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Published on: 7/6/2004
Last Visited: 11/23/2007
Casey Hein, RDH, MBA, started her company, PointPerio in Annapolis, MD, in 2000 because she recognized the untapped potential that progressive hygienists in general practice have in identifying and nonsurgically treating chronic periodontitis.
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Ms. Hein is the leading advocate of what is increasingly being recognized as the "periodontal therapist" model in dental hygiene, a parallel to the nurse practitioner on the medical side.To characterize this approach, she likes the saying: Apply the science, reap the benefits.
Ms. Hein began writing the column "Perio Pathways" in the journal, Contemporary Oral Hygiene in 2002 to provide the most leading edge (note: not cutting edge) information available on nonsurgical periodontal care.In the column she also strives to model for her readership what a periodontal therapist does in real life.According to Ms. Hein, she took her cue from Mahatma Gandhi who said, "We must become the change we want to see."To that end, she also authors the only clinical column for the financial magazine, Dentist's Money Digest, primarily because of the significant profit potential associated with the periodontal therapist model of care.
I tracked Ms. Hein down by phone to interview her on what advice she can give dental practices on how to better approach periodontal disease in their practices, and to gain a better understanding of exactly why the periodontal therapist model of care was so profitable.
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Casey Hein: Hello?
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Casey Hein: When I use the term "periodontal therapist," I am not trying to coin another name for the dental hygienist.
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Hein: To be clear, what I'm saying is that building the regular hygiene department as a profit center is an old school, outdated idea.
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Casey Hein: No. I'd rather downplay the MBA behind my name.I'm often mistaken as a management consultant instead of a clinical educator.
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Casey Hein: Although PointPerio is still a little young, we have all the growth we can soundly manage at this time.
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Casey Hein: I think, initially, there were some periodontists who may have thought I was trying to advocate for a new professional that would infringe upon their specialty field.
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Casey Hein: According to some of the most reliable epidemiological research, we conservatively estimate that 60% of adults should be in treatment for periodontal disease.
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Casey Hein: Here's a few recommendations:
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Casey Hein: I am very, very careful not to over-promise and under-deliver, and that is why we pre-qualify our prospective clients.
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Ms. Hein also wants to go on record about one controversy, which is discussed from time to time in Chicago, home of both ADA and ADHA: I do not think independent dental hygiene practice is the solution.However, I believe that collaborative practice is key.Everybody needs to stop rattling their sabers.The truth is we are at our professional best when hygienists and dentists have an interdependent relationship where distinct areas of expertise in restorative and periodontal care is mutually acknowledged.Fragmenting such a valuable therapeutic alliance seems counterproductive to me. On the other hand, disregarding the growing awareness that there are different tiers of expertise within the dental hygiene profession will ultimately cause the public to lose out on appropriate periodontal care.
To address the gap in diagnosis and treatment of chronic periodontitis that Ms. Hein says epidemiological trends seem to indicate, those who see the need for advancing education for dental hygienists may be right on target.It seems that has been the vision for PointPerio all along and one that Ms. Hein pursues with a certain passion.
Contact Ms. Hein at www.pointperio.com where visitors are welcome to download clinical templates along with articles and case studies she has authored.Or phone her at (410)349-2830.
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