What Is a Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a preventive oral health professional who graduates from an accredited dental hygiene program and obtains a license to practice in the field. Hygienists provide clinical, research, educational, and therapeutic services supporting total health through optimum oral health. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases of the mouth and supporting structures and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
Dental hygienists work under the supervision of a dentist to clean and maintain patients’ teeth, gums, and mouth. The main tasks involve removing hard and soft deposits called plaque and tartar, which can lead to gingivitis, gum disease, and tooth loss. Hygienists also remove stains and apply fluoride treatments to strengthen teeth, reduce tooth decay and fight gum disease. In addition, they often administer local anesthesia to numb the mouth for procedures such as tooth extractions and fillings.
The Role of a Dental Hygienist in Maintaining Oral Health
Other duties include taking x-rays, which help dentists identify and more accurately assess the status of a patient’s oral health. Hygienists are trained to spot early signs of problems such as bone loss, cavities, and signs of oral cancer. They can also give recommendations for preventive care, such as diet and lifestyle changes, or recommend special tools like ‘interdental’ brushes and floss, to aid in the prevention of future decay.
Hygienists also perform routine screenings for oral cancer and other diseases of the mouth, lips, tongue, throat and gums, which can be detected during a cleaning appointment. They may also offer advice on cessation methods for smokers, since it is well known that smoking contributes to periodontal (gum) disease.