Dental Hygienist:
At Cairns Precision Dental we have introduced a two component preventative care program. We believe that prevention is better than cure and it is also a much more cost effective option in the long term.
Research is suggesting that gum/jaw-bone disease is linked to other common health problems, so we treat dental disease in the some way other medical conditions should be addressed – promptly.
Your regular six monthly active maintenance visit will consist of two parts. An examination and discussion with one of the dentists will identify any areas of concern and explain any queries you have.
One of our qualified hygienists will then professionally clean your teeth, discuss the on going care of your teeth and apply any treatments that the dentist has recommended, such as fluoride.
Our ambition is to provide you with dental care for life, and we believe that our preventive care program is one of the most important services that we offer our patients.
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 dental health, preventing dental disease by providing individual oral hygiene care and education to patients.
What is a Hygienist’s role in the practice?
Hygienists perform the following main functions:
- Educating patients in oral hygiene techniques, including care of gums and teeth and advice on diet and prevention of dental disease.
- Evaluation and assessment of periodontal (gum) tissue, including x-ray discussion and review of medical history.
- Scaling and polishing of teeth.
- Application of decay prevention agents.
- Tooth whitening, study model and sports mouthguard construction.
Why doesn’t the Dentist do the work?
The Hygienist has been specially trained in the cleaning and maintenance of the mouth, teeth and gums. A dentist will refer a patient to a hygienist for more specialized oral care, while the dentist provides complex restorative care.