Defining The Dental Hygienist

[Jamie Bull]

I recently came across this old, but really interesting and still quite relevant, article on the role of dental hygienists in the industry.

Not only does the author raise questions about the lasting power of the profession, but describes it as the "maternal force" in dentistry and admits the he himself has difficulty describing the role.

No matter where you stand, they are most often on the front lines of the twice-annual professional battle against oral pathogens.

What do you think? Do hygienists own the "maternal" role in your practice? Do you work with any male hygienists? Have you found any unifying characteristic between all hygienists?