Focus on our Team-Part 3

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FOCUS ON OUR  SMILE SARASOTA TEAM – PART 3

In the dental office, the dentist and the dental hygienist work together to meet the oral health needs of our patients. Dental hygienists are licensed by the Department of Health / Florida Board of Dentistry and are required to complete Continuing Education courses on a regular basis.  One of the most enjoyable aspects of their job is working with people. Their personal fulfillment comes from providing a valuable health care service while establishing trusting relationships with our patients. As a result of their education and clinical training in a highly skilled discipline, they are respected as valued members of our team. Both Claire and Ann love dental hygiene and making a difference in patients’ oral health for overall health. They love the relationships they have established with our patients They are dedicated to helping patients maintain good oral health and preventing dental disease. The primary functions are:

  • remove calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) above and below the gum line
  • Periodontal Therapy (deep scaling)
  • Assess and chart the teeth and oral structures
  • Taking dental radiographs
  • provide oral hygiene instructions
  • provide dietary analysis and counseling services
  • apply cavity-prevention agents, such as fluoride and sealants

By providing essential preventive dental care, our hygienists make it possible for our doctors to focus on other complex and specialized dental procedures.  Dental hygienists play a vital collaborative and auxiliary role in dentistry to ensure the highest and most comprehensive and efficient level of oral health care for all  of our patients.

Here are short bios on both of our wonderful hygienists:

Claire has over 20 years of dental experience and has been with our office since 1998. She started her career as a receptionist for a periodontist, and also worked as an office manager for both endodontic and general practices. After time away to raise their three sons, she went to dental hygiene school and graduated in 1997. Claire’s hobbies are fishing with her husband and working out.

Ann relocated from Queens, New York in 1998 after receiving her Master’s degree in Health Education from NYU. She has been in dentistry for over 35 years, four as a Certified Dental Assistant and then as a Registered Dental Hygienist. When she first arrived in Florida in 1998, she was the Program Director for the Dental Assisting Program at Charlotte County Vo-Tech Center. In 2000, Ann returned to clinical dental hygiene, practicing in cosmetic dental offices in Sarasota. Ann’s hobbies are cooking and marathon running.