Dental Hygiene Implements PerioView Endoscope into Student Learning
Thanks to funding from the Delta Dental of South Dakota Foundation and PerioView, USD’s dental hygiene program was able to purchase a PerioView endoscope, a specialized dental camera that allows dental professionals to visualize the inside of periodontal (gum) pockets to diagnose and treat gum disease. As the camera is less invasive and provides a clearer view, it is the first of its kind of dental endoscope engineered for the realities of modern dental practice.
“Integrating the PerioView endoscope into the Periodontology I and II courses will greatly enhance students' educational experiences,” explained Katie Pudwill, Ph.D., senior lecturer in the Department of Dental Hygiene. “They will gain valuable hands-on experience using ultrasonic instruments in challenging areas such as root concavities, furcations and deep pockets.”
Understanding and correctly measuring clinical attachment loss can be difficult, especially because current charting software can have some limitations. The PerioView endoscope will make it easier for students to see what’s really happening below the gumline, helping them more accurately update patient charts to reflect periodontal tissue damage.
“With this tool and the clearer view it provides, students will better learn how to classify and treat gum disease, leading to more accurate assessments and better patient care,” Pudwill said.
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