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#12: Dental Hygienist

dental hygienist

#12: Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist

We are super excited to announce that we have a Dental Hygienist on our amazing team at Diamond Dental, Wantirna South!

We are so lucky to have Natalie join us, her experience and education in her field makes her one of the best hygienists in our industry. Natalie also has experience teaching Dental Hygiene.  After some time away to care for her two gorgeous babies, she is now excited to be back in the treatment room helping our patients.

What is a Dental Hygienist?

Dental Hygienists are specially trained dental team members who work together with your dentist to provide a full scope of dental care.

They provide four main tasks:

1. Evaluation: Dental hygienists assist the dentist by examining your mouth, teeth and gums, taking x-rays when needed.  They take into account your medical history. They then take this information to the dentist and they work together to provide fully integrated dental care that will assist your overall health.

2. Scaling and Polishing: maintaining excellent teeth and gums and providing thorough cleans.  Dental Hygienists are very skilled at teeth cleaning and achieve great results.

3. Prevention of decay: hygienists often apply decay preventing agents to the teeth, assisting you to be cavity free!

4. Education: teaching our fabulous patients the correct oral hygiene techniques specific to you. This one-on-one instruction covers how to care for your gums and teeth and advice on a healthy diet. It also covers how to prevent dental disease, assistance in how to quit smoking and evaluation of your jaws for headache prevention. Everyone’s mouth is different. A Dental Hygienist will go through personalised techniques that are specific to you.

What is the difference between a Dentist and a Dental Hygienist?

 A dental hygienist is your first line of defence against dental disease. Natalie’s focus is the overall health of your mouth, teeth and gums. She will clean your teeth, discuss options to avoid tooth decay and maintain the general well being of your oral health.

A dentists main focus is repairing the damage of dental disease and stopping it in it’s tracks. They restore broken or decayed teeth, they can perform root canals to save teeth or remove teeth that are too far gone to be saved. Their focus is the dental disease itself and also other treatments such as cosmetic enhancement of smiles, replacing missing teeth etc.

Why is it important to see a hygienist?

 All dental disease can be prevented. An amazing dental hygienist like Natalie will teach excellent home techniques to control plaque and tooth decay. Problems are less likely to progress to serious concerns requiring extensive (and expensive) treatment.

How often should I see a hygienist?

Ideally, most patients would see a dental hygienist every six months to maintain a healthy set of teeth and gums. A Dental Hygienist every six months will be able to give you a thorough clean and make sure there are no early signs of dental disease.

What if I need a filling? 

Often a hygienist might find a cavity whilst doing her exam. If this occurs during your visit with Natalie, she would alert the dentist who will then provide a filling before the tooth becomes heavily decayed and causes pain.

Can an Dental Hygienist see children?

Absolutely! Creating a routine for kids to see the hygienist or dentist on a regular basis sets them up for good dental health for life. We are passionate about teaching children effective cleaning techniques to do at home.  The importance of drinking water and eating healthy to prevent dental disease. Many of the children who have seen us over the last ten years don’t have a single cavity! We congratulate their parents on showing their children the importance of good oral health.

Is it expensive?

If we can prevent dental disease for you in future then that can only mean $$$ in savings for you!! The average dental hygiene visit is around $200 for a check up and a thorough clean. If you have private health insurance you will find that your health fund will pay most, if not all of this.

How do I make an appointment to see Natalie?

Call us on 9887 4447 and ask to see Natalie, or go online to www.diamond-dental.com.au/appointments and select Natalie from the ‘Practitioners’ drop down menu at the top left.

We look forward to seeing you soon!!!