Which phase of dental hygiene care planning focuses on appointments for continuing care?

The phase of dental hygiene care planning that focuses on appointments for continuing care is the Maintenance or Supportive Therapy phase. This phase is critical because it involves ongoing care tailored to the patient's needs, ensuring that they maintain good oral health following any initial treatments or diagnoses.

During this phase, dental hygienists schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor the patient's oral health status, reinforce self-care practices, and provide any necessary therapeutic interventions. The goal is to prevent the recurrence of disease and maintain improvements achieved during earlier phases of treatment. By emphasizing continuity of care, this phase helps to foster a long-term patient-dentist relationship, allowing for timely interventions should any issues arise. Thus, this phase is essential for sustaining optimal oral health over time.