What does a dental hygienist actually do

Scale and polish
Airflow polish
Assess the current health of your mouth and surrounding tissue
Take dental radiographs on prescription from a dentist
Provide fluoride varnish application on prescription from a dentist
Provide treatment using the latest technology, including comfort aids such as numbing
Provide you with oral health education and product recommendations
Send you home with a tailored treatment plan to maintain your oral health
Recommend further periodontic treatment where necessary

Will dental hygiene treatment hurt?

Scaling and polishing are usually totally pain free. However, if you do have any discomfort the hygienist can use anaesthetic creams, or give you some local anaesthetic. Please let your hygienist know at the time so they can help with your discomfort.

What can poor oral hygiene cause

Bad breath (halitosis)
The build-up of visible plaque and tartar
Stained teeth
Red, swollen or bleeding gums
Receding gums
Sensitive teeth
Pain when eating
Tooth decay
Loose teeth and even tooth loss
Dental abscesses

Direct Access

In 2013 the GDC removed its barrier to Direct Access for some dental care professionals after considering the impact on patient safety. Before then, every member of the dental team had to work on the prescription of a dentist. This meant that patients had to be seen by a dentist before being treated by any other member of the dental team.

For more information on this please see the GDC website.

For more information of dental hygiene please visit our dedicated hygiene page here.

Looking For “Brushing your teeth, how and why” find the blog here.

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What do they say about Larkham House?

“Over many years, I've always had great service here - from front desk through to treatment room. My dentist, Matthew Saad, is always very helpful, professional and reassuring.”

John

“I just like to say a big thank you to Dr Amir Jahromi and his assistant for repairing my chipped tooth. I could not believe when I got home and saw my tooth. It...”

Janet

“I was lucky enough to move to this dentist and an NHS patient when I was a teenager. Larkham house is definitely much more friendly than my previous dentist. I have recently had a...”

Jessica

“Very nice staff and nice dentists”

Olly

“Absolute amazing service from the staff at Larkham dental practice. Jo and Rachel were fantastic. While having two wisdom teeth removed, one side was very traumatic and very painful. Jo and Rachel were extremely...”

Lee

“I visited the dentist at Larkham House, and I cannot recommend it highly enough .My usual dentist was off so I had a lovely lady she put me at ease as soon as I...”

Jackie

“I used to be so very very nervous about going to the dentist now since I've been going to larkham house all my anxiety and worries have completely been forgotten. All the reception staff...”

Alan

Laura Johnson

19:36 24 Oct 22

Very friendly staff! I suffer with anxiety and every time I have an appointment the dentist is very patient and goes through everything to make sure I am OK and not too nervous. The dentist nurses, particularly Rachel is amazing! Especially with my children when they come in makes me feel at ease!

Teresa Floyd

08:16 21 Aug 22

Had a referral from Seven Trees as I had severe dental painI am a very nervous patient however the service I received was outstanding from the minute I arrived to the minute I left and no more tooth painThank you so much

Christine Boyle

20:10 07 Apr 22

Had an appointment with Clohe yesterday and I can't praise her enough. So thorough and nothing was too much trouble for her. She was very caring and cosiderat e I felt relaxed and nothing was too much of a problem for her too deal with. My appointment was not rushed .

Adam Davie

19:59 10 Oct 21

From the offset call confirming my appointment this dental practice experience was five star compared to dentist based Midlands . Front desk staff / nurses excellent giving me the reassurance that I was booked in with a great dentist as I personally have a fear of the dentist being in my late 30s . After my review etc with the dentist it was forgone conclusion that a full on extraction was required the dentist himself was unbelievable reassuring excellent service total professionalism which I haven’t come across recently, great team whom care about the patient journey I most certainly didn’t just feel like a number under their care . Thank you to all staff at Larkham House Dental Practice.

Anthony Grave

20:07 12 May 21

Very good

brian rogers

16:08 18 Mar 21

On the 18/3/21 I had 2 extractions From the outset the staff were very friendly helpful and very professional the Dentist was brilliant I never felt hardly any of the extractions I will definitely use a again excellent service thank you...

What does a hygienist actually do ?

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