What are the differences between a dental hygienist, a dental assistant and a dental therapist?
A. While all three oral health care team members can take and develop dental radiographs, apply fluoride, fabricate mouthguards, provide oral hygiene instruction and apply pit and fissure sealants, each has a specific scope of practice that is unique to his/her profession. Dental Hygienist provides education, and preventive and clinical therapy to detect, prevent and treat oral disease Dental Therapist undertakes routine restorations on deciduous and permanent teeth on children and adults, and provides pulp therapy, extractions and the placement of preformed crowns on deciduous teeth.
