•patient screening procedures; such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse •taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays) •removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth •applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g., sealants and fluorides) •teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health; (e.g., toothbrushing, flossing and nutritional counseling) •counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health •making impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs) •performing documentation a