The need for improvements in the nation’s oral health has never been more urgent. Dentistry speaks with a group of dental hygienists about how they can be better supported and why their role is so crucial.
The recent results of the National Dental Epidemiology Programme survey showing that almost a quarter of five-year-olds in England had obvious dentinal decay highlights the pressing need to spread awareness about dental hygiene.
The topic of skill mix and direct access for dental care professionals has also recently come to the fore, with updated guidance released in January this year.
Dentistry spoke with four dental hygienists about the importance of their role, what they need to deliver better care for patients, and how they can feel more appreciated by the team.
Zara Shirvani (@zara_thehygienist)
‘I think there is a far greater appreciation from patients and the rest of the dental team for hygienists, now more than ever. That said, there’s always room for improvement, so that we can get more people on the same wavelength.
‘The foundation of a healthy mouth (dental work or cosmetic work) is good oral hygiene. Once gum health has been achieved, it needs to be maintained for teeth/restorations to have longevity.
‘Prevention is always key. Patients also understand the need for hygiene visits, and how the bacteria in our mouth works. Plus, there is more awareness now with the systemic link to the rest of the body, which is huge.
‘There are many ways that hygienists can help improve practices. As hygienists, we are doing a lot more, which is amazing. But we do still need to be supported by the rest of the team.
‘Working with a dental nurse’s assistance is a game changer and patients really feel the difference. Once you have patient satisfaction, you’re winning!
‘What I truly love most about my job is the patient interaction. Getting them on board and watching them see and feel a difference is so rewarding. Hearing a patient say “you’ve not only changed my oral hygiene routine but my whole life” is one of the main reasons why I love what I do.’
Samuel Mchale (@northernhygienist)
‘Teamwork is essential in dentistry, and the main way hygienists feel appreciated is by having a dental nurse. Dental nurses are essential for ensuring treatment provided by a dental hygienist is of the highest standard.
‘I find that following the COVID-19 pandemic, when we were limited in providing certain treatments, patients now understand how important it is to keep up with regular hygienist appointments.
‘Hygienists are essential in a patient journey, as we see patients at three, four, six and 12 month recalls, whereas some patients may only have annual check-ups with the dentist. We can become the face of the practice to some patients.
‘To feel more appreciated and supported, all hygienists should work with a dental nurse. It is essential for dentists, so it should be reflected for us, too. In addition, to provide the best care for our patients, instruments must be well-maintained and kept sharp.
‘The main thing I love about my job is the daily interaction with different patients. We can make an instant change in people’s teeth with procedures such as air polishing, which is particularly rewarding when it’s for a big day such as a wedding or holiday.’
Tiffani Hutchinson (@hygienist_tiff)
‘I’ve worked in many practices during my time at university and since qualifying. I’ve experienced teams and patients that really appreciate the work that we do as hygienists, but also experienced those that don’t.
‘I think this comes from a lack of understanding of our role and the treatments and advice we can provide. Hygienists have been around for a long time, but the role has evolved so much from just the simple scale and polish that most people think of.
‘I think there needs to be more discussion with patients and dental teams about the importance of our role and what it entails.
‘In the practice, a hygienist can be the first port of call for patients prior to having any dental work. For example, if a patient is having implants, they need to make sure they’re periodontally stable to ensure those implants have better chances of success.
‘This type of teamwork will help ensure that the foundations are there to optimise treatment outcomes, reduce risk of failure and ensure patients can look after their dental work in the future.
‘As hygienists, our role is very much focused on prevention. We educate and motivate patients to take ownership of their oral health, so that they can prevent dental disease, improve dental and overall health, and feel better about themselves.
‘I think hygienists need to be able to have their own voice and take control of their working conditions and environment. We should be able to utilise our full scope of practice, using the skills we’ve obtained.
‘We’ve worked hard to get our qualifications and have a lot of knowledge to share! I think the patient pathway needs to integrate all roles in the practice, with the dental team working together to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
‘Education is key to help patients and colleagues understand the benefits of our role within the team and to help us feel more appreciated.
‘What I love most about my job is meeting new and interesting people every single day! People have such incredible stories to tell, and I love hearing them. Seeing patients through on their journey is also one of my biggest motivators.
‘There is no better feeling than building a great practitioner-patient relationship, seeing oral health and confidence improve, or seeing their nerves slowly fade so they are no longer worried about coming to the dental practice.’
Steven Scannell (@brightonhygienistt)
‘I do feel like hygienists are appreciated. In the last few years, I’ve seen an increase in patients wanting to take care of their general and oral health.
‘I’ve found that patients have a greater understanding of the importance that maintaining good oral health plays in improving general health. I feel more recently that patients can see how important it is for them to attend their dental hygiene appointments regularly.
‘Hygienists are vital to the patient’s journey, as your gums are the foundation for your teeth.
‘If your gums aren’t healthy, it will become more difficult for dentists to achieve excellent results with their treatments.
‘If patients continue to look after and maintain their oral health with regular hygiene visits, the stability of their oral health and restorations is likely to increase.
‘It would be good if the General Dental Council (GDC) could open up the scope of practice a bit more for hygienists, allowing us to attend more training courses to expand our skill sets.
‘For example, we can apply high fluoride varnishes in surgery, but we’re unable to prescribe high fluoride toothpaste, prescribe whitening for regular stable patients and so on. There are already many ways in which we can develop our skill sets further. However, I feel we could expand this even more with appropriate training.
‘This would help benefit both the patient and the dental team. I believe there are already some discussions around making more changes for hygienists, so I look forward to seeing what the future holds.
‘What I love most about my job is watching patients’ confidence grow. I treat a lot of nervous patients and seeing them transform during their visits from someone who is almost too nervous to even sit in the dental chair to them becoming a more confident patient where they can happily attend visits is so rewarding.
‘It takes time and patience to build that trust and rapport, but it gives me the most job satisfaction, as I feel I’ve really made a difference for that patient.’
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