Clean Between: Improve Interproximal Plaque Removal and Educate Patients Chairside

Categories: Dental Hygiene

Author(s): Emily Boge, MPA, RDH, CDA

Course Type: Self-instruction journal and web based activity

Target Audience: Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienist, Dentists from novice to advanced

Educational Objectives

The overall goal of this article is to provide dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants with documented information regarding current trends, research, and potential solutions for biofi lm removal in between the teeth. Following the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe current trends for manual biofilm removal, including alternative practices for biofilm removal with power-driven patient homecare options;
2. Review proper techniques for educating patients on manual plaque removal;
3. Describe options for patient care delivery, coordinating research and industry education with chairside recommendations and patient education.

Abstract

Despite widely recognized evidence that most severe problems with gum tissue health occur between the teeth, effective methods for the removal of interproximal plaque and biofi lm have proved to be a controversial topic in today’s dental industry. One clinician may promote the benefits of manual plaque and biofi lm disruption using an interproximal aid the patient accepts for compliance, while another clinician, sometimes practicing in the same office swears only flossing can be considered the gold standard in home care and no other available option will be effective for the patient except floss. Although these incongruencies in chairside recommendations will likely continue, the one remaining piece of evidence dental professionals can agree on is that interproximal care added to toothbrushing removes more plaque than brushing alone. Since providers, all agree on this fact, it is imperative that dental professionals remain current not only in the available research and modalities for interproximal plaque removal, but also in the proper techniques in chairside education and specific recommendations made to patients regarding the purchase of interproximal care items.