Dentist and hygienist - different practices

Sorry I don't actually know the answer to your question-but do understand your aversion to the hygienist.

In my last NHS practice I had an excellent dentist but I after my first appointment with a hygienist I lost confidence in her. I found her to be quite rough and after a clean and polish when I rinsed out an old crown just came away.

I saw another dentst in the practice straight away and my usual one the next morning but it was a gonner.

I realise that the crown was very old but had never caused any problems, and am also aware that they don't last forever. But, I do wonder as she was so harsh compared to other hygienists.

Afterwards, I always booked an appointment with a different one.

The regulations changed some time ago so you can see a hygienist in another practice without seeing a dentist at that practice. However not all hygienists are happy to do this so you may need to ring around.

It is possible to do this.

Whether you would find a practice willing to let you just use their hygienist, and the original dentist let you use his/her services whilst not seeing their hygienist is a different matter.

Hygienists do get a bad press - but they are only cleaning off what you miss! If you brushed your teeth well enough to not build up tartar, then every visit to any hygienist would be a breeze.

What if, after a few visits to an alternative hygienist, your dentist noticed that your gums were deteriorating? He would not really have any control over a hygienist on someone else's payroll. Relations with the 'good' dentist could become very strained.

I have 2 very thorough hygienists, and there is generally an inverse relationship between how good patients are at toothbrushing, and how much they moan about the hygienist!! That is, up to the point where they actually have a problem with gum disease - then they generally appreciate the difference between a good thorough one, and one that just tickles.

If pain & sensitivity are a problem, then there are anaesthetics that can be used if you let her know how uncomfortable you find it. If it's a good practice, that shouldn't be difficult?

As for hygienists taking crowns off or fillings out - yes, it does happen. But it wouldn't happen if a crown/filling was sound and well held in. From what you write Contessa it sounds like your tooth was pretty rotten underneath your crown, if it couldn't be saved. This again is not uncommon, as even on x-ray, you can't see what's happening under crowns. It would more than likely have come off whilst eating at some point in the next few weeks anyway. It could even have flared up and given you trouble. So although it doesn't feel like it, she probably did you a favour by discovering the problem.

Personally, I like having good thorough hygienists. If people do have a problem with that, I would much sooner they went elsewhere anyway. I first introduced hygienists to the practice about 17 years ago. My main one is still that one I first employed all that time ago. In that time, I have seen the dental health of the patients that have stuck with it improve remarkably.

It is perfectly possible that this hygienist isn't very nice, or good - but it not being a pleasant experience isn't really enough for me to say one way or another, and my feeling is, she's probably quite good!

Thanks, Toothsmith. The crown was indeed very old but had never been a problem. I do realise that they have a limited life but unfortunately the experience has left me dreading seeing a hygienist.

It would have been helpful if my concern had been acknowledged and an explanation given - rather than "It's a goner. Nothing more to be done"

When booking future appointments I made sure I saw a different hygienist and told them what happened and how I feared a repeat. To be fair they were all much gentler - even if that means not as thorough?? - but at least I wasn't afraid to go back.

Years before, in a different part of the country, I had an appointment with a hygienist early on Monday morning. I knew I was in for a very unpleasant experience as she immediately told me her boyfriend had ditched her the day before! And so she continued throughout the treatment. Had I been able to speak I would have told her she should take it out on her boyfriend not me!

But at least my crown was still intact afterwards!

On my first visit to the new dentist, after retirement of original, I was told how good my teeth were and 'I can't even clean them for you. Come back in a year.'

Forward two years and the practice employed a hygienist. I endured her a couple of times, but after her brusqueness, verging on rudeness, last time I said no more.

I now have a NH clean, although dentist says my brushing and intra-dental work are excellent and I don't really need it.