At Calcagno Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we value each member of our staff. Without them, our patients would not receive the personalized care we are known for and proud to deliver. Our dental hygienists play an important role in our office. We feature three hygienists to help patients achieve optimum oral health. What exactly do dental hygienists do? In this article, Rochester family dentist Dr. Gilly Calcagno explains the role of a dental hygienist in the dentist office.
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
Before you see your dentist, a dental hygienist will clean teeth by removing plaque and tartar from teeth, as well as performing an oral examination to determine any oral problems. Dental hygienists may also provide fluoride treatments, or assist in periodontal disease treatment to keep tooth enamel strong and gums free of inflammation. To avoid advanced cases of gum disease, your hygienist can provide root planing, which clears periodontal pockets of plaque and bacteria. Across the country, you may find hygienists performing duties typically exclusive to dentists, like filling cavities or polishing metal dental work. Usually, hygienists play a crucial role in patient education. You may see our hygienists explaining procedures or dental issues to patients in our office during your visit.
How Do You Become a Hygienist?
Typically, dental hygienists must receive at least two years of education relevant to the field while earning their dental hygiene degree, covering anatomy, nutrition, and clinical studies among other topics. More specialized schools offering dental hygienist degrees require four to six years of training and studying. A degree and dental hygienist certificate qualifies hopeful hygienists for work in a dentist office. Each of our hygienists holds a college degree in dental hygiene, in addition to years of experience serving patients.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Rochester Dentist
Come see for yourself what our dental hygienists do. Schedule an appointment for a routine cleaning or consultation for cosmetic dentistry, and meet our staff. If you have questions about procedures, insurance, or payment options, our staff can help you reach your oral health goals. We welcome patients of all ages at our 55902 dentist office. Call (507) 281-3659 to schedule your appointment. Our patients come from Rochester, Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington, and surrounding communities.
