Martha J. McComas, RDH, MS, is the director of dental hygiene at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, Colorado, and an adjunct associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in Ann Arbor. She has 23 years of clinical dental hygiene experience in general and periodontal practice. McComas serves as Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s patient education expert and on the journal’s Peer Review Panel.
My office manager was inquiring about charging for oral hygiene instruction (OHI) at every recare appointment. We review and discuss OHI in great detail with every patient, but is this something that we can bill for?
One of my patients drinks a lot of diet soda, which has softened her tooth enamel. What advice should I give her on choosing a toothpaste that will support oral health but not be too abrasive?
Products that aid in the remineralization process should be considered as part of an overall caries prevention and management plan for at-risk patients.
Staying abreast of the changing landscape of caries risk assessment, management, and prevention will help oral health professionals provide the highest quality patient care.