Anyone can be a laser hygienist!

With all the new technology advancements in our world of dental hygiene, there is one that I feel is here to stay! Many think that lasers for use by dental hygienists are a new technique, when in fact, lasers have been around for many years.

To get the most out of what lasers, the best place to start is education. As with anything, “if you don’t know what to do, you won’t get the best outcome from it.” Simply put … “if you don’t know, you don’t know.”

So to begin, start by doing some research about lasers. Check with laser manufacturers and find out which laser will work best for you. Keepi in mind, you get what you pay for. There are many lasers to chose from … from a Kia all the way to a Mercedes.

Whichever laser you use, make sure you know what you, as a dental hygienist, are able to do with a laser in your state. This begins with your State Dental or Dental Hygiene Practice Act. It is up to you to interpret your State Practice Act and determine if you can utilize a laser in your practice. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is compiling a chart for laser use around the country.

What procedures can a laser be used for by you, a dental hygienist? Please remember that curettage is no longer an accepted procedure with the Academy of Periodontology. See the The American Academy of Periodontology Statement Regarding Gingival Curettage.(1)

We also need to remember that lasers cannot be used by dental hygienists to CUT tissue (in most states), just like we can’t use any other dental tool to cut tissue. Also, we use the insurance codes that we already use for a certain procedure, such as D4341, as there are no “extra” codes for performing a procedure with a laser.

In other words, if the fee for a procedure performed with a laser is different than the fee without the use of a laser, we have to adjust the fees for the exisiting codes. Other procedures that may be able to be completed, depending on your state practice act, could include bacterial reduction, sulcular debridement, and bacterial decontamination. These procedures will allow the tissue a chance to heal and create new attachments to form, allowing the pocket to be maintained easier. See case study.(2)

Another use of a laser may include treatment of herpetic lesions or aphthous ulcers. These procedures are great practice builders, as patients are very pleased with the results that the laser can provide. Visit the Academy of Laser Dentistry for articles on this topic.(3)

Speaking of education, most laser manufacturers will provide training or videos to get you started. Please remember, that most of that type of training is enough to get you started. But for those of you who want additional and more detailed training or certification with lasers, you can seek out some of the other organizations that provide additional training.

One of them is the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD). They are the only unbiased organization involved with lasers, which means that they work with all laser users and with a variety of different lasers. To get more information on ALD, please visit their website at www.laserdentistry.org.

Some of the laser educators with the ALD can provide laser education through courses, throughout the U.S. and internationally. Some of these educators can provide laser education in your office, with your laser, in your own environment. Please check the website for additional information regarding these options.

With the above information, I hope that I have sparked an interest for you with lasers. If I can be of further assistance for you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

References
1. The American Academy of Periodontology Statement Regarding Gingival Curettage. Journal of Periodontology, October 2002, Vol. 73, No. 10, Pages 1229-1230 , DOI 10.1902/jop.2002.73.10.1229, (doi:10.1902/jop.2002.73.10.1229). http://www.joponline.org/doi/pdf/10.1902/jop.2002.73.10.1229.
2. Mott, A. RDH magazine, March, 2006, p. 74-76. Nd:YAG Laser-Assisted Treatment of Periodontitis As a Manifestation of Systemic Disease. http://www.rdhmag.com/articles/print/volume-26/issue-3/feature/ndyag-laser-assisted-treatment-of-periodontitis-as-a-manifestation-of-systemic-disease.html.
3. www.laserdentistry.org.