JoAnn Gurenlian joins Jessica and Dave for a practical conversation about the purpose, evolution, and everyday importance of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice.
From understanding the difference between standards of care and scope of practice to applying professional standards in real-world clinical situations, this episode explores how standards can help dental hygienists strengthen clinical judgment, documentation, ethical decision-making, and patient outcomes.
What We Talked About
The purpose and evolution of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice
Why standards of care matter for every dental hygienist, regardless of practice setting
Common misconceptions about standards and scope of practice
How standards support clinical judgment, documentation, and patient outcomes
The relationship between standards, ethics, and professional accountability
How educators can help students move beyond memorization to implementation
Practical ways clinicians can incorporate the standards into everyday patient care
The future of standards and what dental hygienists need to understand moving forward
Call to Action
Take a fresh look at the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice and consider how they apply to your own clinical decision-making, documentation, patient care, and professional responsibilities. Whether you are a student, educator, or practicing dental hygienist, use the standards as a framework for putting evidence, ethics, and professional judgment into action.
Resources and Links
JoAnn Gurenlian on LinkedIn
ADHA Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice — Process of Care
AAP Staging and Grading Periodontitis Chairside Guide — Periodontal evaluation
Dental Hygiene: Theory and Practice by Darby & Walsh
ADA CDT Codes
Guest Contact: Joanng@adha.net
Co-host Contacts: jatkinson@endeavorb2b.com | dtorres@endeavorb2b.com
