Today, we want to discuss and highlight the role of an oral health therapist (OHT). We have two OHTs dedicated to serving our patients at our Warners Bay dental clinic, and we're going to explain and emphasise the critical role they play in our dental practice.
What Is an OHT?
Think of an oral health therapist as a physician assistant for dentistry. They are licensed dental professionals who have undergone additional training and specialise in day-to-day oral care. They can provide comprehensive preventive and periodontal (gum) care, focusing on the soft tissues, and deliver restorative procedures on teeth, such as dental fillings. Some of the services they provide are:
- Routine dental check-ups
- Taking dental x-rays
- Assessing for gum disease
- Preventive teeth cleans
- Deep scaling and root planing for periodontal treatment
- Prepping and filling cavities
- Educating patients on brushing and flossing techniques, nutrition and diet
How Does an OHT Differ from a Dentist?
A dentist undergoes extensive training to handle complex oral surgeries, root canal treatments, dental restorations and advanced cosmetic procedures, while OHTs focus on providing preventive cleans, exams, and dental fillings.
What Does a Dental Hygienist Provide?
A dental hygienist focuses primarily on soft-tissue treatment, including cleans and deep scalings for periodontal disease. Dental hygienists typically don't provide dental fillings.
OHTs at SmileHQ
At SmilesHQ, our OHTs are an integral part of our team, working alongside our dentists to provide exceptional care for our patients. They are in charge of the preventive dentistry in our practice, including dental cleans and exams.
The entire team at SmilesHQ is dedicated to the health and well-being of our patients, and our OHTs are no exception. If it's time for your next dental clean and exam in Warners Bay, we invite you to call us on (02) 4062 0705 to book your next appointment.