Dental hygienists have vital role

By KATHERINE HOBY

A dentist is not the only oral health professional you can see.

Kate Rotolla-Reed is associate chairwoman of the Dental Hygienists Association.

So what is a dental hygienist, and what can he or she do for you?

Kate Rotolla-Reed says there is a common misconception that seeing a hygienist is a purely cosmetic procedure.

While it is true that you will have cleaner teeth at the end of the treatment, the true purpose of the visit is anything but superficial.

The dental hygienist is an educator as well as a clinician. He or she is trained in preventive and periodontal dentistry.

Although a fairly young profession in New Zealand, hygienists have been practising for 75 years in Britain and the United States.

* 1989 - Dental Act changed to allow for the practice of dental hygienists.

* 1993 - Dental Hygienist Association (NZDHA) founded by Mary Mowbray.

* 1994 - Training school for dental hygienists opens in Otago.

* 1995 - First graduation of New Zealand Dental Hygienists.

There are about 140 dental hygienists in New Zealand, with about 95 practising, from Kaitaia to Invercargill.

Their aim is to raise each individual's awareness in oral care to encourage healthy mouths and bodies.



WHO'S WHO The dental team consists of dental therapist, dental hygienist and dentist.

* Dental therapist - provides preventive and restorative treatment for children aged 2 to 12 years of age in school facilities.

* Dental hygienist - oral care educator and preventive clinician of tooth and gum disease.

* Dentist - has a general understanding of all disciplines of dentistry.