Thanks to the supportive dental hygiene faculty, I have developed various clinical skills that are up to date based on scientific research and the current understanding of the dental hygiene field. These skills will allow me to provide the best level of care for my patients. Some of the skills that I have developed are:
- Thoroughly review medical history to ensure that there is no contraindication in the care provided to the patients
- Exposing digital x-rays (HBWs, VBWs, PAs, FMS, and Panoramics) in order to verify oral pathologies, suspicious caries, bone loss and calculus that may or may not be clinically visible
- Perform and document extra-oral and intra-oral assessments as a part of oral cancer screening
- Evaluate and document the patient’s existing dental work
- Identify the signs of attrition, abrasion, abfraction, and erosion and make necessary adjustments
- Probe for patient’s sulcus depth with high accuracy to ensure the best treatment based on the patient’s case type
- Educate patients on the best oral hygiene techniques based on their needs, such as teaching them the modified Bass brushing technique, how to use the electric toothbrush properly, how to floss properly, best oral rinse and etc.
- Effective removal of calculus with various hand instruments
- Polish with air polisher or engine polisher to remove stains
- Apply sealants (with a rubber dam or cotton rolls) to teeth that have deep pits and fissures to reduce the risk of caries
- Apply fluoride gel tray or varnish to remineralize teeth
- Assess and place Arestin in patients who have pocket depths between 5-7mm
- Administer Oraqix and local anesthesia for pain management and patient comfort
