Deborah Vayon, RDH, MEd, is an assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston School of Dentistry. She has
been a practicing dental hygienist for more than 29 years and an educator for 14 years. Vayon has taught courses on pre-clinical and clinical technique, radiology, periodontology, and preventive dental hygiene, and has lectured at meetings on orofacial myofunctional therapy and periodontitis diagnosis. She can be reached at:
deborah.vayon@uth.tmc.edu.
Dental hygienists should be prepared to recognize the disorder, provide prompt referral for medical care, and educate patients on protecting their oral health.