Maintain the Sharp Cutting Edge of Periodontal Instruments

Sharp instruments are crucial to achieving successful outcomes in nonsurgical periodontal therapy. By Khrystyna Vyprynyuk, RDH, BS, MHS, Annie Chitlall, RDH, BS, MHS

Imaging Techniques for Patients with Cleft Lip and/or Palate

Various imaging modalities play an important role in the diagnosis and pre- and post-surgical phases of orofacial cleft therapy. By Gustavo M. Santaella, DDS, MS, PhD, Bruno C. Azevedo, DDS, MS, William C. Scarfe, BDS, FRACDS, MS

Focus on Caries Prevention

Risk assessment and management are key to a caries prevention strategy. By Jennifer E. Fehrenbacher, LDH, MEd, CDA

The Case for a Doctoral Degree

By offering further education in dental hygiene, the science 
and practice of the profession will advance. By Robin Gatlin, RDH, MS

Oral Health Effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

A greater knowledge of this disorder will help clinicians successfully provide dental care to this vulnerable population. By Audra E. Haynes, RDH, MPH, Isis Marsh, RDH, MS

Improve the Oral Health of Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

While the research is mixed on whether this population is at increased risk for dental caries, dental hygienists are well-positioned to help these patients maintain their oral health. By Sefa S. Laurence, MSDH, CDA, Lee Melvin, DMD, Ann M. Bruhn, RDH, BSDH, MS

Caring for the Patient with a Spinal Cord Injury

Understanding the clinical implications and the barriers to care faced by patients with this type of disability is key to helping them maintain their oral health. By Camille Biorn, RDH, BS, Leciel Bono, RDH-ER, MS

Supporting Oral-Systemic Health

Medical-dental integration is key in the effort to improve patients’ overall health. By Sean G. Boynes, DMD, MS, David M. Krol, MD, MPH, FAAP, Mark Deutchman, MD

Progress and Perspective

Every February, oral health professionals celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM). An initiative of the American Dental Association, the commemoration is meant to bring attention to the oral health needs of children and adolescents with a specific theme. By Jill Rethman, RDH, BA

Mouthrinses for High-Risk Kids

How effective are antimicrobial mouthrinses in reducing caries prevalence among children assessed as high risk? By Michael W. Roberts, DDS, MScD

Sometimes You Need to Go Off Course

Throughout the past decade, I have grown professionally and personally on so many levels. By Katie Melko, RDH, MS

Dimensions of Dental Hygiene Celebrates 20 years

When Lorene G. Kent, RDH, BA, decided to launch a new journal for her dental hygienist colleagues—Dimensions of Dental Hygiene—more than 20 years ago, she knew exactly who she wanted to lead it: Anna M. Pattison, RDH, MS. By The Editors

Grants Available to Support Dental Hygiene Student Research

The National Center for Dental Hygiene Research & Practice invites dental hygiene graduate students to apply for funding to support their research thesis or capstone projects. By The Editors

Proton Pump Inhibitors May Serve as Adjunctive Therapy for Periodontitis

A study that sought to establish whether a relationship exists between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and periodontal disease severity has demonstrated that patients with periodontitis who use PPIs have fewer teeth with elevated probing depths. By The Editors

Partnership Offers Training in Infection Control

A partnership between the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention and United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has spawned new opportunities for ongoing training in infection prevention protocols. By The Editors

Long-Haul COVID-19 Risk Examined

A study by Oxford University and the National Institute for Health Research in the United Kingdom has found that 37% of those who have recovered from COVID-19 still experience at least one side effect 3 months to 6 months later. By The Editors

February 2022 Digital Agenda

Digital Agenda covers all that’s happening under Dimensions’ social media platforms. By The Editors

February 2022 Social Commentary

What do you think is the most important factor in supporting oral health throughout a lifetime? By The Editors