We are delighted to announce that as of August 2025, we will have four hygienists in total as part of our clinical team here at Renmore Dental! This will significantly increase our capacity for hygienist appointments, meaning much shorter waiting times for scale and polish appointments for our patients.
To mark this exciting new chapter for our clinical team, we want to break down what exactly a dental hygienist does, what treatments they provide, and why they are such a vital part of our practice team.
What does a dental hygienist do?
A hygienist is a qualified dental professional who offers patients teeth cleaning services, while also educating patients on their oral hygiene and providing preventative care.
As a dental practice that focuses on preventative care first, our dental hygienists play an essential role in providing the best care for our patients. This role includes many different aspects:
Prevention
Regular scale and polish (teeth cleaning) appointments involve the hygienist removing plaque and tartar buildup from around the teeth and gums, which is an essential step in preventing dental issues such as gum disease and decay.
Education
During your visit, the dental hygienist will provide tips and instructions on proper oral care & maintenance, from how to brush & floss correctly to which products are suited to your specific dental needs.
Detection
The hygienist carries out a gum assessment during your cleaning appointment, which checks for areas of particular plaque and tartar buildup, and screens for issues such as gingivitis or periodontal disease. Detecting these issues early greatly improves the success of their treatment.
Treatment
Along with preventative scale and polish appointments, hygienists also provide services to treat diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis (different stages of gum disease). Periodontal treatments such as root planing are essential in managing these conditions and preventing further deterioration of the gums and teeth.
Support
Dental hygienists work under the prescription of a dentist to provide their patients with the highest standard of care. They support the dentist in their work and play a major part in improving a patient’s overall oral health, which is why the dentist and hygienist will often liaise with each other in formulating a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient. This is why the dentist might refer you to see the hygienist as part of the overall dental work you require.
What different types of treatment does a dental hygienist provide?
Our dental hygienists are qualified to provide many different services, from basic scale and polish appointments to more advanced gum treatments, e.g. for periodontal disease.
Hygienists can also provide topical fluoride application for decay prevention, take intraoral images to educate patients on their oral hygiene requirements, and provide extended sessions for those who need local anaesthetic/numbing during teeth cleanings.
How does a dental hygienist differ from a dentist?
While dentists and hygienists work closely together when providing patient care, their roles and what treatments they are allowed to perform are very different. Like a hygienist, a dentist can also provide teeth cleanings, however a hygienist is not allowed to provide any of the treatments a dentist would, such as dental exams, fillings, extractions, or any other treatment.
The dental hygienist may suggest seeing the dentist for an examination or treatment, but they cannot diagnose any dental issues directly and will always refer you to see a dentist for any type of treatment other than a dental cleaning.
While both are essential for patient’s overall care, hygienists take on a more preventative and educational role, focusing only on scaling and polishing of teeth, while dentists handle diagnosis and provision of complex treatments.
What happens during my first dental hygienist appointment?
While dental hygienists are now common in most dental practices, you may have only had a dentist clean your teeth in the past. A comprehensive scale and polish with the hygienist can be a slightly different type of appointment as they focus on oral hygiene instruction and advice, but rest assured it should be just as painless and stress-free as seeing the dentist.
During your regular scale and polish appointment, the hygienist will first do a periodontal exam to check the health of your gums and discuss their findings with you. Following this, the hygienist will use an ultrasonic scaler/hand scaler to remove any plaque and tarter build-up, before finishing the appointment with a polish of all teeth to remove any surface staining.
Why has the dentist referred me to see the hygienist?
Your dentist may do a basic cleaning for you during your dental examination or other treatment. However, sometimes this basic scale and polish is not sufficient based on your individual gum health and treatment needs, so your dentist may suggest that you see the hygienist for further/more advanced treatment.
This could be a comprehensive scale and polish, an extended cleaning, or our comprehensive advanced gum treatment, depending on the severity of gum issues present. Your dentist and hygienist will liaise with each other to formulate a treatment plan that works best for you, and chat through any queries or concerns you may have in relation to your periodontal health.
How often should I visit the hygienist?
Your hygienist will always recommend when is best to come back after your most recent hygienist visit, however every 6 months is normally the recommended frequency.
This can vary depending on each patient’s specific needs, with some returning every 3 months or 4 months if needed, e.g. for the maintenance of periodontal disease.
Are cleanings with the dental hygienist painful?
No, teeth cleanings should not be painful, and your dental hygienist will do all they can to ensure it is as pleasant an experience as possible.
Depending on an individual’s tolerance and overall gum health, you may experience some discomfort or sensitivity, but the hygienist can provide treatments to alleviate this, whether it be numbing gel, local anaesthetic, or just frequent breaks to make sure you are comfortable.
It is always best to discuss any queries or concerns with the hygienist at the beginning of your appointment, so they know best how to address your treatment needs.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is a common condition affecting many adults in Ireland, and is caused by a build-up of plaque around the teeth.
The bacteria contained within the plaque irritates the gums, and if it is not regularly removed from around the teeth, the bacteria start to cause gum inflammation, bad breath, pain and bleeding. These symptoms are common during the first stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis.
Gingivitis is easily treated with an excellent oral hygiene routine, such as brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, and attending for regular hygienist appointments.
If gingivitis is not treated however, it develops into a more advanced stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis.
Periodontitis (or periodontal disease) is a severe form of gum disease, in which the gum tissues that hold your teeth in place become inflamed and the surrounding bone is affected. As the gum tissues become infected, this can cause the gum to pull away from the teeth, creating space called “pockets”. These pockets can become infected, further damaging the gum tissue and bone which holds teeth in place. Severe periodontal disease can cause the teeth to become loose and fall out.
Gum disease can be influenced by a number of factors, including your oral hygiene maintenance, diet, habits, genetics and some medications. While gingivitis can be easily reversed, periodontal disease cannot be cured- but it can be treated and effectively managed to prevent further damage and halt progression of the disease.
Hygienists play a vital role in the treatment and management of gum disease, which is why regular hygienist visits are essential in periodontal maintenance.
Looking for a dental hygienist in Galway?
Should you wish to book for your next dental hygienist visit, we would love to hear from you!
Contact the practice on 091 757 678 or email info@renmoredental.ie to enquire.