What is dental therapy?
At Canberra Dental Care we are excited to be able to offer dental therapy. Vivian is available for both dental hygiene and dental therapy appointments.
But what is dental therapy and how is it different to dental hygiene?
Dental therapists examine and treat diseases of the teeth in children, adolescents and some adults as part of the dental team. The dentistry work performed is varied from identifying the disease risk of the child, providing professionally applied preventive treatments, carrying out simple restorative work in primary and permanent teeth, through to the extraction of teeth under local anaesthetic, and the initial management of trauma.
A hygienist focuses on preventative treatment and is providing a deep and through clean of your teeth. A therapist is able to perform restorative treatments.
At Canberra Dental Care is means Vivian is able to perform some of the treatments that previously were only able to be done by the dentists.
What treatment can Vivian do?
The treatments that are available for patients under 26 years of age are:
- Impressions for mouthguards, splints, whitening trays
- fissure sealants
- deciduous (baby teeth) extractions
- small fillings
Treatment for anyone:
- exams during the hygiene appointment. This means that you don’t have to wait for the dentist to come in, Vivian can do that part of the treatment for you.
Do I have to see the therapist?
The short answer is no. We would never make you see a provider that you didn’t feel comfortable seeing. This is the case for all our treatment. However, Vivian has dedicated appointments available so it might mean that you are able to get in earlier with her. All our treatment is performed to the same high standard – no matter who performs it.
How do I make these appointments?
Generally speaking these appointments will be made on the basis of a treatment plan from us. If you would like to discuss what is available and your options please call our reception staff.