Perio & Ortho Go Hand in Hand: How An Orthodontic Hygienist Can Create A Sub-specialty Niche

The bacterial challenge that a patient wearing orthodontic appliances confronts is extraordinary. The extent to which the dental team can definitively affect the health and integrity of hard and soft tissue in the orthodontic patient is worthy of discussion. Maintenance of the orthodontic appliance (be it fixed or removable), along with the preservation of a healthy periodontium and safeguarding tooth enamel necessitates the skillful judgment of a trained professional.

Ongoing evidence that substantiates the oral-systemic connection corroborates the dental professional’s responsibility to promote full body wellness through meticulous oral healthcare. It is essential that dental team members assume a significant role in managing the comprehensive demands of the orthodontic patient. Guiding a patient through their orthodontic experience without compromising the oral environment is a laudable goal that every dental team can “sink their teeth into”.