At Bays Dental, we have 2 lovely, dual qualified- dental hygienists/dental therapists- Melody and Danielle. The dental hygienist's role in the practice is to work with the dentist to meet the oral health needs of patients. The range of services offered by dental hygienists varies depending on the type of practice in which they work. Danielle Jolliffe
Dental Hygienist's are mainly concerned with:
Periodontal (gum) health
Helping patients achieve the best oral hygiene practices they are able to perform
Application of preventive materials to the teeth and gums (e.g. topical fluoride treatment and fissure sealants)
Our amazing ladies at Bays Dental are also qualified to treat children and adolescents for general dental treatment
And also assist in orthodontic treatment Melody Martin
Some of the services provided by dental hygienists may include:
Assessment of oral health conditions including plaque, tartar deposits, bleeding gums, oral ulcerations, reviewing health history, dental and gum charting, and diet assessments
Removing calculus/tartar (hard deposits) and plaque (bacteria) from all surfaces of teeth
Applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g. sealants, fluorides)
Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g. tooth brushing techniques, correct use of dental floss and other instruments that may be used to clean between teeth)
Counselling patients regarding good nutrition and the impact that a poor diet can have on oral health
Assessment of susceptibility to tooth decay
Taking impressions/moulds of patient's teeth for study casts (used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment planning)
Tooth Whitening procedures
Take and develop dental x-rays
Give local anaesthetic
Not all dental clinics have a hygienist, but Bays Dental offer this as a part of the service to our patients. Hygienists and dentists work closely together, for the overall care of a patient.
Why is dental hygiene treatment important?
Very few people are able to practise perfect plaque, brushing, and flossing at home. This means that even after good home care, bacterial plaque will remain somewhere around the teeth and gums. Research shows that plaque is what causes both tooth decay and periodontal disease, and so having all these deposits removed thoroughly on a regular basis is a great way to prevent these diseases.
Why can't my dentist do this work?
A dental hygienist is able to spend longer with you and is also an expert at teaching you how to look after your teeth and gums. Often the hygienist will spend a number of appointments getting your gums healthy so the dentist can restore your teeth in a clean and healthy oral environment.
Can I help the hygienist?
Remember that you are responsible for the health of your mouth, teeth and gums. Set aside time each day to carry out your own plaque control programme. Listen to advice given on cleaning techniques and diet. Your hygienist is there to help you and to carefully design a hygiene programme that best suits your needs.
