Background
The General Dental Council permits patients to directly access the services of dental hygienists from 1 May 2013. Previously, a dentist had to see a patient prior to hygiene treatment.
Direct Access
A hygienist can see you to:
· Provide oral hygiene advice,
· Remove stain, tartar, bacterial deposits, and other debris.
· In relation to gums, the hygienist can advise you on the progression of gum disease, but more advanced conditions need to be assessed by a dentist, and then hygienist then continues treatment under prescription of the dentist.
Dental hygienists can’t diagnose or give the prognosis (the likely outcome) of diseases such as decaying and broken teeth, prescribe antibiotics, painkillers or any other drugs to alleviate symptoms. Visits to hygienist are not a substitute for full dental examinations.
Referral to Dentist
If the hygienist advises you to see a dentist, it is because they feel that:
· It is in the interest of your health.
· It is outside the scope of what they are allowed to do.
· They are uncertain about treating you without further advice.
There are very rare circumstances when a hygienist can’t start treatment and may insist that a dentist assesses you first. This may be because they are concerned about your medical history, general health, or the condition of your mouth.