hygiene the international C.E. magazine of dental hygiene

hygiene 1_2013 I 03 editorial _ hygiene I Celebrating 100 years of dental hygiene JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD President-Elect, International Federation of Dental Hygiene _How often do we get to celebrate a historical moment such as the 100th anniversary of dental hygiene? 2013 is truly a special year for those individuals who are dedicated to the prevention of oral disease. While gains have been made in some areas, there is still room for improving the oral and general health of the public. What might the next 100 years hold for this profession? Just as there are new technologies to be her- alded as presented in this publication, dental hygiene needs to continue to develop new ways of meeting the health needs of the public. Looking back, Alfred C. Fones conceptualized a hygienist as someone who wouldworkinschoolsystemstohelpchildrenlearnhowtobrushtheirteeth,reduceplaqueandminimize oral disease. Looking ahead, we find ourselves wanting to reach beyond the classroom and the clinical operatory to an arena of settings that expand the concept of health homes. Inter-professional or collaborative models of care may be the closest we can come to creating health homes for those in need. Being inclusive and capitalizing on the expertise of a group of health care pro- fessionals may help all providers bring the best to patient/client care. Working toward achieving health for individuals, families and communities can change the narrative about the health of America from one that’s defined by worries about how to obtain health resources to one that reflects a commitment to improved health for all. Remarkable as it may seem, the time arrived long ago when oral health professionals had to become advocatesforhealthcarebyfirstcapturingtheinterestofpolicymakerswhoneitherfullyunderstandnor feeltheneedtochangethehealthcaresystem.Despitethemanyreportsthatreflectthelessthanterrific healthofthenation,iforalhealthcareprovidersdonotadvocateforchange,policymakerswillnoteither. Toimprovetheoralhealthofthecountry,weneedtolookbeyondtoday—farintothefuture.Wemust create an educational experience that changes the culture of dental hygiene science and practice. We muststriveforcreatingandtestingnewmodelsofhealthcare,lookingatoutcomesasameanstoanend. Wemustteachthedentalhygienistsofthefuturetobeaccountableforachievingprevention.Todothat, hygienists will need to be flexible, alert for opportunities and willing to chart new territory. Whenwegetto2113,let’shopethoselookingbackatusseeusasthepioneerswhowereabletoeradi- cate oral diseases — and enable the public to enjoy a lifetime of health. JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD Professor and Graduate Program Director Department of Dental Hygiene Idaho State University President-Elect, International Federation of Dental Hygiene