What is a hygienist?

A Dental Hygienist is a tertiary trained, registered health professional who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases-both to protect teeth and gums, and also to protect patients' total health. They are an integral part of a modern preventive dental team.

As part of dental hygiene services, dental hygienists may:

• perform oral health care assessments that include the review of patients' health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and evaluation of gum disease/health;


• expose, process, and interpret dental radiographs (x-rays);


• remove plaque and calculus (“tartar”) from above and below the gumline using dental instruments;


• apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and sealants to the teeth;


• administer local anaesthetic;


• place protective rubber dams


• take impressions of the jaws


• educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums;
  counsel patients about plaque control and developing individualized at-home oral hygiene programmes;


• counsel patients on the importance of good nutrition for maintaining optimal oral health

amongst other duties. In addition, as oral health thearpists, they also do restorative treatment on patients up to 18 years of age.