Dental checkups are never as clear cut as, everything's okay and no further action is required
. A dentist will always refer you to a dental hygienist to get your teeth cleaned professionally and all in all have a good dental pampering experience for a nice price. The price can be just nice or nicer depending on your circumstances as well as the offers that the dental Practice has on at that time. The hygienist's process to make your experience at the dental practice memorable:
Assessment of Patient: the patient is assessed on the state of their oral hygiene looking at areas of the teeth and gums for plaque, etc. The patient is then told what will come next including any treatment where applicable.
Diagnosis for Dental Hygiene: The patient's previous records (where applicable) are checked along with current records to identify what the patient's current state of oral health is and to ascertain whether additional treatment is viable based on previous treatment already completed.
Treatment Planning: It's important that a plan is devised for the patient so that both the hygienist and the patient know, roughly when the dental problems will be addressed.
Dental plan implemented: It's important that once you have been told what treatment you will require, that you get the sessions scheduled in. If you have a preferred dentist at the practice, who you have dealt with previously, then make sure they are scheduled in fast.
Dental Review: These are done every 6 months usually (may vary between practice to practice). The local dental practice contact you highlighting that a dental appointment is due and that you should contact them to book that in.
Dental therapists do a similar job as the dental hygienist but the only difference is that they specialise in dealing with children oral hygiene. Under the prescription of a Dentist, Dental therapists will have certain restrictions or exemptions related to the kind of work they can carry out at the practice. This includes (but not limited) to children's teeth analysis, radiographs as well as providing dental sealants.