When a 52-year-old woman from Cromwell, CT , sat in a dentist’s chair one day in April 2024, her registered dental hygienist (RDH) performed a prophylaxis. This is a thorough, personalized preventive care procedure to maintain the health of the oral cavity, prevent gum disease from progressing, and screen for systemic illnesses.

The hygienist examined her mouth and discovered a lump. Taking her to the panoramic X-ray machine, the hygienist discovered a mass inside the woman’s mouth which eventually led to the patient being diagnosed with B non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for the second time. The patient received timely chemotherapy treatment and credited the hygienist with saving her life.

Stories like this highlight an important disconnect. Most patients perceive a regular visit to their denta

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