When people think about the daily operations of a dental office, most think about the dentist as handling the bulk of oral healthcare. While their expertise is certainly invaluable, they’re far from the only ones who will help you get the care that you need.
Dental hygienists are a crucial part of any checkup or restorative treatment. In fact, they’re probably the person you’ll spend the most time with when you visit your dentist! If you want to learn more about what these oral health professionals can do for you, here’s what you should know about the core responsibilities of a dental hygienist.
Routine Screenings
If you’ve been to a dental checkup recently, it’s likely that you spent most of your time with your dental hygienist .This is because routine screenings for tooth decay, gum disease, and even oral cancer are all within their purview.
They also conduct most of the x-rays and impressions that take place, passing on this information to the dentist for a final diagnosis of any oral health problems you have.
Common Treatments
As you can imagine, the most complex restorative treatments, like root canals and oral surgery, are handled by dentists. However, this is far from the bulk of the treatment that occurs in the average dental practice.
The most common procedures are routine cleanings, fluoride treatments, and applying sealants. While a dentist may be the one who performs these treatments, they’re more often done by dental hygienists, who are trained in these procedures and complete them multiple times a day.
Educating Patients
By far the most important skill for a dental hygienist to have is the ability to communicate with and educate patients regarding their oral health.
Teaching patients about dental hygiene, the process of brushing and flossing, and what they can do to improve their oral health in general ensures they’re well-equipped to protect their teeth. This is especially important in pediatric practices, as children may be introduced to this information for the very first time at their dentist’s office.
As you can see, dental hygienists aren’t just your dentist’s sidekicks; they’re important medical professionals with a skillset entirely their own. Next time you or your child get a routine checkup and cleaning, you might want to thank your dental hygienist for all that they do!
About Our Practice
At Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, everyone in our office is united by one thing: a deep and abiding desire to help children smile their brightest. Our front office staff, our dental hygienists, and our incredible dentists put dental care at the center of everything that we do, which means that no matter what it is that your child needs to feel their best, we can ensure that they’ll get the care that they need.
If you have any questions about how our dental office works for you, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (303) 660-5373.
