The purpose of this study was to determine if dental hygienists in Minnesota have access to mechanical scaling equipment in their dental practices as well as determine how frequently and for what purposes they use this equipment. Data were collected by means of a written questionnaire mailed to 297 randomly selected licensed dental hygienists in the state of Minnesota. The final number of respondents included in the the study was one hundred ninety four. Data were compiled and analyzed using the SPSSX package of descriptive statistics. Results of this study indicate that the majority of the practicing hygienists have a mechanical instrument available in each dental hygiene operatory. Hygienists are using mechanical instruments the majority of the time for heavy calculus and periodontal therapy, most of the time for moderate calculus, and infrequently for periodontal maintenance and light calculus.
Learning Objectives: Learners will be able to: 1. Describe the difference between traditional scaling and innovative ultrasonic methods. 2. Explain when sonic and ultrasonic methods might be most useful in dental practices
Keywords: Clinical Lab Services,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.