A Dental Hygienist is a registered dental health professional, who has graduated from an accredited school of dental hygiene. In New Zealand hygienists graduate from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Oral Health degree.

In our practice they work closely with the periodontist, providing patient education, evaluation and treatment of gum disease. After your initial assessment, the hygienist will often be the first person you see for treatment. She will perform scaling and root-planning treatment, which after a period of healing will be assessed by her, and/or the periodontist to decide on what additional treatment is required to obtain periodontal health.

Once this is achieved your hygienist will see you periodically to maintain your gums in their healthy state. This is called ‘maintenance treatment’ and will normally occur four-to-six monthly. Your gum health and home care will be re-evaluated and scaling and polishing treatment will be performed.