The Role The Dental Hygienist Plays In Maintaining Your Healthy Teeth

Your dental hygienist is an oral health professional. She or he has been trained to care for your teeth and to assist your dentist in dental procedures. They provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services to you, the dental patient.

Dental Hygienists examine patients’ teeth and gums. They record the presence of any dental diseases or abnormalities that they notice during this exam. During the cleaning process they remove calculus, stains, and plaque from your teeth. They can also perform root planning as part of periodontal therapy, take and develop dental x-rays. They will also apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and something called pit and fissure sealants. Depending on the state they practice in, they may even be licensed to administer anesthetics, place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, or periodontal dressings. It may also be part of their job to remove sutures. They may be asked to prepare clinical or laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist they work with. Most hygienists work chair side with the dentist during dental exams and treatments.

The hygienist is an educator. She or he will explain to patients how to care for their teeth, by demonstrating how to properly brush and floss each tooth and how to pick out the proper toothbrush for you. They may also explain the importance of good diet to the health of your teeth and gums.

You can be sure that your Dental hygienist has graduated from high school, and perhaps have had a minimum of 1-year college, and has attended an accredited dental hygiene school. She or he would have had to receive a license to practice dental hygiene in your state. To receive this license your hygienist had to attend dental school, and pass both a written and a clinical exam. Hygienists are trained to use many different dental tools. Some of the tools they may use when caring for your teeth are:

Hand and rotary instruments

Ultrasonics for cleaning and polishing

X-ray machines

Syringes and needles

Models of teeth

Safety glasses

Masks

Gloves

The hygienist is a part of a dental team so she or he must work well with others. As a team player, his or her role is to provide good dental care and customer support to ensure that your visit is safe, and as comfortable as possible. It is the purpose of the team to combine all of their talents to ensure that you receive top quality dental care. Your hygienist works closely with your dentist, during your treatment and exam; but may also work with the receptionist while handling your chart or future appointments. You may even see your hygienist more than you see your dentist. Your hygienist will likely be the one to take your dental history on your first visit to their office. She or he will most likely be the one to explain any procedures before they are done and prepare you for any dental procedures.

Hygienists enjoy working closely with people and are usually easy to engage in conversation; especially when a patient needs to be put at ease. They need to have good hand dexterity for working with dental tools and in my experience those hands also have the gentle touch that patients appreciate.

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