Cultural competence and dental hygiene care delivery: integrating cultural care into the dental hygiene process of care.

As the population of the United States becomes increasingly diverse, effective, client-centered, contemporary dental hygiene practice will be realized only if clinicians are equipped to interact with and provide care for clients of varied cultural backgrounds. The purpose of this investigation is to explore ways to incorporate cultural care into the dental hygiene process of care. In addition to a discussion of the integration of cultural sensitivity into communication, assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation provides recommendations for further research and for the education of both dental hygiene students and practicing dental hygienists in order to facilitate quality care for a culturally diverse clientele.