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today AEEDC Dubai 2016

science & practice 6 AEEDC Dubai 2016 nSince the recent launch of the Emirates Dental Hygienists’ Club in the UAE, it could not be a more appropriate time to discuss the growingroleofthehygienistinthe twenty-first century. The preva- lence of preventable dental dis- ease within the region prevails, andtheneedforafocusonthecore strategy to overcome such disease needs to be addressed. The dental hygiene profession was founded over 100 years ago by Alfred Fones in the US for the pro- motion of oral health and preven- tion of disease. The fundamental ethical responsibility of the dental hygienist is the pursuit of the pro- motion and restoration of oral health. The dentist’s role certainly encompassesthepromotionoforal healthandpreventionofdiseasein diagnosis and operative care; how- ever, it is important to highlight that the main difference is that the scope of practice for a dentist is far greater than for a dental hygienist. This is where the significance lies in the strengths and key focus of these dental care professionals and the key role of both in overall sustainable oral health care for everypatientinservingthepublic. In a recent survey carried out among dental professionals in the UAE, it became evident that a very small percentage of dentists actu- ally work with dental hygienists. It found further that a limited num- ber of dentists are proactive about integrating hygienists into their practice model. This highlights the potential requirement to further incorporate dental hygiene into dentistry if the existing inequali- ties of oral disease are to be over- come. This will require an ex- tendedworkforceofdentalhygien- ists, the expansion of educational facilities and further efforts to- wards including dental hygienists in existing practices in both public and private health care. Another recent survey carried out in the region asked dentists how many of their patients are healthy. Regrettably, only a very small percentage reported having patientswithgoodoralhealth.This again highlights the need for the skill set of the dental hygienist in oral health promotion and preven- tion of disease. According to the findings of a furthersurveyintheregion,dental hygienists felt that very little of their total skill set was being utilised. This reflects the further need to ensure current dental hy- gienists’skillsarebeingusedtothe maximum potential. InaEuropeanreport,ithasbeen identified that the UK, Spain, Swe- den and Switzerland are ranked as thehealthiestinEuropeinrelation to the low prevalence of severe pe- riodontal disease, supporting the roleofthedentalhygienistincoun- trieswhereafacilitativemedico-le- gal framework exists to allow the inclusion of dental hygienists in ef- fectiveperiodontalcare.Ithasalso been identified in an international report that oral health needs and the delivery of care are partly mis- matched,indicatingafurtherneed for the development and integra- tionoftheroleofthedentalhygien- ist. It has been proposed that ad- vancing education in dental hy- giene will achieve better oral and overall health for more people, by transforming the way dental hy- giene graduates are prepared for the future to serve the health and wellness needs of society. Increas- ing clarity on the identity of the profession will affect how it is per- ceived by the public. In order to reach this point, every member of thedentalteamneedstobefullyon boardregardingtheroleoftheden- tal hygienist and invest time in achieving the optimal success. A global re-evaluation of re- quirements is needed to ensure that there is greater utilisation of hygienists in the provision of den- talcarewithefficientandeffective use of health care resources. Throughevaluatingthedentalpro- fession’s ability to provide care within the core skill sets, it is mandatory that the necessary stepsbetakentoensuremaximum effectiveness of an integrated den- talandhealthcareprofessiontoop- timise on reducing the prevalence of preventable dental disease. It has been advised in a recent extensivereportthatfuturepublic health care policies will be orien- tated towards recommending be- havioural support and adopting the common risk factor approach for oral health promotion. Dental hygienistsinpublichealthcareset- tings can positively affect patients by offering preventive care out- reach services. Improvement in the quality of life for individuals was noted through improved health outcomes. In light of the growing profes- sion, it is reassuring to know that companies supporting the profes- sion of dental hygiene, such as Young Dental, will now be accessi- ble to hygienists in the region. Ac- cessibility to certain resources has previouslybeenlimited,anditisof keyimportancethattheprofession be supported and have access to quality products in the innovation of dental hygiene. Young Dental partners with hygienists in order to understand their everyday needs and develops products that meet the requirements of the pro- fession, such as Vera Advanced Bright Prophy Paste. Young Dental is kindly sponsor- ingmylectureandatAEEDCcanbe found in Hall 6, Booth C09.7 Theroleofthehygienistinthetwenty-firstcentury By Victoria Wilson, UAE 5 VictoriaWilsoncurrentlylivesinDubaiwork- ing as a Dental Hygienist at Dr Roze & Associ- atesDentalClinic.Sheisalsofounderandpres- ident of the first official Dental Hygienists Organisation in the Middle East under the EmiratesMedicalAssociationandDubaiDen- tal Society. She will be presenting a paper as part of the official congress programme on Wednesday,09:45–10:45,inHallA. 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