Introduction
The dental hygienist profession is critical for providing patients with high-quality medical services. People visit the dental hygienist regularly to check the state of their teeth and oral cavity and to ensure that the pathological processes do not begin. It is easier to prevent the development of problems with the oral cavity by supporting a high level of hygiene compared to solving the serious issues that have already harmed the patient. At the same time, the dental hygienist’s responsibilities are not limited to supporting the state of the oral cavity and teeth. These specialists also inform patients about the proper ways to support hygiene. In addition, the way they interact with patients influences people’s attitudes toward dental services.
While preparing the information for this research, I consulted the scholarly articles published in academic journals within five years to ensure the data was relevant. I searched for the material on the National Library of Medicine website and PubMed. The sources reflect the complicated essence of the dental hygienist’s work. The purpose of the research is to expand my knowledge about the dental hygienist profession to avoid controversies in my future career.
Discussion
The first article that helped me to research the topic was written by Hamasaki et al. entitled “Association Between Dentist-Dental Hygienist Communication and Dental Treatment Outcomes.” It was published in the scholarly journal Health Communication in 2017, which makes it a credible and relevant source of information. The authors state that the way the dental hygienist interacts with the patient is critical for future communication (Hamasaki et al. 288).
It directly impacts the patient’s attitude to the hygiene of the oral cavity and the frequency of their visits to the hospital (Hamasaki et al. 288). It allows assuming that the personality of the dental hygienist and their skills in establishing a connection with the patient are vital components of successful professional work. This information is rarely discussed while analyzing the responsibilities of the dental hygienist. It is possible to imagine when the patient comes to the dental hygienist and is criticized by the therapist instead of receiving good advice. It visits the professional the unpleasant experience due to the dental hygienist’s characteristics and inability to establish adequate communication with the patient.
I found the article by Jongbloed-Zoet, “The Role of the Dental Hygienist in Promoting Oral Health,” in the academic journal International Journal of Dental Hygiene using a PubMed search. It was written in 2020 and is a detailed review of the significant points concerning the profession. The authors state that dental hygienists are responsible for educating patients about the rules for supporting the health of their oral cavities and teeth. The investigation shows that not all people understand how to clean their teeth properly (Jongbloed-Zoet 127). This information explains dental hygienists’ duties, which is critical in understanding the profession. Most people think that dental hygienist provides patients with the services to support the health of their teeth.
The article “Physicians’ Perceptions of the Role of the Dental Hygienist in Interprofessional Collaboration: A Pilot Study,” written by Luebbers et al., was published in the Journal of Interprofessional Care in 2021. It is the relevant academic source that features information from the survey that focuses on the dental hygienist’s role in the healthcare background. This article expands the knowledge of the interactions between dental hygienists and other healthcare providers. It is critical to remember that dental hygienists work with surgeons and physicians, and the barriers in their communication harm the population’s health (Luebbers et al. 132).
It is possible to state that interaction with other healthcare specialists is equally essential as communication with the patient. When there are problems in interaction with other healthcare providers, dental hygienist cannot fulfill their potential in working with patients.
The last article by Smereka et al., “Medical Emergencies in Dental Hygienists’ Practice,” is available in PubMed, which is a credible source of information. It was published in the journal Medicine in 2019, and it features descriptions of medical emergencies that happen in the dental hygienist’s work. It allows me to make my understanding of the profession more specific and practice-based. The article focuses on the problems that dental hygienists who work in various environments, including hospitals, schools, and private facilities, must overcome (Smereka et al. e16613). The absence of the necessary life-saving equipment is one of these significant issues (Smereka et al. e16613).
There are situations when patients suddenly need an oropharyngeal, self-expanding bag resuscitator, oxygen source, and supraglottic airway device (Smereka et al. e16613). There are no such facilities where dental hygienists work in most places because it is not supposed that the patient’s state can aggravate critically. Sometimes, it becomes a significant problem that endangers the patient’s life. This information shows that the profession of the dental hygienist is connected with risks to the patient’s health, which is not usually mentioned in discussing this specialization. It is regarded as a profession that does not work when the patient’s life is endangered.
Conclusion
The sources used for the research on the dental hygienist profession were found in scholarly journals using PubMed search, which is a credible source of information. They allow me to explain, illuminate, and expand my knowledge on the future dental hygienist career. The vital detail is that this data provides me with practical insight into the peculiarities of this specialization. Therefore, this data helps me understand the relevant theoretical issues critical in the dental hygienist profession, the responsibilities of this specialization, and the practical application of this knowledge.
Works Cited
Hamasaki, Tomoko et al. “Association Between Dentist-Dental Hygienist Communication and Dental Treatment Outcomes.” Health Communication, vol. 32, no. 3, 2017, pp. 288-297. Web.
Jongbloed-Zoet, Corrie. “The Role of the Dental Hygienist in Promoting Oral Health.” International Journal of Dental Hygiene, vol. 18, no. 2, 2020, p. 127. Web.
Luebbers, Jessica et al. “Physicians’ Perceptions of the Role of the Dental Hygienist in Interprofessional Collaboration: A Pilot Study.” Journal of Interprofessional Care vol. 35, no. 1, 2021, pp. 132-135. Web.
Smereka, Jacek et al. “Medical Emergencies in Dental Hygienists’ Practice.” Medicine, vol. 98, no. 30, 2019, p. e16613.