Congratulations on reaching a significant milestone in your dental hygiene career!
As you step into the professional world, you embrace the vital responsibilities of health promotion and disease prevention. One of the most rewarding aspects of your career will be your engagement in shaping the future of oral health—not just for individual patients, but for the profession and the communities you serve. You are a compassionate educator, a skilled clinician, and a lifelong learner.
A significant portion of oral diseases you will encounter stems from undisturbed biofilm accumulation. Consider that many of your patients may not even understand what plaque biofilm is or why they should be concerned about bleeding gums. This presents an excellent opportunity for you to practice person-centered care, collaborating with patients to create individualized care plans that guide them toward optimal oral health.
For decades, prevention has been the cornerstone of dental hygiene education. However, effectively implementing simple preventive strategies remains a challenge, as does the burden of oral disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) urges oral health providers to focus more on a “health-centered preventive approach and less on a pathology-driven treatment approach.”1
“The primary focus of oral health professionals’ activities should be on delivering evidence-based preventive care and minimally invasive interventions, supporting patients in effective self-care practices and acting as advocates for policies to promote population oral health.”2 This challenge is also your opportunity.
Crest + Oral-B is here for you
Crest + Oral-B is committed to supporting you on your journey. We begin this support while you’re still in school and continue to offer resources for your continuing education throughout your career. As you evolve as a dental professional, you can rely on us to provide innovative products backed by extensive research and development, ensuring that you can recommend solutions that lead to healthier gums and teeth, predictable oral health outcomes, and patient success.
We are #hygienistproud to share our most in-demand resources to support your journey. Visit dentalcare.com for your patient education and continuing education needs (figure 1).
The 2025 ADHA Clinical Practice Guidelines
One hallmark of a true profession is its willingness to assume responsibility for the quality of care that its members provide. The ADHA Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice play a crucial role in maintaining consistency and quality in the profession (figure 2). These standards serve as a framework to guide dental hygienists in delivering safe, ethical, and evidence-based care. They ensure that individuals receive comprehensive and effective treatment while promoting ongoing professional growth and accountability.
Importantly, the standards are not a substitute for clinical judgment; rather, they complement the expertise of licensed professionals who are responsible for the care you provide.
The International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) white paper
The IFDH surveys Global Dental Professionals on various topics, and this white paper is a summation of the surveys. The surveys indicate a gap in the use of scientific evidence for product recommendations. As new graduates, you have the opportunity to bridge this gap by:
Staying informed: Regularly consult peer-reviewed journals and clinical practice guidelines.
Educating patients: Use clear, evidence-based explanations to help patients understand the benefits of recommended products and practices.
Implementing behavior change strategies: Employ models like motivational interviewing to identify patient motivations and set achievable goals.
Finding mentors: Mentors can help you in all aspects of practice, from clinical practice and equipment tips and tricks to facilitating career opportunities. I encourage you to look to those in your profession for mentorship and support.
References
1. Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly. Consolidated report by the director-general. World Health Organization. April 26, 2021. Accessed April 2025.
https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA74/A74_10Rev1-en.pdf
2. Global Oral Health Status report: towards universal health coverage for oral health by 2030. World Health Organization. Accessed April 2025.
https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/364538
