Performance Expectations

The dental hygienist must… 

1. Document accurate records.
2. Include their first and last name, protected title, and date in each record entry. 
3. Ensure each component of the patient record identifies the corresponding patient. 
4. Record information legibly, in English, using common and consistent terminology, symbols, and abbreviations. 
5. Document using language that is free of bias which might imply prejudicial beliefs or perpetuate assumptions regarding the individual(s) being written about. 
6. When providing clinical therapy, document clinical notes. For each encounter, the patient record must contain: 
1. The patient’s reason(s) for attendance; 
2. The informed consent process, including the patient’s informed refusal of any recommended dental hygiene services; 
3. Updated medical and dental history information; and 
4. An accurate and complete reflection of the patient encounter, including any or all of the following: 
1. Assessment findings and interpretations (e.g., radiographic, periodontal);
2. Diagnosis describing each existing oral health condition and possible etiology; 
3. Care plan; 
4. Dental hygiene services provided (e.g., assessments, treatments, drugs administered); 
5. Patient responses to dental hygiene services (e.g., pain or discomfort, progress toward achieving documented goals); 
6. Details of all education, recommendations, and instructions provided to the patient; 
7. Prescriptions given; 
8. Referrals to other health professionals; 
9. Notation of any adverse or unusual events that occur related to dental hygiene care; and/or 
10. Any other care provided.
7. Include sufficient detail in the record to allow the patient’s care to be managed by another health professional. 
8. Complete the patient record during care or as soon as is reasonable. 
9. Ensure that any communication to or with the patient (e.g., telephone, electronic) related to dental hygiene services, including before or after care, is entered in the patient record. 
10. Document communications, reports, and correspondence from other health professionals in the patient record. 
11. Maintain the following information when a patient record is updated, added to, or corrected:
1.  The original entries; 
2. The identity of the person making the update, addition, or correction; and 
3. The date of the update, addition, or correction. 

Patient Expectations

The patient can expect the dental hygienist to accurately document all the information relevant to the dental hygiene services they received and create a comprehensive health record that facilitates future care.