Dental Hygienist and Therapists
What are Dental Hygienists & Therapists and what can - and can't - they do?
In UK dentistry, DHT stands for Dental Hygienist and Therapist: someone qualified in both roles, usually through a combined degree in Oral Health Science or Dental Hygiene & Therapy, and registered with the General Dental Council.
What can a DHT do?
In the Hygienist aspect of their role, a DHT can carry out;
- Examinations
- Hygiene
- Gum (Peridontal) Treatments
- Prevention advice along with flouride and fissue sealants
As a Dental Therapist, a DHT can carry out;
- Restorative work such as fillings in adults and children
- Teeth Removal in children
- Installing Crowns on children’s teeth
- Basic emergency care such as lost fillings
What can’t a DHT do?
A DHT cannot carry out;
- Extractions on adult teeth
- Root canal treatment on adult teeth
- Certain labwork such as: Crowns, Bridges, Dentures
- Surgical work such as implant placement.