Hygienists are trained to provide instruction in oral hygiene and the maintenance of healthy gums. As such, they are able to concentrate solely on the aspect of gingival (gum) health. They are able to provide treatment to maintain healthy gums, eliminating or reducing gum disease working under the instruction of a dentist. A treatment plan is required from the referring dentist outlining the oral hygiene care required. This treatment plan can be valid for up to three years. This provides dentists who do not have a hygienist within their own practice with the scope of the provision of hygiene care at a specialist practice. Our hygienist will liaise closely with the referring dentist to ensure that the patient’s periodontal condition is kept under constant review.

Hygienists play an important role in your dental care, working with you to maximise preventative oral health and minimise the need for dental treatment. Patients can be referred to a hygienist by their own dentist, or patients may self-refer.

Trained to provide treatment to maintain healthy gums, eliminating or reducing gum disease, the hygienist’s main role is to professionally clean the patient’s teeth. This is usually called ‘scaling and polishing’. However, perhaps their most important role is showing people the best way to keep their teeth free of plaque themselves, and how to clean properly between your teeth with interdental brushes, floss or tape. There are a wide variety of oral care products available, including a vast selection of toothpastes, electronic toothbrushes, and mouthwashes, of which your hygienist can recommend those that are best for you.