Utah’s Senate Bill 103, introduced by Senator Todd D. Weiler (R), would require the state’s Department of Health to directly reimburse dental hygienists for certain services provided through Medicaid.

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month.

Graduating from dental hygiene school at Lake Superior College in Duluth Minnesota in 2006, Sherry Morrissey, RDH, began her first job as a dental hygienist in Fosston, Minnesota.

The Montana Board of Dentistry voted on Friday, March 8, to broaden the scope of practice for dental hygienists by allowing those with advanced training to apply silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in public health settings.

As dental hygienists play important roles in prevention and education, broadening their scope of practice is integral to improving access to much needed oral health services.

In the 11th edition of this annual feature, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene recognizes the best and the brightest in academia, clinical practice, industry, “mover and shaker,” public health, and research.

These dental hygienists represent the best of the best within the areas of academia, clinical practice, industry, “mover and shaker,” public health, and research.

Even though dental hygienists have been successfully administering local anesthesia for more than 40 years, consensus on national education standards and utilization guidelines has yet to be achieved.

Myriad resources are available for dental professionals who serve in this important role.