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Extraoral Examination in Dental Hygiene

This document provides information on performing an extraoral (EO) examination as part of a dental hygiene examination. It begins by stating the learning objectives which are to describe the objectives and sequence of an EO exam and identify lymph nodes. It then discusses the importance of oral cancer screening and notes that hygienists do not always perform these exams. The document outlines the 10 step sequence to perform the EO exam, which involves visual inspection and palpation of the head and neck including lymph nodes. It stresses the importance of the EO exam for early cancer detection and evaluating overall patient health.

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120 views18 pages

Extraoral Examination in Dental Hygiene

This document provides information on performing an extraoral (EO) examination as part of a dental hygiene examination. It begins by stating the learning objectives which are to describe the objectives and sequence of an EO exam and identify lymph nodes. It then discusses the importance of oral cancer screening and notes that hygienists do not always perform these exams. The document outlines the 10 step sequence to perform the EO exam, which involves visual inspection and palpation of the head and neck including lymph nodes. It stresses the importance of the EO exam for early cancer detection and evaluating overall patient health.

Uploaded by

api-295118143
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Extraoral Examination

Luisa Luo Lim BS, RDA, RDH


Graduate Learners MS in Dental Hygiene
[Link]@[Link]
February, 24 2016

Learning Objectives
By the end of the presentation, the dental
hygiene learners will be able to:
State eight objectives of the head and neck
examinations.
List the sequence of performing an extraoral
examination.
Be able to name and locate the lymph nodes.

Facts
One of the goals specified in Healthy People 2010
was to have 20% of the adult population receive
an oral cancer screening examination within the
past year
Studies have found that dental hygienists did not
consistently provide oral cancer screening
examinations for their patients even though most
of them knew it should be done

Objectives of Extraoral
Examination
1. Oral cancer screening
2. Determine if the patient is well enough to
continue dental treatment
3. Determine the need for medical or other
consultations
4. Enable early diagnosis of pathology

Objectives of Extraoral
Examination Cont.
5. Determine possible treatment
modifications
6. Prepare and record baseline patient
assessment information
7. Review and Update
8. Determine if additional diagnostic
procedure are necessary

Extraoral Examination
Primarily consists of:
Inspection
Palpation

Inspection
Examined the exposed skin of the head
and neck for suspicious lesions
Observe the patient for facial symmetry
and profile type

Facial symmetry

Profile type

Palpation
To palpate the head and neck lymph nodes

Instruments Needed For


Examination
Adequate light
gloves

Evaluation Rubric

Extraoral Examination Sequence


1. Visually examine the face asymmetry, swelling,
pigmentation, skin blemishes, etc.
2. Palpate and identify frontal and supraorbital bone
bilaterally using digital compression (fig.1)
3. Palpate and identify submental and submandibular
nodes using digital palpation (fig.2)
4. Palpate and identify anterior, and posterior auricular
nodes bilaterally using the pads of the index, middle
and ring fingers (fig.2)

EO Sequence Cont.
5. Palpate and identify parotid gland bilaterally
using digital compression and circular
motion(fig.2)
6. Palpate and identify masseter muscle bilaterally
beginning at the angle of the mandible and
extend up onto the cheek. Have client clinch
several times (fig.2)
7. Palpate and identify occipital lymph nodes, with
client leaning forward (fig.2)

EO Sequence Cont.
8. Palpate and identify sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Client's head is turned to the side, and chin is
slightly down (fig.2)
9. Palpate and identify thyroid gland by holding the
fingers lightly over the gland while the patient
swallows (fig.2)
[Link] temporomandibluar joint bilaterally by
placing finger tips bilaterally just anterior to
outer meatus (opening) of the ear. Ask client to
open and close several times (fig.2)

Figure 1

Figure 2

Conclusion
EO examination should be performed on a routine
basis for every patient
EO examination is essential for:
detecting early skin cancers and enlarged
lymph nodes that may indicate cancer
metastasis.
detecting systemic disease

Questions?

References

College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba. Competency


Assessment (CA) Information Guide http
://[Link]/PDFs/CDHM_Competency_Assessment_Informa
tion_Package_May2015.
pdf

[Link]

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