Open AccessDENTAL HYGIENISTS AS ESSENTIAL MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH CARE TEAM
Author(s) -
Jacqueline Juhl
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
odontología activa (en línea)/odontología activa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2588-0624
pISSN - 2477-8915
DOI - 10.31984/oactiva.v1i2.150
Subject(s) - oral health , oral health care , health care , medicine , nursing , dental care , family medicine , political science , law
Despite the advances in dental sciences, innovative oral health programs, and efforts dedicated by oral health professionals,globally, unmet oral disease, and the economic loss it causes, is growing. In the present, oral health care delivery systemsurgently need improvement. The introduction of dental hygienists as essential members of the health care team can contributeto improved and cost-effective health care outcomes. This paper provides definitions of dental hygienists from both, aninternational and the United States (U.S.) and describes their education, functions, and contributions to the health care team.