Can dental hygienists put on braces?!


Question: Ok, my sister claims that dental hygienists can put on braces, do tooth extractions, fill cavities, etc. I have never seen a dental hygienist do these things. I always thought of dental hygienists as dental assistants who are also qualified to clean teeth. Any dental hygienists out there who can clarify exactly what hygienists do?


Answers: Ok, my sister claims that dental hygienists can put on braces, do tooth extractions, fill cavities, etc. I have never seen a dental hygienist do these things. I always thought of dental hygienists as dental assistants who are also qualified to clean teeth. Any dental hygienists out there who can clarify exactly what hygienists do?

Dental hygienist is in a general a dental professional fully qualified to clean your teeth, take impressions (for bleaching for example), do fissure sealants, take X rays and advise people on diet and cleaning habits.

Then there is Dental Therapist who can do 1surface fillings, children's fillings and extractions, as well as everything a hygienist can do.

And to confuse you more - some hygienist have a special training (Orthodontic Therapist) and those can do adjustments to braces and put them on UNDER THE SUPERVISION of an Orthodontist. (this is very common in South Africa for example, where an orthodontist will employ a bunch of trained hygienist to help around).

The hygiene training varies from country to country too. I qualified in the Czech Republic, where we can re cement temporary crowns, take all sorts of X rays, do check ups .... and now I live in the UK where the hygiene is just the routine clean (unless you are lucky to find a practice where you are allowed to do more).

Hygienist definitely can not pull out teeth and do general fillings. Tell your sister to buy you a treat for losing this one :))

no they cannot only orthodontists can they can help the orthodontists but not put them on by there self's

maybe this hygienist is certified in both.
I find this suspicious if they r not!!!!!!!!!! If i don't see a DMD or a DDM or wateverI don't want them mesing in my mouth !!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only thing a hiegenist has done for me at the orthodontist was scarp some salt build up or watever from some of my teeth they nvr inspected my mouth or anything like that but it was scraping or watever like a dentist does. They can't put braces on bcuz there heading is not an orthodontist.

Unless it is different in other countries they are not allowed to do any of the stuff you mentioned except assist and clean. Cleaning even needs a license in some states.

I think you need to let us know where you are... US, UK, etc.. that may help with the answers.

:)





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