What is a dental hygienist appointment?
Dental hygienists are specially trained to work alongside dentists to provide comprehensive dental care and support your treatment plan. They will assess the condition of your gums and teeth, perform a deep clean to remove plaque build-up, calculus, and superficial staining, and provide personalised advice on oral health.
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More about pricingBefore the appointment
You do not need a referral for a dental hygiene appointment. It is important to see a dental hygienist regularly to maintain good dental hygiene and prevent gum disease.
Before your dental hygiene appointment, it is recommended to brush your teeth thoroughly to remove any food particles or bacteria, ensuring more effective plaque removal. Bringing along the oral care products you use at home to show the dental hygienist can be beneficial, although it is not essential.
During the appointment
Once you are comfortably seated in the dental chair, the dental hygienist will ask about your daily oral care routine. The chair will recline, allowing the dental hygienist to conduct a full assessment of your gums, which is recorded by the dental nurse. They will discuss their findings with you, offering advice on how to maintain excellent oral hygiene and ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy.
The dental hygienist will clean your teeth using a variety of tools. They may start with an ultrasonic scaler, which uses vibration and water to remove plaque and calculus. The water is aspirated from the mouth using a special machine. Following this, a fine-hand scale may be necessary using a hand scaler without water. The dental hygienist will complete the treatment with a polish using a dental handpiece, similar to an electric toothbrush, and dental polishing paste to remove stains and leave you with a polished smile.
After the appointment
After your hygiene treatment, you will receive bespoke oral hygiene instructions to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Teeth may feel different after a deep cleaning due to the removal of plaque, but this improves overall comfort and contributes to a healthier smile in the long term.
Your dental hygienist may recommend seeing you again in a few weeks or months to assess your progress with your new cleaning routine and ensure you maintain good oral health.
Experts
We are proud to provide patients with access to a wide range of clinicians, chosen specifically for their knowledge and reputation in their area of expertise. Our experts align with our values: putting you at the centre of your care and educating you on your options at each step of the journey. We encourage you to learn more about our clinicians and how they can help you below. As always, please contact our patient services team if you require any additional information.
We offer 3 ways to pay for your treatment
We exist to take the stress out of private healthcare.
Our payment options are designed to offer you easy access to our treatments and services. You can choose to pay on the day, spread the cost, or use your private medical insurance.
Our patient services team will guide you through the process, providing clear costs and support throughout your course of treatment so you can focus on the thing that matters most – your health.
Whether you pay in advance, spread the cost, or use your private medical insurance, rest assured you will be receiving exceptional care 365 days a year.
Pay in Advance
Even if you do not have medical insurance, you can still get quick and comprehensive access to private medical care.
We provide transparent pricing from your initial consultation to the completion of your treatment so you know where your stand, every step of the way.
We accept all major debit and credit cards, as well as Apple Pay for UK residents. Please note that we do not accept cash or cheques.
Pay monthly
Paying for your treatment at OSD Healthcare doesn’t need to mean settling the full cost in one go.
Many of our treatments have a pay monthly option that allows you to spread the cost of your treatment over 12 months with no credit checks required.
A minimum spend of £300 does apply. We’ll take your first payment upfront and then arrange a direct debit for your monthly payments thereafter. It’s that simple.
Pay using PMI
We are recognised by all major health insurance companies and with our extensive range of services, there are lots of benefits to using your insurance with us. Our patient services team is here to answer any questions you may have about using your private health insurance with us.
Please bring along your policy details including your scheme details, membership or policy number, expiry date and confirmation of eligibility to claim (i.e. your authorisation number). If you do not have these details with you, we will require payment from you on the day. Patients are liable for any amounts not settled by their insurer.
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FAQs
Using a dentist can make your teeth more visible and whiter by removing plaque from your teeth. Plaque is a yellowish substance surrounding teeth that is particularly when flossing often, so reversing it helps your teeth look much whiter. After the cleaning, dentists polish your teeth. It wears off any cracks and rough edges where plaque can adhere better and gives them an attractive appearance, helping your teeth appear whiter and brighter during your dentist visits.
Dental hygienists look for a diagnosis that suggests oral diseases like gingivitis and can prescribe oral hygiene. In addition, the dentist educates patients about oral wellness.