Halitosis, what experiences and methods apply Dutch dental hygienists

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Dental Hygiene Practice
• Halitosis Management

Background:

• Halitosis is a prevalent oral health concern.
• Understanding current practices in halitosis management is crucial for improving patient care.
• Dental hygienists play a key role in identifying and treating halitosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the methods and experiences of dental hygienists in the Netherlands concerning halitosis treatment.
• To identify current practices, challenges, and perceived needs for halitosis management protocols among Dutch dental hygienists.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was distributed to 92 dental hygienists across the Netherlands via a social media platform.
• The survey covered professional characteristics, halitosis assessment, treatment, referral patterns, and protocol availability/utility.

Main Results:

• 83.4% of respondents noticed patients' breath, but only 37.8% consistently informed patients about halitosis.
• Fear of patient reaction or prioritization of other oral issues were cited as reasons for not informing patients.
• 67.8% had never referred a patient for halitosis treatment, and 86.7% lacked a formal protocol, though 90% found protocols useful.

Conclusions:

• Halitosis is an underestimated issue in Dutch dental practices.
• A significant gap exists between identifying breath odor and informing/treating patients.
• Dental hygienists recognize the need for standardized protocols to improve halitosis care, with scaling, root planing, and patient education being key interventions.