Production and economic contributions of dental hygienists

Dental hygienists' contribution to total gross billings and production, measured in standard production minutes, was studied in 13 private practices that employed hygienists. Hygienists' treatment accounted for one fourth of total production and one eighth of all gross billings. These results, together with analyses of the use of available time, the range of procedures performed by hygienists, and the rate of return for these procedures, illustrate the utility of this type of information when assessing the possibility of changes in the dental hygiene profession. In the past five years, the literature concerning dental hygienists has included a number of contributions that focus on the status of and possible changes in the practice of dental hygiene. These contributions have discussed the general future of dental hygiene,1-3 and the specific issues of professionalism,4-6 advocacy,7-8 and legal and political activity and knowledge.9-11 In addition, several discussions of new forms of dental hygiene practice also have appeared in the hygiene literature, 12-17 as well as in the general dental literature.18-20 Finally, surveys of dental hygienists have been reported frequently.21-30 The content of this growing body of literature indicates that the profession of dental hygiene currently is undergoing an internal examination, and that several educators and practitioners are advocating the acceptance of increased responsibility by hygienists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)