You may think that your dental hygienist just cleans your teeth, but the truth is that there is much more to the job than just that. In fact, the duties of a hygienist cover all sorts of areas including patient care and aftercare treatment. They also work closely with dentists to treat patients in more complex areas. Continue reading to learn about the many different responsibilities of dental hygienists and what their days in the practice tend to consist of.
Educating Patients
Part of going to the dentist is learning about the best way you can take care of your smile. Not all people know what is best for their oral health and it is up to your dental hygienist to advise them so they can keep their mouth healthy. Sometimes, patients come in with bigger issues like an abundance of cavities, periodontal disease, or missing teeth. A skilled hygienist can help them get back on track with some dental education.
Screening Patients
Before the dentist sees the patient, the hygienist will do an exam to take a look at the overall health of the patient’s teeth. They check for early signs of gum disease and tooth decay. Hygienists usually report all of their findings to the dentist before the dentist completes their examination of the patient.
X-Rays
It is usually a hygienist’s job to take x-rays of patients in order to detect issues that cannot be seen with the naked eye. They also can take impressions of individual teeth for making implants and other oral appliances that a patient may need.
Counseling of Patients
Dental anxiety is extremely common and keeps many people from coming to the dentist on a regular basis. Often times, it’s the dental hygienist’s job to talk to patients and make them feel as comfortable and calm is possible. If a patient is getting a treatment done, the hygienist gives the instructions on how to care for their teeth afterwards for the best possible results.
Treatment
It isn’t only your dentist’s job to administer treatment. Hygienists hold many different responsibilities when it comes to treating patients, especially for regular checkups and cleanings. They remove buildups of tartar and plaque on the teeth, give fluoride treatments, apply sealants, polish teeth, and much more.
Your hygienist plays a big role in how smoothly your visit to the dental office goes. You can thank them for your sparkly, clean smile at the end of every appointment.
About the Author
Dr. Steven Hatch earned his dental degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and has been practicing for over a decade. He continues to complete as many hours of continuing education as he is able to each year and has completed the Biomet Synergy Training Program and multiple other courses. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (434) 841-1704.