By Emma Bryan, Dental Hygienist and Therapist
My diverse professional background, which has afforded me the opportunity to travel to and explore over 40 countries, has reinforced a fundamental observation: the smile is a universal symbol. It is one of the few gestures understood across cultures and languages, consistently signifying joy, happiness, goodwill, and well-being.
In my role as a dental hygienist and therapist, I am dedicated to ensuring that smiles remain healthy. Since their introduction to general dental practices in 2003, dental therapists have become an increasingly integral part of the dental team. These professionals collaborate closely with dentists to provide comprehensive patient care. Dental therapists are trained to perform a range of services, including scaling and polishing, periodontal treatments, routine restorative procedures, dental impressions, and radiographic examinations, with a strong emphasis on dental health education. This wide scope of practice not only alleviates the workload of dentists but also enables them to focus on more complex cases. Furthermore, the collaborative approach fosters a multidisciplinary model of care, benefiting patients through the collective expertise of the entire dental team. Additionally, patients benefit from referrals to dental therapists as it improves access to care, reduces wait times, and promotes long-term oral health within the community by emphasising preventive care and safeguarding future smiles.
Dental anxiety, which can begin in childhood, frequently persists into adulthood. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is assisting anxious patients, helping them feel at ease by offering both hygiene care and restorative treatments. I find that patients often appreciate the continuity of care, as a trusting bond is established when they can work with the same clinician at their own pace. I take great pride in listening to my patients, tailoring their care to address long-term dental anxiety, and ensuring that they feel comfortable throughout their treatment journey.
Recognising the uniqueness of each individual and their specific needs, I strongly advocate for a personalised, collaborative approach to care. It is essential that patients feel involved and understood in their treatment process. Effective communication is critical in fostering an environment where patients feel valued and heard, particularly when shared care is a feature of dental practice. I believe that patients deserve to be active participants in their treatment, fully understanding their care needs and options. This is where oral health education plays a pivotal role.
As both a dental hygienist and therapist, I am committed to ensuring that patients leave the clinic not only with their immediate treatment needs addressed, but also with the knowledge to care for their oral health in the long term. Whether it is guidance on home care, preventive strategies to avoid decay, instructions for managing a new implant, or post-operative care for a restoration, I encourage my patients to ask questions. My goal is to foster an open, welcoming environment where patients feel well-informed and confident in managing their oral health.
Working at a dynamic practice such as Abbots Lodge enables me to collaborate with like-minded and ambitious dental care professionals in a cohesive and multidisciplinary manner to provide the highest standard of patient-centred care. I feel truly valued in my role, and sharing a similar ethos with my colleagues fosters strong, trustworthy relationships, allowing us to deliver optimal treatment for our patients.
Dentistry is a continuously evolving field, and working alongside passionate professionals not only supports my professional growth but also enables me to contribute to transformative and evidence-based oral healthcare. A healthy smile is always a happy smile.