What Is a Dental Hygienist?
Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases-both to protect teeth and gums, and also to protect patients' total health. They are graduates of accredited dental hygiene education programs in colleges and universities, and must take a written national board examination and a clinical examination before they are licensed to practice. In addition to treating patients directly, dental hygienists may also work as educators, researchers, and administrators.

What Do Dental Hygienists Do?
Each state has its own specific regulations and the range of services performed by dental hygienists varies from one state to another. As part of dental hygiene services, dental hygienists may:

· perform oral health care assessments that include the review of patients' health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and evaluation of gum disease/health;

· expose, process, and interpret dental radiographs (x-rays);

· remove plaque and calculus (“tartar”) from above and below the gumline using dental instruments;

· apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and sealants to the teeth;

· administer local anesthetic and / or nitrous oxide analgesia;

· educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums;

· counsel patients about plaque control and developing individualized at-home oral hygiene programs;

· administer smoking cessation programs; and

· counsel patients on the importance of good nutrition for maintaining optimal oral health.

Where Do Dental Hygienists Work?
Clinical dental hygienists may work in a variety of health care settings such as private dental offices, schools, public health clinics, hospitals, managed care organizations, correctional institutions, nursing homes or in a corporate environment. In addition to the clinical role, dental hygienists may also work in an administrative capacity in any of the above locations.

What Does the "RDH" Designation Mean?
The "RDH" means Registered Dental Hygienist. The RDH credential identifies a dental hygienist as a licensed oral health professional. State licensure requirements typically indicate that a dental hygienist must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene education program, successfully pass a national written examination, and a state or regional clinical examination. (In Indiana, the designation LDH [Licensed Dental Hygienist] is used instead of RDH.)

So What Should You Expect from Your Dental Hygienist?
Registered dental hygienists can provide a wide range of services as determined by laws in each state. These services include the following:

· After assessing a patient’s individual oral health condition and incorporating the most current scientific research, including consideration of the impact of oral health on diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, dental hygienists plan a specific treatment plan designed to make sure each patient has the best oral health possible.

· Targeted and specific dental hygiene treatment for children, adolescents, adults, older adults, and patients who are medically compromised.

· Because targeted and specific systemic diseases like heart disease and diabetes,
as well as other conditions, have signs and symptoms that appear in the mouth first, dental hygienists monitor for evidence of disease, and where they find suspicious conditions, inform the patient and recommend a visit to a physician.

· While assessing a patient’s overall health, they also look for problems such as caries (cavities) and periodontal (gum) disease.

· Dental hygienists perform thorough head and neck examinations to look for oral cancer and other problems.

· To prevent and treat disease, they remove plaque (a stubborn film that contains bacteria), and calculus, both above and below the gum line.

· To prevent caries, dental hygienists provide nutrition counseling, apply fluorides or pit and fissure sealants, and in some states, place, polish and contour fillings.

· Because dental hygienists specialize in preventive oral health care, they educate their patients, the community, and schools on oral health and its effect on overall health, as well provide dietary education and counseling.

· They expose, develop, and interpret oral X-rays.

· In many states, registered dental hygienists administer local anesthesia and/or nitrous oxide.

· Dental hygienists also evaluate how their recommendations are working and, when necessary, revise treatment as it progresses to help patients achieve their oral health goals.

Please Call Today to Set up Your Dental Hygiene Appointment.