{"id":396,"date":"2024-07-26T03:14:22","date_gmt":"2024-07-26T03:14:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/blog\/?p=396"},"modified":"2024-08-01T14:58:34","modified_gmt":"2024-08-01T14:58:34","slug":"patient-talking-to-a-dental-hygienist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/blog\/2024\/07\/26\/patient-talking-to-a-dental-hygienist\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does a Dental Hygienist Actually Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Patient<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When people think about the daily operations of a dental office, most think about the dentist as handling the bulk of oral healthcare. While their expertise is certainly invaluable, they\u2019re far from the only ones who will help you get the care that you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental hygienists are a crucial part of any checkup<\/a> or restorative treatment. In fact, they\u2019re probably the person you\u2019ll spend the most time with when you visit your dentist! If you want to learn more about what these oral health professionals can do for you, here\u2019s what you should know about the core responsibilities of a dental hygienist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Routine Screenings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been to a dental checkup recently, it\u2019s likely that you spent most of your time with your dental hygienist .This is because routine screenings for tooth decay, gum disease, and even oral cancer are all within their purview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also conduct most of the x-rays and impressions that take place, passing on this information to the dentist for a final diagnosis of any oral health problems you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Treatments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you can imagine, the most complex restorative treatments, like root canals and oral surgery, are handled by dentists. However, this is far from the bulk of the treatment that occurs in the average dental practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common procedures are routine cleanings, fluoride treatments, and applying sealants. While a dentist may be the one who performs these treatments, they\u2019re more often done by dental hygienists, who are trained in these procedures and complete them multiple times a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educating Patients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By far the most important skill for a dental hygienist to have is the ability to communicate with and educate patients regarding their oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching patients about dental hygiene, the process of brushing and flossing, and what they can do to improve their oral health in general ensures they\u2019re well-equipped to protect their teeth. This is especially important in pediatric practices, as children may be introduced to this information for the very first time at their dentist\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, dental hygienists aren\u2019t just your dentist\u2019s sidekicks; they\u2019re important medical professionals with a skillset entirely their own. Next time you or your child get a routine checkup and cleaning, you might want to thank your dental hygienist for all that they do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Our Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, everyone in our office is united by one thing: a deep and abiding desire to help children smile their brightest. Our front office staff, our dental hygienists, and our incredible dentists put dental care at the center of everything that we do, which means that no matter what it is that your child needs to feel their best, we can ensure that they\u2019ll get the care that they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any questions about how our dental office works for you, we can be reached at our website<\/a> or by phone at (303) 660-5373.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When people think about the daily operations of a dental office, most think about the dentist as handling the bulk of oral healthcare. While their expertise is certainly invaluable, they\u2019re far from the only ones who will help you get the care that you need. Dental hygienists are a crucial part of any checkup or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Do Dental Hygienists Do? | Castle Rock Smiles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dental hygienists perform some of the most important work at a dental practice. 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