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How do I know if I should see denatal hygienist?
Comments
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brook2jack wrote: »I
There is alot of evidence to back up the view that no treatment should be provided until the patient improves their oral care. However it can also be argued that removing the larger tartar deposits will make it easier to clean.
So it can be argued that a significant part of the population will not change their cleaning habits yet want scaling and stain removal . In the new NHS dental pilots until they improve their cleaning and diet they will not be given any other treatment , except to alleviate pain , and instruction in oral hygiene.
I've found that the hygienist has helped me by teaching me how to care for my teeth. Maybe I sound naïve but she's given me a routine to follow which has helped considerably.
On the more general question: it seems that a bit like GPs and practice nurses/nurse practitioners that dentists are sharing the workload and leaving the more routine stuff to hygienists. My previous dentist used to do everything in terms of check up plus the scale and polish all in one appointment. He had a dental nurse but no hygienist. I needed to move practices and was surprised at the cursory, few minutes that the dentist spent doing the check up. When I commented to the receptionist she suggested that for the (now missing) scale and polish I should see the hygienist.
In my case, we have private dental care so I'm not paying any extra.0 -
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