The dental hygienist a state licensed preventive oral health professional who specializes in cleaning teeth, assessing oral health conditions, and educating patients on proper hygiene. The work to remove tartar and plaque, take diagnostic x-rays, apply fluoride, sometimes apply sealants, and identify signs of gum disease or oral cancer.
Core Responsibilities and Roles:
- Preventive Care & Cleaning: Hygienists perform “prophylaxis” (cleaning), which involved scaling and polishing teeth to remove plaque, calculus, and stains above the gumline.
- Oral Health Assessment: The examine the head, neck, and mouth for signs of disease, perform periodontal charting (measuring the gum pocketing), and assess overall oral health.
- Diagnostics: The take and interpret diagnostic x-rays to help the dentist diagnose cavities and bone loss.
- Patient Education: A key role involves involves patients effective brushing and flossing techniques, discussing nutrition, and offer smoking cessation counseling.
- Preventive Treatments: The apply fluoride treatments, and sometime dental sealants to protect permanent teeth from decay.
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