[Employment of personnel as dental hygienists in a German dental office].

The experience gained by the training of dental assistants using individual education programs shows that there is a need for similar training and education of dental hygienists. The presently existing education programs in this field are not related specifically to training of periodontal procedures and prophylaxis and are insufficient for the treatment of patients with periodontal diseases. This was also the conclusion of a committee for dental auxiliary personnel that was recently initiated by the German Society of Periodontology.