Most of us think that a quick brush once or twice a day, along with occasional workouts with old dental floss, will keep our teeth in tip-top condition. Good dentists and dental hygienists know better. If you want to keep your teeth as long as possible, then you need to keep them clean. And visit a hygienist regularly. Patients love their dentists ... provided they are good.
Good hygienists are not a dozen, they are a rare breed that actually cares about teeth. Many people (mistakenly) assume that they are just people who did not want to shell out all the time, energy and cash to finish dental school. Indeed, to become a dental hygienist one has to complete an accredited dental hygiene program of at least two years duration and many pass at the state and national levels. Some complete a four-year Bachelor of Science program in medical hygiene, which includes courses in oral anatomy and hygiene theory.
Teaching good dental hygiene is an art in itself, and doing it properly is not something to sneeze at (especially when your hygienist is looking into your mouth). For a seal of quality and training, see RDH or Registered Dental Hygienist after their name. This means that he or she (usually he / she) is a licensed oral health professional, and has the necessary skills and background to work on your smile.
Duties of a dentist
Dental hygienists do much more than teach young children how to brush. While dentists diagnose and treat dental problems, it is up to the hygienist to keep them in good repair. After all, why pay thousands of dollars on dental work, only to yellow your pearl white and let it rot in small stumps? To ensure that we keep our teeth in a sparkling state, the hygienist can:
* Examine both teeth and gums. Also take an X-ray and evaluate the gums (periodontal)
* Keep a record of any disease, abnormality etc. Diagnosis of any condition should normally be made by the dentist
* Removal of both hard and soft deposits of clean teeth, plaque, stones, etc.
* Apply agents that will help act as sealants and / or prevent cavities and decay
* Administer local anesthesia (dentists in some states are also eligible to apply other types of anesthetics)
* Teach the basics of good oral hygiene and how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease - promoting oral health as well as safety strategies. It may also include the introduction and maintenance of quit smoking programs, as well as the importance of good nutrition for strong teeth and gums.
Remember that each person has their own licensing agreement that can refer to a dentist. He will work closely with either dentist, but precise responsibilities are, at least partially, dependent on state regulation.
Tools used
Medical hygienists, of course, rely on a wide variety of devices to do the job properly. Because most of the equipment is small, the hygienist must be adept at working with their hands. As technology progresses, the tools used are the basics here:
* Hand and rotary tools. Used to clean teeth
* Ultrasonic device. Also used for cleaning, polishing and removing stains
* Teeth Model. To better clean patients, perform root canal therapy or apply some cleaning agents and sealants.
* Anesthetic devices like syringes etc. To apply local anesthesia
Dental hygienist overview
If your thought of putting your hands in someone else's mouth makes you want to lie, think again. Government findings from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics say dental hygiene is a growing profession, and is expected to grow by 30 percent by 2016. Because of this, younger dentists who retire are not as employed as older dentists. Are replacing them.
The increase is also because dentists want to focus on other, perhaps more attractive, procedures, allowing their hygienists to do more and more. However, due to these procedures, more and more people are keeping their natural teeth longer, rather than relying on dentures. It is also contributing to the demand for proper dental maintenance and protection, making dental hygiene one of the fastest growing businesses.
Do not confuse a dentist with a dental assistant, however, as previously licensed to perform only the specific diagnostic tasks outlined above. According to the instructions given by the dentist, dentists focus more on preparing equipment for assistant use, performing laboratory duties (in some cases) and doing some basic hands-on work. They can only work under close supervision, and receive less pay than hygienists on the whole.
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