Thanks to our Dental Hygienists and Administrative Professionals!

National Dental Hygienists Week starts April 10th

This year’s theme for National Dental Hygienists Week is “Oral Health for Total Health” and is focusing on the importance of maintaining good oral health practices and understanding the role of dental hygienists.

• There are approximately 215,150 dental hygienists in the United States. In Kansas, there are 2,874 dental hygienists.
• Dental hygienists provide preventative oral care under a dentist’s supervision. They clean patients’ teeth and examine their mouths for signs of damage, gingivitis, and other diseases. Hygienists teach patients how to maintain good oral health.
• The education of dental hygienists typically includes prerequisite courses prior to obtaining either a dental hygiene certificate or associate degree, which is typically a three-year program. Dental hygienists may go on to obtain a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Dental Hygiene.
• In Kansas, dental hygienists may obtain an Extended Care Permit (level one, two or three) which allows them to practice under indirect supervision in settings like schools or nursing homes. There are 32 dental hygienists that hold Extended Care Permits.

Thank you to HPC’s dental hygienists Christina Cook and Elisa Storbeck for their hard work and dedication to our patients!