Your dental hygienist can do more than just remove tartar, stain, and plaque from your teeth. Your dental hygienist is also the oral-systemic health advocate that can educate you on how to achieve a clean, healthy and happy smile!

 

 

Here is why this appointment is so important for you?

 

 

• An oral cancer screening of the head, neck and intra-oral areas is completed. As Dental Hygienists, it is our responsibility to check these areas for you to make sure you are in good health.

• We will take a look at your medications and health conditions to determine how they can affect your mouth.

• We will be honest and friendly while we assess your current home care routine and suggest modifications to help you reduce the bacteria in your mouth. Did you know it is not all about flossing? A recent study outlining the benefits of using inter-dental products can reduce the bacteria between your teeth more effectively.

• We will take pictures of your teeth, head, and current dental work. To document an identifiable record of you.

• 75% of the population has periodontal disease are you part of that 75%? If you are, we will show you how to treat it so you are not passing it along to loved ones.

• We will gather information about you and your oral health and if needed, we can refer you for further treatment should you require it.

• Not sure what toothpaste to buy? Should you use a manual or an electric toothbrush? We will show you evidence-based research to make sure you are using the right products to take care of your mouth.

• We will provide you with a nice summary report of your visit with us. It will include information about your mouth and customized information about how you can take care of your mouth at home.

 

 

The complete dental hygiene examination and diagnosis appointment include:

 

• History; personal, medical, dental, and oral risk factors are reviewed.

• Vital signs are assessed and your blood pressure is taken.

• Extra-oral examination of the head and neck is performed; including the temporomandibular joint, lymph nodes, symmetry and skin lesions are all assessed.

• Intra-oral examination including examination of the lips, oral mucosa, frena, hard and soft palate, tonsillar pillars, oropharynx, tongue, the floor of the mouth, salivary flow and assessment of edentulous arches.

• Dental hygiene examination includes development anomalies, risk assessment for caries and carious lesions, existing restoration, missing teeth, rotations, diastemas, contacts, occlusal relationships, para-functional habits, attrition, abrasion, ab-fraction, erosion, pulp-vitality, sensitivity, and discomfort. The dental hygiene examination may include collaboration and or referral with an oral health care provider.

• Periodontal assessment includes risk assessment for periodontal disease, bleeding upon probing, medications, local contributing factors, history of periodontitis, gingival health, sulcus depths, adequacy of attached gingiva, gingival inflammation, signs of disease progression: recession, clinical attachment level, furcation involvement, tooth mobility, occlusal trauma, mucogingival conditions and may include radiograph interpretation and referral as necessary.

• Oral self-care assessment includes oral hygiene and possibly microbiological assessment, general health activities and nutrition related to oral health.

• Intra-oral and extra-oral photos are taken of your mouth, head, and neck.

 

Upon completion of your dental hygiene examination, clients are provided with a summary report detailing their findings and recommendations.

​