Cobban S J
Department of Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Int J Dent Hyg. 2009 Aug;7(3):217-25. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2009.00396.x.
There has been little in the literature to date that speaks of an art of dental hygiene compared to science. Yet, science, conceived as the findings from research, does not apply itself; it is the knowledge, judgement and skill of practitioners to apply these findings in a particular setting that, at its highest level, informs artful dental hygiene practice. The purpose of this paper is to question whether an art of dental hygiene exists, if it is important, and how it relates to science.
The method used in the analysis contained in this paper is a dialectical approach used to examine contrary positions, i.e. whether art exists or does not exist, by outlining the structure of each position and clarifying explicit and implicit similarities and dissimilarities. A framework of conceptualizations of art from nursing has been used to examine dental hygiene literature for evidence of art.
A preliminary conceptualization, substantiated within dental hygiene, sees the art of dental hygiene as abilities to grasp meaning in client encounters, establish meaningful connections with clients, perform dental hygiene actions skillfully and proficiently, rationally determine courses of dental hygiene action, and conduct dental hygiene practice morally and ethically.
That an art of dental hygiene exists is not in doubt and the analysis is presented. To understand better how dental hygienists make practice decisions to develop this process to its optimum - the pursuit of perfection and excellence in dental hygiene practice, we must pursue understanding the art of dental hygiene practice.
与科学相比，迄今为止文献中很少提及口腔卫生艺术。然而，科学作为研究得出的结果，本身并不直接应用；而是从业者运用这些结果于特定情境中的知识、判断力和技能，在最高水平上为巧妙的口腔卫生实践提供指导。本文旨在探讨口腔卫生艺术是否存在、其是否重要以及它与科学的关系。
本文分析所采用的方法是一种辩证方法，用于审视相反的立场，即通过勾勒每个立场的结构并阐明明确和隐含的异同，来探讨艺术是否存在。已使用护理领域艺术概念化的框架来审视口腔卫生文献，以寻找艺术存在的证据。
在口腔卫生领域得到证实的初步概念化将口腔卫生艺术视为在与患者接触中理解意义的能力、与患者建立有意义联系的能力、熟练且精通地执行口腔卫生操作的能力、合理确定口腔卫生行动方案的能力，以及在道德和伦理层面开展口腔卫生实践的能力。
口腔卫生艺术的存在毋庸置疑，且已进行了分析。为了更好地理解口腔卫生工作者如何做出实践决策以将这一过程发展到最佳状态——即在口腔卫生实践中追求完美与卓越，我们必须深入理解口腔卫生实践的艺术。
