Oregon Hospital Integrates Dental Hygienist Into Its Care Team

Since 2020, Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, which serves Linn County, Oregon, has included a dental hygienist on its care team. The hospital-based dental hygienist has an expanded care permit which allows him or her to practice without a dentist present. The hygienist performs patient assessments, provides treatment, and offers patient education regarding oral health. An employee of Capitol Dental Care, a network of dental providers throughout the state of Oregon, the dental hygienist position is funded by InterCommunity Health Network Coordinated Care Organization Delivery System Transformation Committee, which is part of the Samaritan healthcare system. The program has been a success and the hospital hopes it will become a model for other healthcare systems to follow. Click here to read more.