o ​​Describe a time when you had a thorough examination of your head, neck, and oral cavity and the results had a significant impact on how you proceeded with the process of dental hygiene care. Annette was performing her usual head, neck and mouth exam on a patient who found an enlarged thyroid. He recommended that the patient see her primary care physician to get a better diagnosis. The patient went to her GP and was told it was probably nothing. Later the patient returned to the dentist's office and saw Annette and told her what the doctor had said. Annette couldn't take this as a definitive answer and told her that she wasn't going to let it go and that she would have to get a second opinion and do more tests. The patient came back. Initially he would carry out the tests as learned in school, but now after finding something abnormal, he now does a more thorough check, especially on patients with a history of cancer. This incident solidified his faith in early diagnosis and proper documentation. By having the information in the patient's medical record, Annette could refer to it and see if anything has changed since the last visit. Most of the patients he sees do not have oral cancer, but he is able to identify abnormalities and encourage the patient to have them checked to determine if they are precancerous. o Is there anything else you would like to share with me about the head, neck, and oral exam as it relates to a comprehensive, individualized patient? As a hygienist you are the number one defense because not everyone sees their primary care doctor regularly or just for their annual physical. During the medical examination the doctor does not check for oral cancer and the hygienist sees the patient at least twice a year. Not all tests are used to check for cancer, but they can also check for tonsil stones or salivary stones. A child patient had enlarged tonsils and told her parent to come and see. The parent was surprised and informed Annette that the child often had a sore throat, with this additional information Annette suggested consulting the child's primary care physician and possibly having the child's tonsils removed. Annette said if a patient has had a biopsy for possible oral cancer, especially smokers or tobacco users, she teaches them to do self-exams at home and informs them to do them once a month. He said he instructs the patient to call if he notices any