The Road Ahead

The new normal. Post-pandemic. No one knows what the immediate future of dental practice will be, as many return to offices and protocols that are fundamentally changed. Dental hygienists are often the face of the new appointment model, as they are the first practitioners whom returning patients see. In addition, hygienists have the additional responsibility of explaining the hows and whys of infection control to confused, hesitant patients.

This issue of Inside Dental Hygiene explores one way practices are adapting to these conditions through technology. We interviewed experts in teledentistry on how hygienists can use this to improve care and increase treatment acceptance. Although the adoption of teledentistry accelerated during the shut-down, it's likely that this model of care will become standard, even afterward, offering hygienists a fresh professional path.

Speaking of technology, this month's continuing education article discusses the use of dental lasers for hygiene treatments. Because guidelines vary greatly from state to state, the author explores the different levels of regulations and where hygienists can (or cannot) employ lasers.

You'll find more continuing education at our online portal at idh.cdeworld.com, where we regularly post new learning opportunities for hygienists. There you will find courses, webinars, and eBooks covering the latest in relevant science and procedures.

The publishers of Inside Dental Hygiene are grateful for your continuing support. Please feel free to reach out to us during this time, through our social media platforms or website, and let us know how we can help the community as you return to work.

The Importance of Dental Hygiene During the Pandemic

IDH spoke to Joseph Greenberg, DMD, a private practitioner in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and longtime educator, about recent assertions that dental hygiene is a nonessential service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the interview at aegisdentalnetwork.com/go/2016.