advancing and protecting the profession of dental hygiene in Michigan for over eighty years

The Dental Hygienist Defined...

Dental Hygienist-
A preventive oral health professional who has graduated from an accredited
dental hygiene program, licensed in dental hygiene, who provides
educational, clinical, research, administrative, and therapeutic services
supporting total well being through the promotion of optimal oral health.
MDHA HOD 16-94

Dental Hygienist-
Dental health specialist whose primary concern is the maintenance of oral
health and the prevention of oral disease.
Esther Wilkins "The Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist" Eighth Edition

 

The definition in the Occupational Regulations Section of the Michigan Public Health Code:
"Practice as a dental hygienist."  It means practice at the assignment of a dentist in that specific area of dentistry based on specialized knowledge, formal education, and skill with particular emphasis on preventive services and oral health education.

 

Dental Hygiene in the late 1800's was a term applied mainly to the effort
on the part of the public to maintain clean mouths.
Hx of the ADHA 1923 to 1982 - Wilma Motley

 

1965 - April Conference of Dental Hygiene Educators and Special Committee
on Manpower and Auxiliaries of the AADS urged dental schools to establish
dental hygiene programs and defined the practice of dental hygiene as:
The practice of dental hygiene consists primarily of the performance of
preventive services as well as supportive and cooperative duties that may
be, by virtue of the dental practice acts, assigned by the dentist, and
consistent with the dental hygienists' qualifications and abilities, and
further, Resolved, that this suggested definition of dental hygiene practice be
transmitted to the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental
Association.

1966 - A bill passed in the US Congress:
The dental hygienist, by direction of the dentist and within limits of
dental practice acts, functions in general and specialty dental office
practice, public health and other governmental agencies, schools,
hospitals, industrial organization, departments of research and the Armed
Forces, performing duties which may include, but not necessarily limited to:
Clinical Services: lists many
Educational Services:lists many
Community Services: lists many
   Pg. 239 from Hx of the ADHA book of Wilma Motley

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