When must a dental hygienist keep treatment records?

A dental hygienist must always keep treatment records for all patient interactions because maintaining accurate and comprehensive records is essential for various reasons. These records serve not only as a legal documentation of the care provided but also play a critical role in ensuring continuity of care for the patient. They allow the hygienist and other healthcare providers to track the patient’s progress, manage ongoing treatment plans, and uphold the standards of care mandated by regulatory bodies.

Moreover, comprehensive treatment records contribute to the quality of patient care by facilitating better communication among the dental team, ensuring that all members are informed about the patient's health history, treatments administered, and any specific needs or concerns raised during their visits. Additionally, these records can be imperative in legal situations where the care delivered is questioned, as they provide documented evidence of the services performed and the professional judgment exercised during treatment.

While laws may stipulate minimum requirements for record-keeping, best practices in dental hygiene and patient care dictate that hygienists maintain thorough records for every interaction with a patient, encompassing both preventive and therapeutic services, irrespective of the nature of the visit.