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    • Risk Assessment Fo
    1. Dental Hygiene
    2. Clinical Hygiene

    How much do you CARE?

    Feb. 21, 2014
    Philips has introduced a free online patient risk assessment tool called CARE (Customized Assessment and Risk Evaluator). The tool aims to assist dental hygienists and dentists in making treatment decisions. Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS, highlights some of CARE’s key features.
    Philips (the makers of Sonicare and ZOOM) introduced a free online patient risk assessment tool called CARE (Customized Assessment and Risk Evaluator) to assist dental hygienists and dentists while making treatment decisions. It will also help with patient education.(1) CARE is a comprehensive online assessment tool, developed by experts using industry-standard criteria and guidelines. It allows for customizable treatment recommendations based on assessed risk. It also provides personalized patient educational materials, and is not a stand-alone tool. It is meant to act as a supplement to your professional expertise, as suggested in evidence based care protocols. Assessments available are: Dental Caries; Periodontal Diseases; and Oral Pathology. The Online Risk Assessment Process is as follows:
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    Step 1: The Interview: where you answer simple yes and no questions.
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    Step 2: Assessment: Assess patient’s risk with the tool.
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    Step 3: Review Guidelines: Review and consider recommended guidelines.
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    Step 4: Set Protocol: Customize the protocol you want your patient to follow.
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    Step 5: Customize Handout: Personalize the handout with your office logo and contact information; you can then save for your records or print.
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    The CARE Tool was developed by the Center for Dental Hygiene Excellence, chaired by Michelle Hurlbutt, RDH, MSDH. Michelle is a full-time associate professor in the department of dental hygiene at Loma Linda University. Her board members were: Doug A. Young, DDS, EdD, MS, MBA – Caries Prevention, Detection and Management Gregory E. Oxford, DDS, MS, PhD – Board Certified Periodontist, Implant and Dental Surgeon Ken Tilashalski, DMD – Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Oral health care professionals can visit the Philips CARE website for further information. By clicking: Get Started,” you can begin a risk assessment." The “Watch Demo” button allows you to watch a short, two-minute video. There is also a button for a CE Webinar. Re-evaluation tools will be available at a later date in order to reassess your patient's risk. The CARE Tool can be used for children age 6 and older for dental caries, and for adults for caries, periodontal diseases, and oral pathology. The CARE Tool includes CDT billing codes.

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    While on the website, you can view a variety of Philips products, view clinical studies, and take part in Continuing Education. The Philips Learning Center’s dental professional courses designed to expand proficiency in many areas. They are available to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants.(2)

    Show your patients how much you CARE by assessing their disease risk, and providing early interventions.

    References 1. philipsoralhealthcare.com/CARE. 2. https://www.philipsoralhealthcare.com/en_us/philips_sonicare/additional_information.php.
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    Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS

    To read previous RDH eVillage FOCUS articles by Maria Perno Goldie, click here.

    To read more about assessment and dental hygiene, click here.