Patient Care
Patient care is an essential component of a dental hygienist as a healthcare professional. This skill involves clinical assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation (ADPIED). It is his or her responsibility to collect and analyze data to determine the best treatment options that are specialized to the patient in order to achieve optimal health. This will allow both the hygienist's and the patient's goals to be met.
PC.1 Systematically collect, analyze, and record diagnostic data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of a variety of patients using methods consistent with medicolegal principles.
Case Study
In the Fall Semester of 2025, I had the opportunity to provide extensive care for an individual with specific oral health needs. This patient required several hours and appointments of care in order to successfully complete his thorough treatment. Through this experience, I collected assessment data of the patient's current state, analyzed my findings, and developed an individualized treatment plan for this patient. This competency allowed me to develop skills that could benefit patients that I see in my profession in the future. After completion of this patient's cleaning, I compiled a PowerPoint to display my findings, linked below. As a dental hygienist, it is our duty to question, assess, and develop tailored advice and solutions in the best interest of the patient's oral health needs and goals.