Dos and don'ts for hygiene production: Reinvent your hygiene department

It is time for re-evaluation and restructuring of the hygiene department. A high percentage of the adult population has some form of periodontal disease. Therefore, the need for a strong hygiene program in your office is important. In addition, an ongoing upgrade of maintenance recording, documentation, and patient communication skills will be needed to maintain a high standard of care.

Understand the duties of an effective hygienist:

• Communication of dental and hygiene treatment plans
• Hygiene education
• Gathering diagnostic data
• Documenting existing conditions
• Periodontal treatment planning
• Monitoring of ongoing periodontal treatment

Don't sabotage the hygiene appointment. Hygienists should never allow any team member to refer to a "cleaning." Patients need no encouragement in this area. Too often, patients break appointments because they feel it's just a cleaning. Defeat this mentality through careful patient education, which helps patients accept more responsibility for their dental needs.