What Can an Oral Health Therapist Do for You and Your Family?
Oral Health Therapists (OHTs) are the unsung heroes in the world of dental care. Their expertise and dedication are crucial in keeping our pearly whites healthy and happy.
You’ve probably encountered an OHT without even realising it – maybe during a community dental health drive or at your primary school through your school’s Oral Health Program.
Here at Smileologie, we’re all about giving you the best dental care, and that wouldn’t be possible without our amazing oral health therapists.
We want you to truly appreciate their work so in this article, we’ll take you through what the job involves and share how Oral Health Therapists work together with your dentist to give you the very best dental care.
What does an Oral Health Therapist do?
Oral Health Therapists are dental professionals who specialise in preventive and restorative treatments, oral health promotion, and patient education.
How do they get this specialist knowledge. An Oral Health Therapist has completed a Bachelor of Oral Health at University with dual qualifications as dental hygienists and dental therapists. And yes, they’ve got the skills and the qualifications to offer a wide range of dental services focusing on prevention and basic restoration.
Did you know?
Oral Health Therapists have dual qualifications as dental hygienists and dental therapists, which means they are qualified to provide a variety of dental services for children, adolescents and adults, with a strong emphasis on prevention and basic restoration, setting them apart from dentists who provide more specialised care.
Collaborative Dental Care: Dentists and Oral Health Therapists
Dentists and Oral Health Therapists work side by side to give you the best dental care possible.
When dentists and OHTs team up, magic happens! Not only does it enhance the patient experience and lead to better outcomes, but it also lets dentists focus on their specialised dental work.
Plus, by working at a practice with a dentist, Oral Health Therapists can offer a wider range of services than they could as a part of a community or school dental health program.
Services Provided by Oral Health Therapists
With their expertise, your OHT will tailor their services to meet your unique needs.
They are qualified to offer a range of preventive measures and services such as; dental check-ups, cleanings, and oral health education. Additionally, they deliver basic restorative treatments such as fillings, sealants, and fluoride applications.
OHTs perform a wide range of dental treatments during their clinical practice, including:
- Dental examinations
- Oral health assessments
- Teeth cleaning, scaling, and polishing
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental radiography
- Oral health education
- Preventive dental care
- They also collaborate with the dental team, including dentists, to ensure patients receive comprehensive care and organise any necessary appointments.
These procedures serve to assess and maintain the patient’s dental hygiene, ensuring that they receive the appropriate care and education for their specific oral health needs.
Potential Pitfalls to Avoid with Same-Day Dental Crowns
Same-day dental crowns are a significant advancement in modern dentistry, allowing patients to receive a perfectly fitted dental crown in just one visit. However, to achieve the best possible results and avoid any potential pitfalls, it’s important to be mindful of a few key factors.
- Firstly, always ensure that you visit an experienced dentist proficient in using the advanced technology required for same-day crown procedures (like Dr George and Dr Summer here at Smileologie), as unskilled handling could lead to poorly constructed crowns.
- Secondly, communicate openly with your dentist about your concerns and expectations, enabling them to provide the most appropriate treatment.
- Lastly, pay close attention to your oral hygiene routine and follow your dentist’s aftercare advice meticulously. Any lapse in maintaining the health of your remaining teeth and gums could jeopardize the longevity of your newly placed same-day dental crown.
How an Oral Health Therapist assesses your oral hygiene needs
Your oral hygiene is just as important as any other aspect of your health, and ensuring your health is in good condition can prevent potential health issues from developing.
This is where an Oral Health Therapist is qualified to help. An Oral Health Therapist goes beyond the basic cleaning and examination of your teeth. They assess your overall oral health and help identify potential issues before they become bigger problems. Their goal is to not only improve the overall health of your mouth but your general well-being too.
They can provide advice on how to maintain good oral hygiene and suggest the right products that suit your oral health needs.
In this article, we’ve delved into the indispensable role of Oral Health Therapists (OHTs) in safeguarding and advancing oral health. With their combined skill set in preventive and restorative treatments, OHTs truly shine as invaluable members of the dental care team here at Smileologie.
By working closely with our dentists, they ensure our patients receive comprehensive and personalised care that caters to their individual needs.
