What is a dental hygienist?
Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who specialize in preventing, identifying, and treating your teeth and gums. Dental hygienists complete clinical education programs with an emphasis on dental hygiene and perform extensive supervised patient care before licensure. They must pass a written national board exam, too. Some dental hygienists, outside of treating patients directly, work as researchers and educators.
What does a dental hygienist do?
Dental hygienists represent an important part of Dr. Bello’s staff. They work closely with her to address a broad range of oral health issues, providing a variety of services, including:
- Teeth cleanings to remove tartar and plaque from teeth
- Preventive care such as fluoride treatment
- Oral health assessments
- Health history reviews, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspections, and dental charting
- Taking dental X-rays, dental impressions, and monitoring patient vital signs
- Dental health education to teach patients about proper brushing and flossing techniques, and good nutrition habits
- Dental record maintenance
At Bello Dental Associates, dental hygienists are a valued part of the team and play a key role in your positive patient experience.
Why do I need to see a dental hygienist?
Dental hygienists perform the routine teeth cleanings you need. For most people, one professional tooth cleaning per year may suffice. For others, more than one annually may be required. These regularly scheduled cleanings help you maintain good oral health, prevent gum disease and tooth decay, and keep your smile looking its best.
Dental hygienists also provide your oral health assessments and are key players in identifying periodontal disease early on. For instance, if they discover bleeding gums during your teeth cleaning, they'll let Dr. Bello know to investigate the possibility of periodontal gum disease further. Bello Dental Associates team of dental hygienists are compassionate and kind, and care about your oral health.
