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Sydney Laser Dentistry & DENTAL CARE NETWORK™ are offering a dental program which provides an exclusive voucher of $100 to be redeemed for dental treatment if you are an employee of one of our partnered corporate programs.
Oral Health Therapist
What is an Oral Health Therapist?
An Oral Health Therapist is a highly valued and specially trained member of the dental team, who possess qualifications as both a Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist.
Oral Health Therapists provide high quality care to children, adolescents and adults.
What is an Oral Health Therapists Role in the Dental Practice?
- Regular maintenance of oral health through the removal of plaque and calculus.
- Treatment and maintenance of gum disease in all age groups.
- Taking of radiographs and Cone Beam scans, aswell as impressions.
- Provide routine clinical dental examination, diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents including cleaning, treating decay and extracting teeth.
- Provide orthodontic treatment to patients along side other dentists.
- Bring more complex dental problems to the attention of dentists, specialists and other health care providers.
- Provide preventative dental treatments to all age groups including sealants and remineralising therapies.
- Educate and motivate patients to maintain good oral health and diet.
- Liaise with other health care providers to support oral health as part of general health.
Why is home dental care so important?
Dental disease can be prevented. Effective oral hygiene along with a balanced diet can help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Such problems are then less likely to progress into more serious dental ailments resulting in extensive and costly dental treatment.
Preventive Dental Treatment for all Ages
Dental disease occurs at any age, therefore treatment and advice from an Oral Health Therapist will benefit all. Patients are taught how dental disease including tooth wear occurs, and how it can be prevented. For many children, the application of dental fissure sealant to the grooves of the back teeth will prevent decay for many years to come. In the aging population, changes to general health and medications can have a direct impact on the oral health of a person.
It is important that everyone establishes correct home care techniques.
Is there any discomfort?
Usually dental hygiene treatment is pain free. There may be some discomfort with restorative treatment and extractions in children and adolescentsm, but if you find treatment uncomfortable it is important to discuss this with your Oral Health Therapist. Various techniques are available to help.
Is it expensive?
Any preventive care will ultimately lead to savings. Depending on the type of treatment carried out and the length of the appointment, costs may vary. It is important to agree to and confirm the cost of the visit before the Oral Health Therapist begins treatment.
Why doesn't the Dentist do the work?
The Oral Health Therapist has been specially trained to perform regular and preventative treatment and maintenance of the mouth, teeth and gums. Your Dentist will refer you to an Oral Health Therapist for more specialized oral care, while they provide complex restorative or cosmetic care.
With individually taught home care techniques
and regular maintenance your Oral Health Therapist can assist you to maintain
oral health for the rest of your life.
