The steps to an effective and efficient dental hygiene exam
A bit of prep can help dental hygienists reduce their stress, increase collaboration with their dentist, and demonstrate to patients how the whole team works together.
Do you sometimes (or frequently) find yourself running behind, not quite prepared for your patients—even fumbling around in front of them in a rush to get it together?
Creating an efficient hygiene examination and handoff to the dentist serves multiple purposes: it increases case acceptance, demonstrates hygienists’ value as more than “teeth cleaners”—and significantly reduces stress all around.
Here are several straightforward suggestions Amber Auger, MPH, RDH, shares with her fellow hygienists to help them enjoy the many benefits of an effective hygiene exam.
Amber Auger, MPH, RDH, is an international lecturer, 2019 Sunstar/RDH Award of Distinction recipient, and creator of Thrive in the OP and the certified Functional RDH. With more than 24 years in the dental field and practicing hygiene since 2010, Amber empowers professionals through on-demand courses and coaching. She specializes in root-cause soft tissue management, practical protocols, and career development, inspiring clinicians to enhance patient care and achieve career satisfaction. Reach Amber at [email protected].
