Dental Hygiene Information
We offer a fully wheelchair accessible facility. Only two operatories, both enclosed, with HEPA air filtration, for privacy and safety. Parking is available in the back of the building.
Can I see an RDH for Teeth Cleaning without having to see a Dentist?
Yes!
We will show you your radiographs (xrays) and intraoral photos of your mouth and inform you of everything we find which can include gum inflammation, calculus (tartar build up), bone loss, broken teeth, cracks, restorations (fillings), oral lesions, tooth wear and tooth decay.
While you do not have to see a Dentist in order to see a Registered Dental Hygienist for preventive dental care and treatment of gum/periodontal disease/teeth cleaning/teeth whitening, you will need to visit a Dentist to take care of any restorative issue (permanent fillings and crowns) you may require as well as to discuss/treat issues you may have around tooth grinding, tooth movement (braces), missing/broken teeth (bridges and implants), cosmetic procedures (eg. veneers), gum surgery, etc.
If you don’t have a Dentist, we can refer you to one. We can also refer to Dental Specialists directly such as Oral Surgeons, Endodontists (root canal), Orthodontists (braces), Periodontists (gums), Pedodontists (kids) as well as other Healthcare providers depending on your needs.
Registered Dental Hygienists believe in oral health for total health and that includes a multi-disciplinary approach including your entire CHOSEN healthcare team.
If you wish to see your Dentist for your checkup and us for Dental Hygiene/teeth cleaning only, that’s OK too! We will share your file/xrays/images with any provider YOU CHOOSE.
Do you do teeth whitening?
Yes!
We do in-office teeth whitening.
You can have a quick, 20 minute teeth whitening session or a full 40 minute treatment, depending on what level of whiteness you wish to achieve.
If you wish to get a brighter smile, we can help you to achieve it!
Will my insurance cover the cost of my teeth cleaning visit?
Your dental insurance is accepted at our office and, as a courtesy to you, we will submit your bill directly to your insurance company on your behalf. If there is any difference owing, that portion will be charged to you directly. Please note that coverage varies significantly between plans. Some cover a total dollar amount per year, some allow x number of visits per year, some follow the current AB fee guide, some do not. You may wish to look at our fees and discuss what is covered with your insurance provider before your visit.
I have sensitive teeth, what can you do to make my teeth cleaning comfortable?
If you have sensitive gums, it is likely that it has been awhile since you had dental hygiene therapy/teeth cleaning. No problem, we’re ready for you at any stage.
Holley carries the restricted license to prescribe and administer local anesthetic. We also have topical anesthetics that can be simply “squirted” under the gums without the use of a needle.
If you have tooth sensitivity, the cause is often due to gum recession that exposes part of the tooth that used to be covered by gum. Teeth whitening can also cause tooth sensitivity.
We have desensitization agents that can be applied to those areas that are literally painted on.
Are Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants the same thing?
We know the two professions are often confused. To help clarify our roles, here are the legal definitions for both:
Dental Hygienists are primary healthcare providers that deliver direct patient care.
Under the Health Professions Act of Alberta, Registered Dental Hygienists assess, diagnose and treat oral health conditions through the provision of therapeutic, educational and preventive dental hygiene procedures and strategies to promote wellness.
Dental Assistants are dental auxiliaries that assist dental providers and work under the supervision of Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and Denturists
Under the Health Professions Act of Alberta, Dental Assistants provide supportive dental care services to maintain and promote oral health.
We Pledge to YOU to provide the best possible dental hygiene care we are able.
My Doctor Says I need to take antibiotics before dental hygiene treatment/teeth cleaning
Holley carries the restricted license to prescribe schedule I drugs used in Dental Hygiene Practice.
If you require antibiotic prophylaxis for dental hygiene therapy, we can arrange for you to receive your medication directly, you do not need to see your Physician nor Dentist for this service prior to seeing us.
How much does it cost to get my teeth cleaned?
Registered Dental Hygienists mostly work un-assisted and with basic chair set ups that don’t require a lot of space, we use relatively affordable materials and equipment, we also carry out our own in house instrument sterilization.
We really are “Independent” Dental Hygienists!
Reduced staffing and resource costs allow us to directly pass on that savings to the consumer while still offering high-quality preventive dental care.
A significant percentage of Albertans avoid seeking out oral healthcare/teeth cleaning due to the cost. Our goal is to help people gain access to preventive dental care/teeth cleaning by trying to keep fees as affordable as possible without compromising care.
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We want you to feel Safe and Welcome!
At what age should I start bringing my child for Hygiene?
It’s a good idea to bring your kiddos in for dental hygiene/ teeth cleaning and exam and when their first tooth erupts.
If we can at least get a cursory look in the mouth at this age to make sure everything is on track, that is ideal.
We call this a “happy visit” and is typically free of charge.
It’s a chance for your child to get used to visiting a clinic and for us to answer any questions you may have surrounding their oral health.
We are happy to prepare you as to what to do for your baby’s oral health during your pregnancy; as you await their arrival!
I'm worried about covid, what are you doing to keep me safe?
Our rooms are all enclosed. We currently are using two rooms and even they are social distanced.
Having only 1-2 operatories running at one time means few people are physically in the clinic at any one time.
We use high volume suctions and HEPA filtration to help keep aerosals (droplets in the air) minimized.
Contaminated and high touch areas are always wiped down twice with a disinfectant that kills tuberculosis (the hardest virus to kill).
Bonus luxury items we offer are flat screen TV viewing, and weighted or sherpa blankets No matter what your walk of life, we want you to feel at home in our clinic!
