Darby & Walsh Dental Hygiene: Theory and Practice, 6th Edition offers everything you need to succeed in your coursework and clinical and professional practice. No other dental hygiene foundational text incorporates clinical competencies, theory, and evidence-based practice in such an approachable way. All discussions — from foundational concepts to diagnosis to pain management — are presented within the context of a unique person-centered model that takes the entire person into consideration. A veritable who’s-who of dental hygiene educators, practitioners, and researchers cite the latest studies throughout the text to provide a framework to help you in your decision-making and problem-solving. New to this edition is an increased focus on new and emerging technologies, enhanced coverage of infection control in the time of COVID-19, and new chapters on telehealth and teledentistry and mental health and self-care.

Section I: Conceptual Foundations
1. The Dental Hygiene Profession
2. Dental Hygiene Metaparadigm Concepts and Conceptual Models Applied to Practice
3. Evidenced-Based Decision Making
4. Community Health
5. Sustainable Health Behavior Change
6. Cultural Competency in Healthcare
7. Legal and Ethical Decision Making
8. Professional E-Portfolios
Section II: Preparation for the Appointment
9. Dental Hygiene Patient Care Settings
10. Infection Prevention and Control
11. Preventing and Managing Medical Emergencies
12. Ergonomics and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Section III: Assessments
13. Personal, Dental, and Medical Histories
14. Vital Signs
15. Pharmacologic History
16. Assessment of Head and Neck Examination
17. Hard Tissue Assessment and Dental Charting
18. Assessment of Dental Deposits and Stain
19. Dental Caries Management by Risk Assessment
20. Periodontal Assessment and Charting
21. Oral-Systemic Health Connection
Section IV: Critical Thinking in Dental Hygiene Practice
22. Dental Hygiene Diagnosis
23. Dental Hygiene Care Plan, Evaluation, and Documentation
Section V: Implementation, Evaluation, and Documentation
24. Toothbrushing
25. Interdental and Supplemental Oral Self-Care Devices
26. Dentifrices
27. Antimicrobial Agents for Control of Periodontal Disease
28. Hand-Activated Instrumentation
29. Ultrasonic Instrumentation
30. Root Morphology and Instrumentation Implications
31. Dental Implants and Peri-Implant Care
32. Tooth Polishing and Whitening
33. Decision Making Related to Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy
34. Acute Gingival and Periodontal Conditions
35. Pit and Fissure Sealants
36. Nutritional Counseling
37. Tobacco Cessation
38. Impressions for Study Casts and Custom-Made Oral Appliances
39. Restorative Therapy
40. Orthodontic Care
41. Fixed and Removable Dental Prostheses
Section VI: Pain and Anxiety Control
42. Dentinal Hypersensitivity
43. Local Anesthesia
44. Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Sedation
Section VII: Life Stages and Populations
45. Children and Adolescents
46. Pregnancy and Oral Health
47. The Older Adult
Section VIII: Dental Hygiene Care for the Medically Compromised
48. Cardiovascular Disease
49. Diabetes
50. Cancer
51. HIV and Oral Health
52. Palliative Oral Care
53. Autoimmune Diseases
54. Organ Transplantation and Renal Disease
55. Respiratory Diseases
56. Substance Use Disorders
57. Eating Disorders
58. Child Abuse and Neglect and Family Violence
Section IX: Dental Hygiene Care for Disabilities and Special Needs
59. Disability and Healthcare
60. Intellectually and Developmentally Challenged
61. Orofacial Clefts
62. Neurological Disabilities
Section X: Professional Development and Practice Management
63. Professional Development and Job Searching
64. Practice Management
65. Telehealth — NEW!
66. Mental Health and Self-Care — NEW!
Appendix A: Dental Charting Symbols and Examples
Glossary
Index