Table 6.

Supporting quotations for category 2

Client communication

Oftentimes, their response is that they had never been explained exactly what was going on in their mouth before. (Michele)

If anyone's informed and knows what going on, the majority of people in this world will take actions to get better. When you go to your doctor, he tells you that you have high blood pressure. He explains the plan and meds, and how often to follow-up with him. It's the same thing with dental hygiene. (Mike)

I think that they have more trust and I see more respect for the dental profession because it not only improves their oral health, but the systemic link. Patients feel like we're looking out for all of them just not their mouths. So, I think it's a good thing. It builds trust. (Mia)

I think it would help them have a greater understanding of, "I do have periodontal disease." Maybe they didn't know that before. Or, "Oh, I didn't know I had a cavity there. It didn't hurt." Or, "Oh, yeah, I never noticed that lesion in my mouth." By me pointing those things out to them, it gives them information that's beneficial to them. So it is addressed and treated properly and doesn't go unnoticed. (Jane)

You don't want them to lose their teeth. If they have an aggressive form of periodontal disease, we need to help the patient understand this is serious. You're going to lose your teeth. I feel like that would be very beneficial to them. This is what's going on in my mouth, this is a serious thing, and I need to address it. If it was a cavity, we don't want it progressing from a small cavity to potentially a root canal. With a pathology, that could become oral cancer. There can be long-lasting effects. I think it's extremely beneficial that we, as hygienists, point this out to our patients. Now in these conversations. (Jane)

I just think it puts everybody on the same page and allows for better communication. Because there's so many different people involved a lot of times with a client's care, it kind of gets us all on the same page. (Nikki)