A Day in the Life of a Dental Hygienist

When you go to the dentist in Duncanville, you get your teeth cleaned by your dental hygienist, there is a lot more to their job than just flossing and polishing your smile. There are all sorts of different responsibilities that they have on a daily basis, including patient care, aftercare, and work behind the scenes. Your dental hygienist works closely with your dentist in order to provide the best possible experience to patients. Continue reading to learn about some of the many responsibilities of your dental hygienist.

Patient Education

When you go to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned and examined to make sure that you aren’t dealing with any oral health issues, this is a great time to learn more about your smile. There is an educational aspect to your visit that many people often forget about. It is up to your hygienist to answer questions and give patients advice on how to make positive changes to their oral health. Sometimes, patients come in with serious issues, like severe periodontal disease or an abundance of cavities. A hygienist helps to educate them so they can get back on track towards a healthy smile.

Patient Consoling

Dental anxiety is an issue that many people deal with. Some patients even struggle with dental phobia, making it much more difficult for them to seek the essential oral healthcare that they need to stay healthy, including cleanings and checkups. A dental hygienist helps to make them feel as relaxed and calm as possible in order to make the appointment a breeze.

Screening Patients

Before your dentist comes into the treatment room, a dental hygienist does an exam in order to take a look at the overall condition of your mouth. They check for early signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and other abnormalities to report back to the dentist.

Impressions and X-Rays

When a patient needs a dental implant or an oral appliance, the hygienist is typically the one who will take the impressions of individual teeth in order to make this possible. They also take routine x-rays of patients in order to detect issues that cannot be easily seen by the naked eye.

Patient Treatment

Dentists aren’t the only ones in the office that treat patients. Hygienists are responsible for many tasks, especially regular cleanings and checkups. They remove plaque and tartar, give fluoride treatments, polish teeth, and even more.

When you go to the dentist next time for a cleaning, don’t forget about all the hard work that your dental hygienist puts into your appointment. You can thank them for helping you to maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, the team consists of both general and specialists in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, and prosthodontic, as well as skilled dental hygienists, so patients can get everything they need under one roof. The staff are devoted to completing numerous hours of continuing education every year in order to keep up with advances in technology and techniques. To learn more about dental insurance or schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (972) 331-8100.