Dental hygienists are a vital part of the team that meets the oral and overall health needs of patients. While dental hygienists are best known for cleaning teeth, they do much more.  They:

• provide treatment for early and moderate gum disease. 

• take, process, and interpret x-rays – also called “radiographs”

• apply sealants and fluorides to teeth

• document patient care. 

Dental hygienists also play an important role as prevention specialists. They:

• teach patients appropriate oral hygiene techniques, such as tooth brushing and flossing

• counsel patients regarding nutrition and tobacco and their impact on oral health.

Hygienists are also trained to recognize the warning signs of potentially life-threatening diseases whose early symptoms first appear in the mouth. These include:

• oral cancer

• osteoporosis

• cardiovascular disease

• HIV

• diabetes

• eating disorders.

While they don’t diagnose, they can guide patients on questions to ask their dentists.

Overall, dental hygienists are primarily responsible for life-long monitoring and protection of patients’ oral health.

For more information:

Go to the Dental Hygiene health topic.