Abstract
Purpose: Dental caries is the most common disease of children and remains a significant oral health problem worldwide for both children and adults. The traditional paradigm of treating dental caries solely by “drilling and filling,” brushing and flossing and lowering sugar intake has evolved. Current science in the management of dental caries suggests a clear focus on the reduction of responsible infectious agents, remineralization of non–cavitated lesions and minimally invasive restorative approaches whenever possible. The paradigm shift is away from a purely surgical approach toward more preventive and curative clinical protocols. This paper provides a review of this caries management methodology and explores the role of the dental hygienist in this paradigm change.
Footnotes
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Douglas A. Young DDS, MS, MBA, is an associate professor in the Department of Dental Practice at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry; Lucinda Lyon RDH, DDS, EdD is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Dental Practice at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry; Shelly Azevedo, RDH, MS is an assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.
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This study supports the NDHRA priority area, Clinical Dental Hygiene Care: Assess how dental hygienists are using emerging science throughout the dental hygiene process of care; Investigate how dental hygienists use emerging science to reduce risk in susceptible patients (risk reduction strategies).
- Copyright © 2010 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
