Contents

This Month’s Features

Brush up on the basics of comprehensive periodontal therapy to help your patients maintain the health, comfort, esthetics, and function of their dentition. By Donald S. Clem, DDS

Posture Makes Perfect

Follow these ergonomic strategies to improve your musculoskeletal health. By Martha J. Sanders, PhD, MSOSH, OTR/L, CPE, Claudia Michalak Turcotte, CDA, RDH, MS

Current Trends in Tooth Whitening

Safety, efficacy, and cost are important considerations when recommending whitening treatments to your patients. By Marilynn Heyde, RDH, MPH, Kristi Wilkins, RDH, MA, Yiming Li, DDS, MSD, PhD

Fight Gingivitis with Therapeutic Mouthrinses

Help patients improve their self-care regimens with these important adjuncts to mechanical plaque control. By Lynn Marsh, RDH, EdD

Sealants A to Z

Reduce the risk of caries with effective sealant placement. By Steven P. Hackmyer, DDS

Cannabis Use and Xerostomia

As marijuana use increases in the United States, dental hygienists need to understand its effects on the oral cavity. By Analia Veitz-Keenan, DDS, Debra Ferraiolo, DMD, FAGD

5 Myths About Periodontal Instrumentation

Magnified viewing of subgingival and root areas debunks some common theories about root instrumentation technique. By Nancy Kiehl, MSEd, BSDH, RDH

Continuing Education

Heart Safe Dental Care

Ensure the safety of patients with cardiovascular disease by keeping up-to-date on the guidelines for prophylaxis. By Peter B. Lockhart, DDS, Andrea Herman, RDH

Increase Your Cultural Competence

How to improve communication with a culturally diverse patient population. By Lynn Marsh, RDH, EdD

Xerostomia and Oral Disease

Xerostomia or perceived dry mouth has been described as "the symptom that acts like a disease." By Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, FSCDH