Dental Hygienist

Cleans teeth above and below the gum level (scaling), polishes teeth, advises on diet and home care of the mouth including advising on which products to use, takes measurement of gum health, uses antibiotic therapy to treat gum disease, applies protective coatings to kids teeth (fissure sealants), able to take x rays and impressions of teeth under guidance of a dentist, works in cooperation with the patients dentist.

www.bdha.org.uk

Oral Health Educator

Engaged in teaching patients methods of home oral health care: manual brushing; electric tooth brushing; flossing; cleaning between teeth/ gaps; special cleaning problems eg bridges, dentures and implants; advising on products to use; advising on the effect of diet on tooth decay and gum disease.

Dental Therapist.

Can do all the things a hygienist does, plus fillings in teeth for adults and children as long as the nerve of the tooth is not involved, extractions of childrens teeth.

What can a Dental Hygienist do?

	Scaling and polishing teeth
	Application of fissure sealants and fluoride
	Oral hygiene and diet
	Taking impressions of your teeth
	Taking dental x rays

What can a Dental Therapist do?

	Treatment for both adults and children
	Providing fillings in baby and permanent teeth
	Extraction of deciduous (baby) teeth
	Scaling and polishing teeth
	Advising on oral hygiene and diet
	Application of fissure sealants and fluoride
	Repairing crowns with temporary cement
	Taking impressions of your teeth
	Taking dental x rays
	Pulp therapy on deciduous teeth