Maximizing Hygiene – Systems, Standards & Same-Day Treatment

Course Objectives

1. Establish a Pre-Appointment Preparation System
   Learners will implement daily hygiene prep routines—including chart reviews and treatment planning—to proactively identify same-day opportunities and deliver personalized care.
   
   
2. Utilize the 20/20/20 Appointment Framework
   Learners will apply a structured hygiene model that includes 20 minutes of assessment, 20 minutes of patient education and co-discovery, and 20 minutes of treatment.
   
   
3. Define Consistent Clinical Protocols for Perio Care
   Learners will co-create a hygiene department perio protocol with clearly defined criteria for healthy vs. diseased tissues and treatment pathways (e.g., prophy, 4346, SRP + laser).
   
   
4. Empower Hygienists to Confidently Communicate Treatment Needs
   Learners will practice calibrated scripting and co-discovery methods that increase case acceptance while enhancing trust and education during hygiene visits.
   
   
5. Simplify Access to Same-Day Adjunctive Services
   Learners will reconfigure op setup so that tools and products—like sealants, fluoride, lasers, and impression materials—are within arm’s reach to reduce wasted time and increase follow-through.
   
   
6. Elevate the Hygiene-Doctor Exam Process
   Learners will improve doctor-hygiene exam flow through preparation tools (exam cards), calibrated communication, and emotionally intelligent transitions that increase patient trust and compliance.
   
   
7. Track and Align KPIs With Patient Health Goals
   Learners will interpret hygiene KPIs (e.g., perio percentage, treatment planned per visit, iTero scans) as clinical scorecards, reinforcing a care-first, production-second mindset.
   
   
8. Train the Whole Team on Hygiene’s Role in Wellness
   Learners will involve front office, assistants, and leadership in maintaining hygiene continuity by teaching the definition of a healthy mouth and how to support same-day treatment and schedule reactivation.
   
   
9. Address Barriers to Hygienist Utilization of Adjuncts
   Learners will overcome common challenges (e.g., product access, training gaps, time pressure) by simplifying workflows and setting clear expectations for adjunctive use.
   
   
10. Cultivate a Culture of Ownership and Accountability in Hygiene
    Learners will develop feedback systems, onboarding tools, and scorecards to onboard, support, and retain high-performing hygienists aligned with the office’s clinical standards and values.