In a typical dental practice, a registered dental hygienist (RDH) may do a bit of scaling, polish the teeth, apply fluoride, and take x-ray films when needed. The dentist examines the teeth and mouth.

Because our clinic has only one dental chair, the dentist and dental hygienist work on different days. So, the question is: should I bring my child to the dentist for an examination and then for a separate appointment to see the hygienist for cleaning?

The answer is: it depends. Each child differs in the amount of calculus (or hard build-up) they get on their teeth. This depends on diet, genetics, and brushing/flossing.

We recommend children be seen by the dentist for examination at least once a year. She will check whether there is enough calculus build-up to need a separate appointment with the hygienist for scaling. Often, if the build-up is light, the dentist can do the scaling at the examination visit.

The dentist looks for dental decay; problems with the bite; development of the teeth & jaw bones; infections; and medical issues that are detected in the mouth. We will usually make suggestions about brushing technique/frequency, flossing techniques, and limiting sugar intake. The dentist wants to make sure that your child is as comfortable as possible; this may include referral to a childrens’ dentist. We encourage parents and children to ask questions and want kids to look forward to seeing the dentist.