Staci A. Violante, RDH, BSDH, MSDH, has been a
practicing clinical dental hygienist for the past 20 years. She is also
a clinical professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene at New
York University College of Dentistry in New York. She is currently
pursuing a Doctorate of Health Science in Education degree at the
University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Violante is also
a member of the Dimensions of Dental Hygiene Peer Review Panel.
With a lack of evidence demonstrating the need to extract asymptomatic third molars, this decision must consider patient preference, clinical expertise, and mitigating factors.