What is an Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner?
• The Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) is a mid-level dental hygienist provider who is educated to competently provide diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic and limited restorative services directly to the underserved public. • This new mid-level position could make a positive impact on the lack of access to oral health care plaguing many people in New Mexico. An ADHP would most likely work in partnership with public health entities like nursing homes, community and school-based clinics. • The concept of an ADHP is not the first of its kind in the health care industry. Precedent has been set in the nursing profession with positions that include: certified nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and certified registered nurse anesthetist. The nursing profession moved toward the development of advanced practice nurse through recognition of unmet public health needs. • While a dental mid-level practitioner is a new concept in the United States, over forty cou
