Why we always provide an experienced dental assistant with all our hygienists
At Islington Dental we have put in the long yards to be able to provide our patients with a more comfortable and safer experience when undergoing their preventative maintenance. Unlike most practices, we provide each hygienist with their own dental assistant.
According to Prof Laurie Walsh – Australia’s most recognized expert on Infection Control – the most effective way to reduce aerosols in the dental surgery is having a well-trained dental assistant using high-volume evacuation (HVE). This eliminates 90% of the aerosols generated, controlling the particles before they leave the mouth.
While we have always offered a dental assistant to work with our hygienists’ in the interest of patient comfort, we now find ourselves in the age of COVID-19 and associated concerns about dental aerosol generation. There are no current regulations necessitating a dental assistant to work alongside a hygienist providing HVE assistance with Airflow treatment, we choose to provide this for our patients resulting in a more pleasant, relaxed experience.