While the benefits of placing dental sealants far outweigh the risks associated with bisphenol A, oral health professionals should employ a variety of strategies to limit this exposure.

The same ergonomic tools used by dental hygienists to improve visual acuity may also help patients strengthen their self-care regimens.

Fluoride therapy, in addition to adjunctive over-the-counter remedies, can help patients with xerostomia relieve the dry mouth symptoms and reduce their risk of decay.

Preprocedural mouthrinsing reduces the number of transmissible microorganisms in dental aerosols—possibly decreasing infection risk.

By improving the ergonomics of clinical practice, dental hygienists can reduce the risk of career-ending injuries.

Calcium phosphate technologies may support the remineralization process, thereby helping to ensure the integrity of the tooth surface in the face of mineral loss.

Precautions must be taken to ensure both clinician and patient safety during ultrasonic instrumentation.

Clinicians should be aware of current Food and Drug Administration-approved recommendations when determining the appropriate dose for individual patients.

Dental hygienists play an integral role in helping orthodontic patients maintain adequate oral hygiene—a necessity for positive treatment outcomes.

These time tested instruments are critical to the success of nonsurgical periodontal therapy, and many types are available to help clinicians maximize their use.