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Dentist vs. Dental Hygienist—What’s the Difference?
Dentists and dental hygienists are two major professional positions in dentistry. They both play a vital role in healing patients with dental issues.
They both learn how to use various dental instruments, like a bur or a dental mandrel, in carrying out procedures, although the ones that dentists perform are more major than the ones that dental hygienists perform.
Differences between a dentist and a dental hygienist
Educational qualifications
To become a dentist in the U.S., a student is typically required to go through eight years of schooling. This includes four years of undergraduate school and four more years of dental school thereafter.
To become a dental hygienist in the U.S., one must complete at least two years of schooling for an accredited program. Thereafter, they can choose to further study to acquire a bachelor’s or master’s degree, both of which will extend the duration of their study. They can choose coursework in subjects like physiology, anatomy, microbiology, or others.
Responsibilities and procedures
Dentists take on full responsibility as the major professionals who is expected to treat patients with any kind of dental issue. They diagnose, treat, and manage all levels of oral conditions to aim for optimal oral health.
Dental hygienists also play a major role, but more in the aspect of preventative care than treatments. As a result, one can see a dental hygienist without needing to see a dentist. However, most dental hygienists work alongside dentists. They specialize in tasks like cleaning teeth, removing plaque, polishing teeth, and more. They can use instruments like a dental mandrel for simple procedures if the law allows it.
Dentists have a border range of skills as compared to dental hygienists and are qualified enough to carry out from simple procedures like scaling to complex procedures such as root canal treatments.
Dental hygienists are often supervised by dentists and are not legally authorized to diagnose or carry out any complex procedures.
As many dental procedures, such as treatment plans (such as orthodontic treatment or braces,) often need multiple sessions as suggested by dentists. As a result, dentists share a long-term relationship with their patients and play a significant role in maintaining their oral health at its best.
Use of dental instruments
While dentists can use nearly every dental instrument by law, dental hygienists can use limited instruments.
The most commonly used dental instruments include burs, dental syringes, dental mirrors, dental handpieces, the dental mandrel, and more.
Can dental hygienists use mandrel disks?
A dental mandrel is a rotary dental instrument, and mandrel disks are abrasive disks that are attached to mandrels. Together, they are used in tasks like polishing or finishing dental materials like restorations.
When dental hygienists are allowed to use dental mandrel disks, they are usually required by law to do so under the guidance of a qualified dentist.
Optimu Rotary offers high-quality, genuine Horico® dental rotary instruments at exclusive prices. It’s a trusted store that helps you buy rotary instruments online, from the comfort of your home. Choose from a wide range of dental supplies, including the dental mandrel, and surgical instruments to be delivered to your address with free shipping
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