Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Etiology Of Noncarious Cervical Lesions, Caren M. Barnes

College of Dentistry: Faculty Publications

As the number of older adults in the United States continues to grow, this change in patient demographics will profoundly affect the practice of dental hygiene. Not only are there more older adults, but they are also retaining more of their natural teeth than ever before. The risk of alveolar bone loss; gingival recession, which can lead to exposed cervical and root areas of the teeth; and tooth wear all increase with age. The confluence of these factors raises the risk of noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs).

The prevalence of NCCLs is growing, largely due to the rising numbers of older …

Shining A New Light On Selective Polishing, Caren M. Barnes

College of Dentistry: Faculty Publications

The era of selective polishing is over. Polishing is an integral procedure provided by dental hygienists. Patients look forward to the resultant smooth, clean feeling, and dental hygienists must ensure that all patients are polished according to their individual needs—ensuring the safety of their teeth and restorations.