Author
Michele P. Carr, RDH, MA, EdD
Michele P. Carr, RDH, MA, EdD, is faculty emeritus and former chair of the Division of Dental Hygiene at The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry in Columbus. She has been involved nationally and locally serving on numerous professional committees such as the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Council of Allied Dental Program Directors, ADEA Continuing Education Advisory Committee, American Dental Hygienists’ Association Council on Policy and Bylaws, Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association Government Relations Committee, and Committee on Dental Accreditation Dental Hygiene Review Committee. Carr currently serves on the Ohio State Dental Board and is a member of the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments.
How do you classify a patient who has returned to a practice after 3 years? I believe this patient should be scheduled for a comprehensive exam with X-rays with the dentist first before seeing me for a prophylaxis. However, one of my…
The Ethics of Infection Control
Dental hygienists must be prepared to address breaches in infection control to ensure the safety of patients and dental team members.
Appropriate Compensation
Each day I am in the clinic at 7 am, treating patients between 8 am and 6 pm. The owner of my practice has stated that I cannot bill the morning meeting hours, instrument cleaning hours, and any time past 6 pm. It takes me a few hours to…
How to Discuss Fees With Patients
How can I ascertain whether the fees for the procedures I am providing are appropriate? I have had patients ask me about the costs involved for specific treatments and I am not sure how to handle this.
Dentists can charge whatever they…
Dental Hygiene Vs Restorative Care
I need help starting a conversation with my dentist on why dental hygiene care needs to be completed before restorative work is begun.
What Type of Insurance Should I Purchase Before Starting Practice?
I am a recent graduate and am wondering what type of insurance I should purchase before starting practice.
Can a Practice Change the Way Dental Hygienists Are Paid?
The new owner of the practice I work in has made some changes regarding the way dental hygienists are paid. The dentist has asked that we decrease our hours if the schedule has openings either at the start or finish of the day, or following…
A New Paradigm in Interproximal Plaque Removal
Many floss alternatives are available that may help improve compliance and outcomes.
Lawsuit Pending Against Florida Dental Hygienist
A lawsuit is pending against a Florida dental hygienist who is being sued by her former employer for claiming the practice was involved in financial wrongdoing on Facebook. Here, Dimensions’ expert on ethics and risk management, Michele…
How Do You Define a Dental Hygiene Diagnosis?
A memo I was asked to sign regarding periodontal treatment guidelines does not mention the dentist’s responsibility for diagnosing periodontal disease, advising the patient, treatment planning, or referring to a periodontist. Am I outside…
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