What Is An Oral Health Therapist?
An Oral Health Therapist (OHT) plays an important role in a Dental Practice. Here at Brisbane Smiles, we have a team of Oral Health Therapists to help provide you with the best Dental service. In this article, we will cover what an OHT does, their role within the Dental Practice and more.
What Is an Oral Health Therapist?
Oral Health Therapists are dual-trained in both Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene. OHTs provide a wide range of Dental Care for children, adolescents and adults. An OHT is responsible for looking after the health of your mouth, making sure your teeth are clean and ensuring you are receiving the right personalised oral health advice that is suitable for you.
Oral Health Therapists are qualified to complete Dental Check-Ups and Dental Therapy on children under the age of 18 years. You can read more about the role of an OHT practising in Queensland here.
What Does an Oral Health Therapist Do?
Here at Brisbane Smiles, our team of OHTs take care of:
- Children’s routine Dental examinations, Dental treatment, and Preventative Dental Therapy
- Taking Dental X-rays, 3D Dental Scans and photographs
- Adult & Children’s Dental Cleans
- Maintaining gum health and treating those suffering from gum disease
- Oral Health promotion and personalised Oral Health advice
- Teeth Whitening treatment advice & Teeth Whitening treatment
What is the difference between an Oral Health Therapist and a Hygienist?
The responsibilities of an Oral Health Therapist are slightly different to a Dental Hygienist. An OHT can perform all procedures that a Dental Hygienist can, plus additional treatments. OHTs can additionally perform children’s Dental fillings, place crowns on baby teeth, extract baby teeth and other treatments.
How Do My Dentist and OHT Work Together?
Here at Brisbane Smiles, our OHTs work closely with our Dentists to ensure that your Dental Treatment is thorough. Our OHT will gently clean your teeth, removing any tartar and plaque buildup. They will check your gums for gingivitis and other oral diseases, educate you on your at-home oral care routines and plan and discuss any recommended future appointments.
After a Dental Clean with the OHT, a Dentist will perform a Dental Check-Up. The Dentist will review any X-rays, Dental scans and photographs taken by the OHT and examine all of your teeth and surrounding soft tissue. The Dentist will provide any treatment recommendations or advice for condition management.
At Brisbane Smiles, by offering both General Dentists and Oral Health Therapists, we are committing to providing you and your family’s Dental care at the very best standard and comfort.
What Qualifications Does an Oral Health Therapist Require?
To become an Oral Health Therapist, you must have completed a 3-year university degree and be registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Association (AHPRA).
Why Should I Visit an OHT?
There are important oral and general health benefits to visiting an Oral Health Therapist for routine Dental Cleans. Teeth and gums that are healthy and clean have a lower risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease and tooth problems can be painful, can become expensive if left unattended and can create unwanted interruptions to your daily life. Your ability to prevent such problems relies on a proper oral health routine and regular trips to an OHT. Our experienced OHTs at Brisbane Smiles have the skills necessary to help you achieve your best and healthiest smile.
Visit Our Friendly Team of OHTs Today!
By visiting an OHT for a Clean every six months, you can help to prevent potentially painful and expensive Oral Health problems and keep your mouth healthy. Book your routine Check-Up and Clean with Brisbane Smiles today! Book online 24/7 or give our friendly team a call.
