Understanding the Role of Dental Hygienists

There is an African proverb to the effect of “it takes a village to raise a child.” Former First Lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton, wrote a book by the same title. As far as we know, she never wrote any books about dentistry. We’re not even aware of any proverbs about dentistry for that matter. If there were one, though, it would go something like “it takes a team to keep your mouth healthy.”  

Your dentist in St. Albert gets a lot of the attention, but the dentist is far from the only member of your dental team. One of the key members of your dental team is the dental hygienist. In fact, you probably see a dental hygienist in St. Albert at most dental appointments even before you see a dentist, and maybe for just as long. Just what does a dental hygienist do, though? 

What do dental hygienist’s do?

The role of a dental hygienist near you is primarily a preventative one. Hygienists fulfil that role by performing the following ten tasks: 

• Compiling your oral history and reviewing charts of prior check ups and procedures 
• Updating your charts and dental records 
• Examining your teeth and gums to identify any indications of oral disease 
• Deep cleaning, scaling and polishing teeth 
• Applying fluoride to your teeth 
• Taking impressions of your teeth 
• Performing non-surgical procedures to improve gum health, including root planing 
• Sterilizing and maintaining dental implements, equipment and examination rooms 
• Providing advice and answering questions about oral hygiene and preventative care 
• Alerting the dentist of findings or concerns identified during examinations or reviews of your oral history and charts 

Dental hygienists also help patients and dentists by preparing diagnostic tests for review and evaluation by the dentists who determine the diagnosis. Hygienists also assist with orthodontic treatments and sometimes place fillings even in the absence of a dentist, but they do not perform complex dental procedures that are the purview of dentists, orthodontists, periodontists and surgeons.  

What education do dental hygienists receive?

Hygienists complete a diploma or bachelor program in dental hygiene that is usually three years long and includes education and training in oral and clinical science and preventative dentistry. In Alberta, people interested in training to be a dental hygienist can take the Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene Program (or Masters of Dental Hygiene) in the School of Dentistry at the University of Alberta. (That program is one of approximately 11 dental hygiene programs in Canada.)

Dental hygienists work in a variety of healthcare settings, including at the office of a dentist near you, dental hygiene clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, community health clinics, public health agencies and long-term care facilities. Hygienists are regulated by the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta. To be registered by the College, a dental hygienist must complete an approved diploma or bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene and successfully complete an approved examination. The regulator requires that dental hygienists take ongoing education courses and training. 

Any time that you have questions about any element of your treatment or oral care, don’t hesitate to speak to any member of the team at Erin Ridge Dental. Each team member will do their best to answer your question or refer you to the appropriate team member to address your concern.