Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What is essential for the practice of dental hygiene to maintain healthy hard and soft tissues?

1. Regular surgical interventions

2. Oral prophylaxis treatments

3. Constant monitoring by a dentist

4. Administration of medications

The correct answer is: Oral prophylaxis treatments

The practice of dental hygiene aims to promote and maintain the health of both hard and soft tissues in the oral cavity, which includes teeth, gums, and surrounding structures. Oral prophylaxis treatments play a crucial role in this process, as they involve thorough cleaning procedures that help remove dental plaque, calculus, and stains from the surfaces of teeth. These treatments are essential for preventing periodontal disease, caries, and other oral health issues that can compromise the integrity of hard and soft tissues. By facilitating regular oral hygiene and providing professional cleanings, dental hygienists help maintain optimal health and prevent the progression of dental diseases. While surgical interventions, constant monitoring by a dentist, and administration of medications may have their place in overall oral care, they do not serve as the foundational practice for everyday maintenance of oral health like oral prophylaxis does. This makes regular prophylactic care not merely beneficial but essential in the promotion of a healthy oral environment.