Anybody that has visited their local dentist over recent times will have most probably been offered a dental hygienist. While the dentist was once responsible for absolutely everything related to your teeth, the industry has altered somewhat over recent years and many practices have employed hygienists who specialize in cleaning the mouth.
Patients who have been regularly visiting their dentist for the last few decades are rightfully suspicious of such changes, with many questioning the need after receiving perfectly satisfactory treatment in the past. There’s no doubt that some dentists have abused the role of the hygienist and may try and unnecessarily shove the professional onto you in a bid to reap more profit. However, a lot of times they can be a very good solution, as we take a look at some of the frequently asked questions that patients pose in relation to this profession.
Dental Hygienist
What is a hygienist responsible for?
The name of this professional basically tells you everything you need to know about their role. The job has been invented to promote mouth hygiene; with hygienists responsible for cleaning teeth via scale and polishing methods.
Why have so many dentists opted to employ one in their practice?
A lot of dentists would rather deal with more pressing problems, with cosmetic and medical procedures being much more lucrative than standard appointments. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that a hygienist is merely an assistant to the dentist and their work is not valued. In comparison to the hygiene work that a lot of dentists used to perform, the tasks carried out by hygienists are much more advanced and will allow you to have much cleaner teeth. In short, they have devoted all of their training to cleaning teeth and issuing advice on how to keep the mouth area as hygienic as possible. Therefore, while some dentists will employ them to merely ‘pass on the work’, a lot realise that they are exceptionally important for a practice if the establishment is to be known as a reputable provider of the very best dental care.
Do hygienists treat children’s teeth?
Some procedures are not suitable to be used on children, but most hygienists will be able to treat them through other means. They will be able to polish and provide solutions to prevent future problems, whilst offering that all important advice that can become important for later life.
What are the typical prices for hygienists?
This is arguably where the drawbacks arrive – particularly if you get most of your dental care provided via the NHS. As you will have probably already found out, basic mouth hygiene procedures are covered in Band 1 of the NHS’s plan and this means that it will cost you a flat fee of £18. However, most of the time this WON’T be performed by a trained hygienist and will instead be done by your standard dentist. If you wish to ensure that your teeth are being cared for by a qualified hygienist, the costs are slightly higher. Most private clinics, such as aigburthdentalpractice.co.uk, charge £40 and while this is by no means excessive, it is more than double what an NHS dentist will charge. Therefore, you must decide whether or not you want the increased care that hygienists can provide.
