This assignment for Dental Hygiene Theory I tasked students with researching the dental hygiene field in other countries. I choose to research dental hygiene in Israel, and I was surprised to learn that the Israeli standards of care are quite similar to those in the US.
2. All About Israel
• Population: 8.712 million
• Main Language: Hebrew
• Main Religion: Judaism
• 3 sects:
• Orthodox
• Conservative
• Reform
• Custom Dress:
• Orthodox men and women dress modestly
• Residents of Israel tend to dress comfortably for the
weather
• Dentists and dental hygienists wear scrubs
• Common Greeting:
• “Shalom” means peace and is used for hello and
goodbye
Orthodox Jew Israeli women
3. Israeli Foods and the Affect on Dentistry
• Eating Kosher is a staple for many members of the Israeli population.
• “Sweets are used within the community as a reward, and sweets, cakes and sugar
laden foods were seen as a staple and important part of religious ceremonies and
celebrations” (Scrambler, Klass, Wright, & Gallagher, 2010).
4. The Value of Dental Care in
Israel
• Dental care is understood to be very important in Israel, but in
some cases religion must come first.
• The Jewish Sabbath runs from sundown on Friday to nightfall on
Saturday, during which the community refrains from weekday
activities such visiting the dentist.
• “Members of the community are unlikely to visit a dentist on a
Friday, unless in a dental emergency, due to preparations for the
Sabbath” (Scrambler, Klass, Wright, & Gallagher, 2010).
5. Israel Dental Statistics
• Dentists- approximately 7,500
• Dental Hygienists- approximately 1,700
• Full-time Hygienists- 1,100
• Dental Hygiene Schools- 4
• Occupational titles are the same for dentists
and hygienists in Israel and the US (IFDH,
2011).
6. Dental Hygienists in Israel
• “In order to be recognized as a dental hygienist in Israel, one must be licensed by
Misrad HaBriut (Ministry of Health)” (Nefesh B’Nefesh, 2019).
• Israeli dental hygienists are required to sit through other countries’ national
exams in order to practice in said countries.
• American hygienists would need to take the national exam of Israel in order to
practice there.
• Graduating from a DH program is a requirement for licensure (IFDH, 2011).
• “In contrast with Canada or the United States, hygienists in Israel are not
required submit evidence of any continuing professional development in
order to retain their dental license” (Landau, 2014).
7. Scope of Practice in Israel
• Removal of supra and sub- gingival calculus and debris, including root planing.
• Dental and perio charting.
• Removal of sutures and periodontal dressings post-surgery.
• Polishing restorations & removal of overhangs.
• Topical application of medicaments, prophylactic materials, and fluoride.
• Application of fissure sealants.
• Advice on oral health matters including smoking cessation and advice on nutrition.
• Taking radiographs.
• Taking alginate impressions for study models.
• (IFDH, 2011)
8. Scope of Practice in Israel
• “Dental Hygienists can work in clinics both in the public and private sector, by
referral from a dentist, and can also instruct Dental Health Education in
kindergartens, schools, nursing homes etc.” (IFDH, 2011).
• The scope of practice in the US and Israel is nearly identical.
9. Dental Services in Israel
• Quality dental care is never cheap, but prices in Israel are considerably lower than in the United
States, Canada or UK.
• “Dental tourism to Israel, by those looking to combine a vacation to Israel with lower prices and top
notch dental care, is on the rise” (Landau, 2014).
Cost
• Implants
• Dental Protheses
• Porcelain Crowns
• Scaling and Root Planing
Common Dental Practices
10. References
• International Federation of Dental Hygienists. (2011). Israel. International Federation of
Dental Hygienists. http://www.ifdh.org/wk_abroad/israel.html
• Landau, S. (2014). Four things you need to know about dentistry in Israel. The Times of
Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/4-things-you-need-to-know-about-
dentistry-in-israel/
• Nefesh B’Nefesh. (2019). Dental Hygienists. Ministry of Aliyah.
https://www.nbn.org.il/aliyahpedia/employment-israel/degrees-licensing/dental-
hygienists/
• Scambler, S., Klass, C., Wright, D., & Gallagher, J. E. (2010). Insights into the oral health
beliefs and practices of mothers from a north London Orthodox Jewish community. BMC
oral health, 10, 14. doi:10.1186/1472-6831-10-14
