ED07: Maximizing Prevention: Expanding Dental Hygienists’ Impact Beyond the Operatory

While the majority of dental hygienists are employed in private practice settings, opportunities to reduce health disparities go far beyond the operatory. This lecture will highlight ways that dental hygienists are impacting public health in a variety of settings and roles. Participants will learn from a panel of practicing public health dental hygienists and interactively from one another. Topics will include inter-professional practice, training and development of public health hygienists, community-based prevention, program and policy development, and policy change.

Multiple breakouts will allow participants to share their own experiences, strategize overcoming common barriers, and identify future possibilities to maximize the roles hygienists play in public health. This session will be helpful to all members of the dental team and advocates seeking to improve oral health in their organizations and states.