By: Bill Gregg DDS
This topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Gregg gave permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers.
The occlusal examination during hygiene assessment is important to maintain a healthy patient dentition and to ensure that the temporomandibular joint is functioning properly.
This will help prevent any upcoming symptoms like muscle pain, which sometimes refers to teeth, hiding as odontogenic pain. Therefore, having an occlusal-focused hygiene exam is important, and the hygienist should work on increasing awareness of their patient.
There are certain things the hygienist should pinpoint. This will help them develop a deeper relationship with the patient as well.
Assessment of Occlusion during Hygiene Exams
During occlusal examination, there are some questions to keep in mind that the hygienists should get answers from their patients during the assessment.
- Do you experience any discomfort when consuming cold foods or beverages?
- Notice subtle wear facets – appearing as shiny spots on the edges of teeth.
- Can you get the patient to line up an incisal “chip” with a sharp edge of a lower front tooth?
- Does the patient have Fremitis? Ask them if they “Ever felt a slight movement in their upper front teeth when they lightly touch it and then grind side-to-side or front-to-back?”
- Are the Non-Carious Cervical Lesions (NCCL) from clenching or orthodontic expansion?
- Is the marginal tissue inflammation persistent, that can be a sign of clenching or an occlusal disharmony of a patient’s bite.
The Dental Hygienist’s Role in Occlusal Examination
Educate The Patients About Existing Malocclusions
The hygienist’s role is to raise patient awareness – to “discover” changes that can be brought to the doctor’s attention for long-term protection of the patient’s teeth.
Keeping The Doctor Informed About Any Findings
The doctor’s arrival for an exam is the time that real skill and teamwork begin. The hygienist takes the lead and informs the doctor what they (hygienist and patient together) have been discovering/discussing.
Many times, the most significant questions come when I am behind and feeling rushed. Our goal, practiced for years, is for me to get in and out of the hygiene room in under 5 minutes. Therefore, our total goal together is to encourage the patient to schedule another appointment for a more thorough evaluation of any changes or discoveries.
Encouraging the Patient to Come Back
Not all things can be done in a single dental visit. Lastly, the hygienist supports and reassures the patient about the need for a more thorough understanding to protect their teeth and eating for a lifetime. They confirm the uniqueness of a full understanding of teeth, harmonizing bite forces, and oral-systemic health and well-being.
Key Takeaways
A well-thought-out and choreographed hygiene appointment can truly establish you in the relationship-based sector of dental care.
To delve deeper into this cornerstone part of any practice, The Pankey Institute is the One Place to learn about occlusion.
From Essentials 1 to Mastering Equilibration series, you can find educational content and hands-on courses to unleash your full potential in practicing dentistry. Experience advanced education with well-known speakers and clinicians of dentistry.
