The clinical examination for dental hygiene includes procedures performed on what?

The clinical examination for dental hygiene primarily involves procedures performed on human subjects. This is crucial because working with actual patients allows dental hygienists to assess real oral health conditions, apply their skills in managing those conditions, and gather data that is directly applicable to clinical practice.

Conducting examinations on human subjects helps to develop clinical judgment and decision-making skills, which are vital in delivering effective patient care. Additionally, it provides students with experience in communicating with patients, understanding individual variations in oral health, and implementing infection control protocols, which are all essential components of dental hygiene practice.

Performing clinical procedures on models, artificial teeth, or cadavers does not adequately replicate the complexities and variabilities of living patients, which is why they are not suitable for this specific examination context. While these alternatives can serve as valuable educational tools in certain scenarios, they lack the dynamic interaction and immediate feedback that occur in a live clinical setting.