An important part of dentistry consists of oral hygiene and preventive treatments. Here, the dental hygienist or the prevention assistant focuses on preventing gum problems and tooth decay. Good oral hygiene and dental cleaning are of great importance in this.
- Open in the evenings
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For more information, please contact us on 030 760 1267 or send an email to info@tandartsutrecht.nl.
More information about oral hygiene and prevention
You can find more information about oral hygiene and prevention via the menu below.
- When should I go to the dental hygienist?
- Preventive dentistry
- Who carries out oral hygiene and preventive treatments?
- Which treatments does the dental hygienist carry out?
- Costs and reimbursement
When should I go to the dental hygienist?
It is advisable to have a preventive check-up periodically with the dental hygienist, the prevention assistant or the dentist. This helps you prevent gum and dental problems, and means we are always in time to address complaints. We recommend making an appointment when:
- You regularly suffer from caries (cavities)
- You regularly suffer from red, swollen or bleeding gums
- You have receding gums and exposed tooth necks
- You regularly have tartar and stains on your teeth
- Achieving good oral hygiene is a problem for you
Good oral hygiene with preventive dentistry
A healthy diet plays an important role in preventive dentistry. Treatments that fall under this heading include, among others: brushing instruction, dietary advice, dental cleaning and applying sealants to children’s molars. Our dental hygienists and prevention assistants have a great deal of experience with prevention and can inform and advise you extensively on achieving and maintaining good oral hygiene.
Who carries out oral hygiene and preventive treatments?
Depending on the condition of your teeth, oral hygiene and preventive treatments can be carried out by a prevention assistant, dental hygienist or dentist. For each patient, we determine individually what the best approach is in supporting them to achieve or maintain good oral hygiene, for beautiful, healthy and strong teeth in the long term.
Frequently asked questions – Dental hygienist
How often should I go to the dental hygienist?
How often you go to the dental hygienist depends on your oral health and any risk factors. With healthy gums and good oral hygiene, once or twice a year is usually enough for a check-up and professional cleaning.
If you have gum problems, such as bleeding gums or periodontitis, the advice may be to come more often, for example every three to four months. Factors such as smoking, diabetes or a dry mouth can also mean that a more frequent visit to the dental hygienist is recommended.
Can I see the dental hygienist without a referral?
Yes, you can see the dental hygienist without a referral from a dentist. Dental hygienists work independently, so you can make an appointment directly for, for example, a dental cleaning, a gum check or preventive advice about your oral health.
How long does an appointment with the dental hygienist take?
An appointment with the dental hygienist usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. This depends on your oral health and the treatment needed. For a standard check-up and dental cleaning, an appointment often takes around 30 to 45 minutes. During this visit, plaque and tartar are removed, among other things, and you receive advice on oral care if needed. For a first appointment, or when there are gum problems, a treatment can take longer, for example 45 to 60 minutes.
Can I eat straight after a visit to the dental hygienist?
In most cases, you can simply eat and drink after a visit to the dental hygienist. After a standard dental cleaning, this is usually possible straight away, as long as you avoid extremely hot or acidic products for a while.
When your teeth have been polished with a special paste, it is often better to wait about 1 to 1.5 hours before eating. This allows the protective layer to take effect properly. If you have had a more intensive treatment, such as a deeper cleaning of the gums, it can be pleasant to choose soft food for the first day and not to put too much strain on the treated area.
Is a dental hygienist also suitable for children?
Yes, a dental hygienist is also very suitable for children. The dental hygienist plays an important role in preventive oral care and helps to keep children’s teeth healthy. For children, the dental hygienist can, among other things, clean the teeth, carry out a fluoride treatment and explain how to brush well. This way, children learn from a young age how to look after their teeth properly. Parents also often receive advice on brushing their children’s teeth for them, which is usually recommended up to around the age of 10.
Is treatment by the dental hygienist covered by insurance?
This depends on your age and your health insurance.
- Up to 18 years: treatments by the dental hygienist are usually fully reimbursed under the basic health insurance.
- 18+: for adults aged 18 and over, these treatments usually do not fall under the basic health insurance. In that case, supplementary dental insurance can provide (partial) reimbursement. Many supplementary policies reimburse part of the costs up to an annual maximum amount, depending on your policy.
Can a dental hygienist make my teeth whiter?
Yes, our dental hygienist can make your teeth whiter with a professional whitening treatment. During a consultation, we are happy to discuss the options for your teeth.
What is the difference between a dentist and a dental hygienist?
A dentist and a dental hygienist both work on your oral health, but their roles are different. The dentist focuses mainly on making diagnoses and carrying out treatments, such as filling cavities, fitting crowns or other dental procedures.
The dental hygienist focuses mainly on prevention and the health of the gums. They treat, for example, plaque, tartar and early gum inflammation, and give advice on oral care to prevent problems.
What is a dental hygienist not allowed to do?
Our dental hygienist focuses mainly on preventive oral care and treatments of the gums. However, there are legal limits to the treatments a dental hygienist may carry out. For example, our dental hygienist does not perform complex dental procedures. Treatments such as extracting teeth or molars, placing implants or extensive surgical procedures are carried out by a dentist. Root canal treatments and larger restorations, such as extensive fillings, are also part of the dentist’s work.
Contact
Maliekwartier Tandartsen
Koningslaan 62
3583 GP Utrecht
Opening hours
Monday: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
Tuesday: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
Wednesday: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
Thursday: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
Friday: 08:00 am – 04:00 pm
Weekend: Closed
Which treatments does the dental hygienist carry out?
Dental hygienists and prevention assistants carry out preventive treatments to prevent gum conditions and dental problems, and give advice on achieving good oral hygiene. In addition, they also carry out curative, that is, healing treatments to address complaints, such as removing plaque, tartar and stains on teeth and molars.
Costs and reimbursement
The rates for treatment by the dental hygienist or prevention assistant are set by the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). You can find more information on our rates page.
Reimbursement of oral hygiene and preventive treatments
For people up to the age of 18, treatments by the dental hygienist are reimbursed under the basic health insurance. People over the age of 18 must have supplementary insurance to be eligible for reimbursement. We recommend always checking the policy conditions of your health insurer before a treatment. You can also ask one of our staff for more information.