The dental hygienist review of patient medical history and current and past dental and dental hygiene oral health practices, and collect specific health history data. The dental hygienist conducts a thorough, individualized assessment of the person with or at risk for oral disease or complications.

Using diagnostic x-rays helps hygienist and dentist identify tooth decay before it threatens the health of the entire tooth. We can then take preventive action, such as applying fluoride or a sealant to prevent dental decay.

This preventive treatment helps strengthen and protect teeth, reducing the risk of tooth decay. Fluoride, a naturally-occurring mineral, helps prevent cavities- link (Cavities, or tooth decay, is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. It can be a problem for children, teens and adults. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and over time the enamel can break down. This is when cavities can form. (A cavity is a little hole in your tooth.)  

In children and adults by making the outer surface of your teeth enamel. Enamel is hard calcified tissue covering the dentin in the crown of tooth. Fluoride helps rebuild (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay. When you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, or use other fluoride dental products. The fluoride vanish application is applied to the surface of your teeth.

Caring for your smile takes more than just daily brushing and flossing at home. Routine professional cleanings and checkups are a vital element in protecting your oral health. During a dental cleaning dental bacteria is removed, stains, and hard and soft deposits. Dental bacteria and deposits can cause cavities and gum infections. Dental cleaning helps reduce these dental diseases.

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adhere to the chewing surface of your child's back teeth. Sealants help to keep teeth clean by temporarily filling in grooves on teeth. They’re no substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity. Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child's dental health.

Patients will learn how to practice good oral hygiene. Tooth brushing and flossing demonstration to remove dental plaque teeth thoroughly twice a day and floss daily between the teeth to remove dental plaque and gums disease. Education is a critical component of the Children’s Dental Clinics. Extended appointment times allow children and family members to understand the causes of poor oral health and learn what they can do at home to maintain good oral health. In order to formalize and measure the efficacy of the education being provided, an oral health promotora works with families to complete oral health assessments, set goals and track progress. The promotora is the direct liaison between the dentist, the Children’s Dental Clinics and the family. This connecting relationship between the dentist and family helps to reduce no-shows and encourage completion of treatment plans.

The dental clinic team will work with the families to coordinate dental care for the patients.

ITR is used as a temporary filling that will stabilize the tooth/teeth until further evaluation or treatment by a dentist. The Interim Therapeutic Restoration may restore, arrest, prevent or slow down the progression of carious lesions.

The use of silver diamine fluoride in dentistry has been well documented for being fast and effective in slowing and often controlling the process of tooth decay.  Application of silver diamine is a conservative approach to stop the active decay process. 

Silver diamine is effective in slowing and controlling tooth decay.  A cavity with Silver Diamine Fluoride on it will turn a permanent dark brown or black color. This is an indication the decay in the tooth is stopping. This procedure requires a minimum of two appointments.