BY CHRISTINE NATHE, RDH, MS
Great news for dental public health! The Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice (the Journal) just published its "Annual Report on Dental Hygiene." As stated on their website, the Journal presents original articles as well as reviews of articles on the results and outcomes of clinical procedures and treatment. The Journal advocates the use or rejection of a procedure based on solid, clinical evidence found in literature. The Journal's dynamic operating principles are explicitness in process and objectives, publication of the highest-quality reviews and original articles, and an emphasis on objectivity.
This report solidifies the premise that dental hygiene is becoming a discipline with evidence-based data and reports to guide the practice and science. Dental public health relies on science to guide practice, and data to report on trends and usage to enhance delivery and ultimately improve oral health in society. The fact that dental hygiene has garnered an annual report focusing on these areas is a tremendous boon to our advancement!
The table of contents is outlined in the table. Particularly interesting is the wide array of topics that are inherent to dental hygiene.
Topics range from risk assessment to clinical treatment and management to public health with an emphasis on professional growth. Being able to organize dental hygiene art and science into succinct areas emphasizes the growth in dental hygiene. It's evident that dental hygiene has arrived at a moment of opportunity that guest editor Terri Tilliss, RDH, PhD, so eloquently explains in her editorial. The value society is placing on oral health and the reputation of dental hygienists as preventive dental specialists has created a unique opportunity for dental hygiene. Additionally, cultural, economical, and political factors exist that can propel the practice of dental hygiene. The time is now to advance the art and science of dental hygiene, so that more people can benefit from the efforts of dental hygienists!
Note: Please read this annual report at journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-evidence-based-dental-practice/ RDH
CHRISTINE NATHE, RDH, MS, is director at the University of New Mexico, Division of Dental Hygiene, in Albuquerque, N.M. She is also the author of "Dental Public Health Research" (www.pearsonhighered.com/educator), which is in its third edition with Pearson. She can be reached at [email protected] or (505) 272-8147.
Table of contents for "Annual Report on Dental Hygiene" |
Common Risk Factors in the Management of Periodontal and Associated Systemic Diseases: The Dental Setting and Interprofessional Collaboration |
Obesity and Cumulative Inflammatory Burden: A Valuable Risk Assessment Parameter in Caring for Dental Patients |
Saliva and Biofilm-Based Diagnostics: A Critical Review of the Literature Concerning Sialochemistry |
Periodontal Debridement: Still the Treatment of Choice |
Periodontal Regeneration: Management of Periodontal Osseous Defects by the Periodontist-Dental Hygienist Team |
Management of Peri-Implant Disease: A Current Appraisal |
Mechanical Self-Performed Oral Hygiene of Implant Supported Restorations: A Systematic Review |
Tooth Whitening: What We Now Know |
A Best Practices Approach to Caries Management |
Risk Management Strategies for Reducing Oral Adverse Drug Events |
Focus on Fluorides: Update on the Use of Fluoride for the Prevention of Dental Caries |
Dental Hygiene Intervention to Prevent Nosocomial Pneumonias |
Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Update on Oral Health Management |
Under the Influence: Informing Oral Health Care Providers About Substance Abuse |
Confronting Human Papilloma Virus/Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Model for Interprofessional Collaboration |
Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia: An Elusive Disorder |
Laser Technology to Manage Periodontal Disease: A Valid Concept? |
Health Disparities and the Multicultural Imperative |
Expanding Oral Care Opportunities: Direct Access Care Provided by Dental Hygienists in the United States |
Are Dental Hygienists Prepared to Work in the Changing Public Health Environment? |
Elders' Oral Health Care |
Teledentistry: A Key Component in Access to Care |
Advancing Education in Dental Hygiene |
Empowerment Through Mentorship and Leadership |
Dental Hygiene and Research: Irrevocably Connected |
Critical Thinking in Patient Centered Care |
Technology Is a Critical Game Changer to the Practice of Dental Hygiene |
