Contents

Meeting Patients’ Pain Management Needs

Mastering the art of dental anesthesia helps support the highest levels of patient-centered care. By Michelle Brady, DDS, Bernadette Alvear Fa, DDS, CPT

Essentials of Operatory Preparation, Disinfection, and Sterilization

Oral health professionals must adhere to evidence-based guidelines to ensure the dental operatory is safe for both patients and clinicians. By Melissa Ray, RDH, BS, MS, Crystal Kanderis Lane, RDH, BS, MS, Jacqueline J. Freudenthal, RDH, MHE

Considering Combined Orthodontic-Periodontic Treatment

Research suggests a multidisciplinary approach involving orthodontics and periodontal therapy helps support positive patient outcomes. By Apoorv Goel, BDS, MS, MSD, Kameila S. Nedd, BS, Aierress C. Hanna, MHS, Justin J. Villanueva, DMD, MSD, DHL, Ankur Gupta, BDS, MDS

Treating Patients With Gastroparesis

Oral health professionals should be prepared to help patients with this disorder address the oral signs and symptoms. By Valerie Nieto, RDH, MS, Kristin Peltz, RDH, BSDH, Danielle Rulli, RDH, MS, DHSc

Understanding Fragile X Syndrome

Strategies for the safe and effective treatment of patients with this type of inherited intellectual disability. By Amy DeStaffany, RDH, BS

Disclosing Infectious Disease Status

Although the risk of transmission is low in dental settings, oral health professionals should be knowledgeable of any regulations requiring disclosure of an infectious disease. By Melanie E. Patterson, RDH, BSDH, Abbigale D. White, RDH, BS, BSDH, Kimberlynn N. Patzold, RDH, BSDH, Tracy King, RDH, MS, Faizan Kabani, PhD, MBA, MHA, RDH, FAADH, Leigh Ann Wyatt, RDH, MA, MS

Periodontitis and COVID-19

We are now more than 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and each day we understand more about its virulence, transmission, and effects. By Jill Rethman, RDH, BA

How to Discuss Longevity of Fluoride Varnish

How should I answer a patient who wants to know how long the benefits of fluoride varnish last? By Erin Relich, RDH, BSDH, MSA

March 2021 Marketplace For Dental Hygienists

A listing of featured products. By The Editors

EverSmile PreOp Pre-Treatment Rinse

Preprocedural Mouthrinse Mitigates Viral Transmission. By The Editors

Putting a Passion To Help Others Into Action To Reach the Underserved

Terri Chandler's, RDH, passion for helping others was one reason she wanted to be a dental hygienist. By Terri Chandler, RDH

Dental Hygienists’ Risk For COVID-19 Lower Than Originally Thought

A study recently published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene found that 3.1% of dental hygienists have had COVID-19, which is similar to the infection rate of dentists, but significantly lower than other healthcare professionals. By The Editors

March 2021 Social Commentary

Like Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s Facebook page to share your thoughts on posted questions. By The Editors

Utah Bill Would Require Medicaid to Directly Reimburse Dental Hygienists For Services

Utah’s Senate Bill 103, introduced by Senator Todd D. Weiler (R), would require the state’s Department of Health to directly reimburse dental hygienists for certain services provided through Medicaid. By The Editors

March 2021 Digital Agenda

Digital Agenda covers all that’s happening under Dimensions’ social media platforms. By The Editors

UNC Investigates Ability of Mouthrinse To Fight SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry are studying whether mouth­rinse can reduce the level of SARS-CoV-2 present in the oral cavity in order to hinder the virus’ ability to spread to others. By The Editors