Putting the Pieces Together

Nancy Miller, RDH, BA

The evolution of the dental hygiene department in a general practice from being a "loss leader" dependant on only prevention procedures, to becoming a self-sufficient, selfsustaining invaluable subdivision requires understanding all the pieces of the perio puzzle.

Hygienists must wear different hats all day long: student, educator, clinician, psychologist, promoter, cheerleader, business manager and team member. All these skills and more are needed to promote optimal health for patients.

Knowing what causes perio disease, the latest risk factors and perio systemic links, and the latest mechanical and chemotherapeutic treatment of the disease are parts of the puzzle. Knowing when to refer to a periodontist, when and how to treatment plan for the general practice, and how to gain acceptance of treatment from patients is another piece. Another chunk is knowing how to deal with insurance benefits so a practice is insurance aware and not insurance driven. A huge piece is getting the patient to accept responsibility for their disease and the steps to control it.

This half or full day course reviews: Etiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Therapies, Treatment Planning and Insurance Coding, and Case Acceptance in relation to Periodontal Disease.

OBJECTIVES

At the completion of this seminar, participants will be able to:

• IDENTIFY who needs perio therapy and why.
• CHOOSE from treatment options currently available.
• DISCUSS scaling/root planing vs. debridement.
• DEVELOP a framework for a Perio Program in their practice.
• KNOW how to use appropriate insurance codes.
• PRESENT treatment options in a manner to gain acceptance.

This lecture is recommended for all team members interested in an improved understanding of dental hygiene therapy.