Dental Hygienists at the Heart of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Overview

A clinically grounded two-day course introducing dental hygienists to the functional foundations of craniofacial development, the orofacial consequences of dysfunctional breathing and mastication, and the therapeutic principles and clinical tools of orofacial myofunctional therapy.

Who this is for

• Dental hygienists seeking to expand their functional assessment skills and integrate orofacial myofunctional therapy concepts into clinical practice

Learning objectives

• Describe the key foundations of craniofacial development, from intrauterine growth to extrauterine functional determinants
• Identify the orofacial and systemic consequences of mouth breathing and dysfunctional mastication
• Analyse the role of lingual posture, parafunctions, and the neutral zone in orofacial functional balance
• Differentiate adaptive compensations from true orofacial dysfunctions within a patient-centred, interdisciplinary framework
• Apply the major therapeutic objectives and functional hierarchy underpinning orofacial myofunctional therapy
• Select and implement evidence-informed OMF clinical tools and protocols within dental hygiene practice

What you will practice

• Clinical interpretation of functional signs revealed by dental and orofacial structures
• Supervised peer-based practical exercises
• Hands-on introduction to OMF clinical tools applicable in dental hygiene practice
• Administrative frameworks and clinical integration protocols
• Prevention-oriented reasoning and clinical takeaways