Dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to identify older adults who are socially isolated or lonely during patient care appointments. Dental hygiene’s core value of beneficence allows clinicians to assess for signs of isolation and…

A bleeding disorder is a condition in which the normal blood clotting process is interrupted due to a deficiency or defect of one or more of the clotting factors necessary to form a blood clot. A deficiency/defect of one or more clotting…

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes cognition impairment and memory loss, affecting activities of daily living. In the United States, an estimated 4.5 million people have AD and this figure is…

Oral healthcare is focused on preventing and treating oral diseases. Periodontal diseases and caries, while largely preventable, are pervasive. In most cases, they can be prevented by controlling plaque biofilm via toothbrushing,…

Although dental hygiene is a young profession comparatively speaking, the number of dental hygienists has grown significantly in recent years in correlation with the increase in the number of dental hygiene schools. The United States Bureau…

Dental caries remains the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults in the United States, even though it is largely preventable. Monitoring the prevalence of caries is key to preventing and controlling oral diseases.…

Until recently, the relationship between genetic disorders and periodontal diseases was unclear. As our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and systemic pathophysiology of numerous genetic disorders broadens, new research has…

Bacterial plaque is a soft, sticky, almost invisible biofilm containing millions of organisms that adhere to tooth surfaces, dental appliances, restorations, and oral mucosa. More specifically, oral biofilm is “a dense, transparent,…

Legionnaire’s disease is a respiratory illness associated with the inhalation or aspiration of water sources (aerosols) contaminated with Legionella pneumophila bacteria. There are more than 50 Legionella species with L. pneumophila being…

Affecting the quality of life for more than 10 million Americans, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are musculoskeletal conditions associated with pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and muscles of mastication. The…