Completing a dental hygiene treatment plan, which includes patients problems, the dental hygiene plan, and the dental hygiene appointment sequence

As a dental hygienist, it is my goal to formulate the ideal treatment plan for my patients so they will have the best cleaning and maintenance so down the road in their oral health future, their oral cavity will be in the best and healthiest condition. The treatment plan will vary from different patient cases. Such services include extraoral examinations, intraoral examinations (including oral cancer screenings), gingival and periodontal classifications, charting, comprehensive medical histories, plaque index via disclosing, detailed patient education, nutritional counseling, full-mouth series of X-rays, rechecking our work, and, of course, actual clinical care. The truth of the matter is that paying attention to the details about our patients' health should be the cornerstone of treatment planning. Without a baseline evaluation and proper assessment, we have nothing to measure subsequent changes in health. There is new information suggesting a link between oral health and systemic disease. This very crucial information calls for a more precise approach to treatment planning. hygienists should concentrate on the long term rather than short gains. It is this slow and steady methodology that will yield the best result for all involved. Treatment planning for life begins with the one small step of developing lasting relationships.