Medical history check:
Legal requirement before any treatment can commence
Oral health screening:
This involves a general assessment of your overall oral health to identify any issues or areas of concern
Mouth cancer check:
The hygienist/therapist will examine your mouth for any signs of oral cancer, including checking the lips,
tongue and throat for unusual lumps, sores or discolouration
Gingiva/Periodontal condition (Gums) check:
Your gums will be examined for signs of gum disease, such as redness,
swelling or bleeding. The hygienist/therapist may use a probe to measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth to
further assess your periodontal condition (gum condition)
Soft tissue examinations:
The hygienist will inspect the soft tissues in your mouth, including inside of your cheeks, floor of the mouth and the palate (roof of the mouth) for any abnormalities or signs of infection
Hard tissue examination (Teeth):
This includes checking your teeth and bones for any signs of decay, damage or other issues
If there is a requirement for x-rays the hygienist/therapist will recommend you seeing your own Dentist
Please note it is recommended to see a Dentist for at least once a year and x-rays every 2 years dependent on risk.
Scaling:
The hygienist/therapist uses specialist instruments to remove plaque (soft deposits) and Tarter (Calculus) from your teeth
This can be done using hand instruments, ultrasonic scalers or a mixture of both. This procedure allows your gums to become healthy
and is a base line start for oral health improvement
Polishing:
After scaling the teeth may be polished to remove surface stain and smooth the teeth. The DH uses a rotating cup with prophylaxis paste
gritty paste). Polishing helps give the teeth a smooth shiny finish and makes it harder for plaque to accumulate on the teeth
Oral health education:
Tooth brushing techniques, interdental cleaning (ID) techniques , tailored recommendations for brushes , floss , ID aids