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Dental Therapy and Its Crucial Role in Dentistry

Updated: Apr 3

What is a Dental Therapist?


Dental therapists are highly skilled dental professionals who can carry out a variety of dental procedures, including follow-up care for patients who have undergone challenging procedures, oral hygiene advice, and extra and intraoral examinations. Radiograph interpretation is an area of expertise that dental therapists are trained in. Within their scope of practice, dental therapists also apply varnishes, fluoride gels, pit and fissure sealants, scaling, and polishing.


A dental therapist's area of practice also includes providing local anaesthetic, performing paediatric extractions, fillings for both adult and paediatric patients, and performing pulp therapy on younger patients. Taking dental impressions is another skill that dental therapists are trained in.


Why is a Dental Therapist important?


Dentists can handle more complex situations like root canal treatment, implants, crowns, bridges, and other procedures by transferring some of their work to a dental therapist. Dental therapists are essential in preventing the onset of oral diseases because they conduct comprehensive examinations, offer instruction, and carry out treatments to prevent additional problems. If they discover complicated problems, they will direct the patients to the dentist, which enables even more effective and rapid treatment.


The prevention-focused approach of dental hygienists and therapists makes them essential dental experts in the field. Furthermore, they possess the skill to identify preliminary indications of decay, oral cancer, fractures, periodontal bone disease, and other potentially severe issues. Dental hygienists and therapists carry out dental cleanings that are essential to preventing gum disease from becoming worse and leading to periodontal bone loss, or periodontitis.


Given that the mouth serves as the entrance to the rest of the body, these clinicians are also preventing potential systemic problems. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are two systemic conditions that have been known to potentially be related to poor dental hygiene. Dental therapists play a crucial role in dentistry by consistently emphasising the need for good oral hygiene and serving as the first line of defence against oral and potentially systemic disorders.


For most people in today's society, dental aesthetics are fundamental to their confidence. Dental therapists can help treat these issues in that they can use the newest technology to eliminate bacteria and surface stains. A dental therapist can also perform composite bonding, tooth whitening, and other cosmetic procedures with additional training. Patients' self-esteem is boosted, and their overall psychological well-being improves as a result.


Blog Written by Lenda H

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