Dental Hygienists
WHAT IS A DENTAL HYGIENIST?
Dental Hygienists are specially trained members of the dental team who work together with your Dentist to provide fully integrated dental care. They play an important role in oral health, by providing individualised preventive treatment and demonstrating correct home care to patients to prevent dental disease and tooth wear.
WHAT IS THE HYGIENIST’S ROLE IN THE DENTAL PRACTICE?
Hygienists perform four main functions:
- Dental hygiene education tailored to the patient’s needs. This one-on-one instruction includes care for your gums and teeth, and information on dietary habits and health conditions which may be adversely affecting your oral health.
- Collaborate with your Dentist to plan an oral health maintenance program, including assessment of your periodontal (gum) health, evaluation of radiographs and review of our medical history.
- Removal of calculus deposits and stains from teeth.
- Application of decay preventing agents and recommendation of products for home use.
WHY IS HOME DENTAL CARE SO IMPORTANT?
Dental disease can be prevented. Effective home plaque control techniques 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 a Dental Hygienist 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 life. 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. If you find treatment uncomfortable it is important to discuss this with your Dental Hygienist. 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 Dental Hygienist begins treatment.
WHY DOESN’T THE DENTIST DO THE WORK?
The Dental Hygienist has been specially trained to perform preventive treatment and maintenance of the mouth, teeth and gums. Your Dentist will refer you to a Dental Hygienist for more specialized oral care, while they provide complex restorative or cosmetic care.
With individually taught home care techniques
and regular maintenance your Dental
Hygienist can assist you to maintain
oral health for the rest of your life.
Reference: DHAA
