What is one responsibility of dental hygienists and licensed dental assistants regarding patient dental records?

One important responsibility of dental hygienists and licensed dental assistants is documenting patient vitals. This includes recording critical information such as blood pressure, pulse, and any other relevant health indicators that could impact a patient's dental treatment. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date patient records is essential for providing appropriate care and ensuring continuity in treatment. It also helps in creating a comprehensive health history, which can be crucial for diagnosing and planning future dental treatments. Proper documentation contributes to effective communication among dental team members and enhances patient safety and care quality.

The responsibilities associated with deleting outdated records, filing insurance claims, or creating marketing materials do not typically fall under the primary duties of dental hygienists and licensed dental assistants. While these roles may interact with those activities, documenting patient vitals is specifically a fundamental aspect of their clinical practice.