Whitening Treatment Protocol
for the Dental Hygienist
by Kristy Menage Bernie, RDH, BS
Once a patient has qualified as a whitening candidate, key clinical intervention and education will ensure optimal results. These include a comprehensive Dental Hygiene Experience, use of desensitizing agents prior to whitening procedures, appropriate scheduling for shade matching of restorative materials and education on methods to maintain whitening results.
For easy reference, following is a Whitening Treatment Protocol Guide for take-home and in-office whitening:
Whitening Protocol
- Comprehensive Dental Hygiene experience
- Evaluation/treatment for optimal periodontal/oral health
- Removal of extrinsic stain, plaque and calculus
- Pre-whitening photographs, shade determination, and impressions for whitening trays
- Dispensing/prescribing pre-whitening desensitizing medicaments
- 5,000 ppm sodium fluoride
- Potassium nitrate
- Amporphous calicim phosphate (ACP)
- Combination of the above, such as Discus Relief Oral Care Gel (ACP, Potassium nitrate and fluoride)
- Appropriate scheduling for shade matching of restorative/aesthetic materials
- Wait 10-to-14 days following whitening treatment to ensure color match and adequate bond strength
- Education on maintenance of whitening results
- Use of automated oral hygiene devices and over-the-counter products deemed safe and effective
- Avoidance of staining-related habits
- Daily use of appropriate devices to clean tongue
- Scheduling of future preventive appointments to determine the need for touch-up treatments
A recent survey of registered dental hygienists confirmed that patients undergoing aesthetic procedures have improved oral health. As such, considerations for maintenance of a newly enhanced smile must be included for long-term results and patient satisfaction.
Kristy Menague Bernie, RDH, BS, RYT is the owner of Educational Designes, an industry consulting company. She is the current editor of dental hygiene for www.DentalCompare.com, a frequent contributor to a number of dental hygiene publications and lectures throughout the country on a variety of topics. To schedule a seminar or to contact Kristy, she can be reached at info@educationaldesigns.com.
Kristy graduated in 1984 with a BS degree in dental hygiene from the University of Maryland with honors.
