Download Literacy In Dental Hygiene

Literacy In
Dental Hygiene
Who sponsors the literacy in
dental hygiene in
communications between
clinicians and patients?
Paige Dunn
What Is A Discourse
Community?
 James
Paul Gee says that “Discourses are ways
of being in the world; they are forms of life which
integrate words, acts, values, beliefs, attitudes,
and social identities as well as gestures, glances,
body positions, and clothes.” (Gee, 526)
 There are different types of discourse
communities


Primary
Secondary
What is a dental hygienist?
 According
to Wilkens, “The dental
hygienist is a licensed primary healthcare
professional, oral health educator, and
clinician who provides preventive,
educational, and therapeutic services
supporting total health for the control of
oral diseases and the promotion of oral
health”. (Pg. 4)
Roles of Dental
Hygiene
“Dental hygienists are found
serving in several interrelated
roles, including clinician,
educator, researcher,
administrator/manager, and
advocate” (Wilkens, pg. 5)
Dental Hygiene Care
 Types



of services offered
Preventative Services
Educational Services
Therapeutic Services
Preventative Services
 “Preventative
services are the methods employed
by the clinician and/or patient to promote and
maintain oral health” (Wilkens, pg. 6).
 There are three stages of preventative services:



1.) Primary-primary services prevent the disease from
actually happening.
2.) Secondary- secondary services treat early
diseases, and prevent the disease from progressing
further.
3.) Tertiary- tertiary services are services that repair
the oral cavity back to a level of function.
Educational Services
 “Educational
services are the strategies developed
for an individual or a group to elicit behaviors
directed toward health” (Wilkens, pg. 6).

Patient’s understanding is key to the success of dental
hygiene treatment!!!!
Therapeutic Services
“Therapeutic
services are
clinical treatments designed to
arrest or control disease and
maintain oral tissues in health”
(Wilkens, pg. 6).
Now that you understand
what a dental hygienist is,
and the functions of a
dental hygienist….Let’s
talk about the sponsors of
literacy in the dental
hygiene discourse.
Sponsors of Literacy
Literacy between clinicians and patients…
Different Types of Patients Call
For Different Communications!
 Types
see:




of patients that a hygienist might
A patient in Orthodontic appliances
(braces)
A patient wearing prosthetics (dentures or
partials)
Patients with special needs
Patients with mental disabilities
The Orthodontic Patient


“An individualized preventive program that
includes a specific plan of instruction, motivation,
and supervision is essential for the patient with
orthodontic appliances” (Wilkens, pg. 458)
Factors to teach the patient with orthodontic
appliances:



“The significance of dental biofilm around
orthodontic appliances and teeth” (Wilkens, pg. 469)
“How to apply the toothbrush (power or manual) and
adjunctive devices to remove dental biofilm from the
bracket, the arch wire, and the teeth” (Wilkens, pg.
469)
“The frequency of professional follow-up during and
after orthodontic therapy” (Wilkens, pg. 469)
Field Research of Patients With
Orthodontic Appliances
 Gingivitis
is very common!
 Most patients with braces do not floss, making a
very high plaque score!
 Stress the importance of oral hygiene!
A Patient Wearing Dental
Prostheses
 “Awareness
of the types and characteristics of
prostheses, supporting tissues, and the common
issues a patient may experience with prostheses is
needed to provide information, comprehensive
oral hygiene instruction, and treatment for the
patient who has prostheses” (Wilkens, pg. 473)
 Factors to teach the patient:

“Significance of regular maintenance appointments:
intraoral/extraoral screening for pathology, especially
oral cancer screening; and adjustments if needed”
(Wilkens, pg. 487)
Field Research
 Teach
the patient the importance of caring for
the prostheses just as they would for their regular
teeth.
 Conduct at home screenings of oral tissues
 Stress importance of oral hygiene even with a
prostheses
Treatment of Patient’s With
Mental Disabilities
 “More
people with developmental disabilities are
seeking dental care in private and community
settings as the trend towards deinstitutionalization
grows and emphasis on special training and
education in local agencies and schools
increases” (Wilkens, pg. 969)
 Factors to teach the patient:


“Why assistance from others is an important
supplement to the patient’s own efforts” (Wilkens,
pg. 979)
“How to use and show their cooperation skills”
(Wilkens, pg. 979)
Field Research
 Listen
to the patient’s needs and wants.
 Be understanding, yet stern.
 Provide the best possible care, with maintaining
patient comfort.
Patients With Special Needs
(Spinal Cord Injuries)


“The oral cavity has added significance for those who
have lost sensation in other areas of the body” (Wilkens,
pg. 912)
Four-handed dentistry:



“Four handed dentistry is a necessity” (Wilkens, pg. 912)
“Assist with all procedures to make the total treatment
time as brief and efficiently used as possible without
sacrificing patient comfort” (Wilkens, pg. 912)
For treating wheelchair bound patients:

“Allow frequent changes of the patient’s body position by
lifting and turning at intervals to prevent pressure sores and
pain in muscles and joints” (Wilkens, pg. 912).
Field Research
 Monitor
the patient very closely
 Assistant should provide suction
 Always listen to the patient, they know their body
and their condition better than the hygienist
does.
 Be prepared to work with caregivers.
The End(: