Who would be responsible for preventive dental care and patient education?

• A. Dental Hygienist
• B. Dentist (DDS/DMD)
• C. Dental Assistant
• D. Medical Biller/Coder

Answer: (A)

In dental care teams, preventive care and patient education are delivered primarily by the dental hygienist. They are trained to perform prophylaxis (cleaning to remove plaque and tartar), apply preventive treatments like fluoride and sealants, and provide personalized instruction on brushing, flossing, interdental cleaning, diet, and tobacco cessation. This role centers on helping patients maintain oral health and prevent disease, with the patient education aspect being a core daily activity during routine visits.

The dentist, while responsible for diagnosis and treatment planning and performing procedures that require their higher level training, focuses more on treatment beyond prevention. The dental assistant supports the dentist during procedures and can reinforce basic care instructions, but the primary responsibility for ongoing preventive care and education lies with the hygienist. The medical biller/coder handles administrative tasks and does not provide clinical care.