Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors.

 Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of  dental hygiene care.

 Utilize basic scientific knowledge as the theoretical basis for clinical practice.

 Provide dental hygiene care using critical thinking and problem solving in the provision of  evidence-based practice.

 Perform on-going self-assessment for professional growth and life-long learning.

 Provide quality assurance mechanisms for health services.

 Communicate effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations.

Promote optimal oral and general health to patients while respecting their goals, values, and beliefs..

Identify population risk factors and develop, implement and evaluate strategies to promote health and prevent disease.

Utilize appropriate methods to ensure the health and safety of the patient and dental professional in the delivery of dental hygiene services.

Assess the oral health needs of the community and the resources available to facilitate access to care.

Plan ad implement community oral health services in a variety of settings.

Evaluate the outcomes of community based programs.

Collect analyze, and record data on the general, oral and psychosocial health status of a variety of patients to identify oral health conditions and patient needs.

Utilize critical decision making skills to reach conclusions about the patient's dental hygiene needs based on all available assessment data.

Colloborate with the patient, and/or other health professionals, to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan that is patient centered and based on current scientific evidence.

Provide individualized treatment as identified in the assessment, diagnosis and planning phases that include preventive and therapeutic services desined to achieve and maintain oral health.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented clinical, preventive and educational services and modify as needed.

Access professional and community networks to pursue career, educational and professional goals.

Promote the profession through service activities and affiliations with professional organizations.