Cheryl Westphal, RDH, MS, is assistant dean for Allied Health Programs, director of Dental Hygiene Programs, and clinical associate professor at NYU College of Dentistry. She is an editor and contributing author to the second edition of Comprehensive Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist. Westphal is an editor of the web-based instruction to accompany Comprehensive Periodontics and for the 9th edition of the textbook Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist edited by Esther Wilkins, RDH, DMD. She is also an editorial advisory board member for Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.
Fluoride is critical to improving oral health but dental hygienists must be aware of patients’ systemic fluoride intake to reduce the risk of fluorosis.