The American Dental Hygienists' Association Board of Directors approved two interim policies, according to an Oct. 22 news release.
Here are five things to know:
1. The ADHA holds that scaling procedures should only be performed by licensed dental practitioners who have completed advanced education and have direct access to the public, as these procedures represent advanced instrumentation, assessment and critical thinking skills.
2. Other dental professionals who wish to perform scaling procedures should undergo similar educational and training experiences.
3. The ADHA advocates for the role of dental hygienists in screening patients for airway health as an important part of patient care.
4. The organization recognizes that airway health is integral to oral health, craniofacial growth and development, disease prevention, as well as the early detection of conditions such as Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and mouth breathing.
5. The policies will be considered for adoption at the ADHA House of Delegates in June 2025.