graduating from a nationally accredited educational program and successfully completing both a written national board dental hygiene examination and a state or regional clinical examination. Registered (licensed) dental hygienists practice according to the requirements of individual state dental practice acts.

ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of the more than 120,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. For more information about ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit ADHA at http://www.adha.org.

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Editor’s Note: Katie L. Dawson, RDH, BS, ADHA president, is available for interviews on dental hygiene diagnosis, as well as a wealth of oral health topics. For a copy of the position paper or to schedule an interview with Ms. Dawson, please contact Pam Anton at 312-440-8943 or media@adha.net. You can also download a copy of the position paper from ADHA Online from the Professional Issues section (http://www.adha.org/profissues/). Check the ADHA Online Press Room for press releases, fact sheets and backgrounders: http://www.adha.org/media/.