Dental hygienists are prevention specialists with the most comprehensive theoretical and clinical training in nonsurgical periodontal therapy of any dental professional. We focus entirely on preventing oral health issues before they start and maintaining optimal oral health through:

Assessment & Diagnosis

• Reviews medical and dental history
• Examines teeth, gums, soft tissues, and bite
• Develops a personalized treatment plan with your consent

Clinical Care & Prevention

• Professional teeth cleaning (scaling/debridement)
• Applies fluoride, sealants, and desensitizing agents
• Provides oral hygiene and nutrition guidance

Ongoing Care & Referrals

• Evaluates progress at every visit
• Adjusts treatment plans as needed
• Refers to dentists, specialists, or physicians if necessary

Think of it this way: Just like you can get your flu shot at a pharmacy and still maintain your relationship with your family doctor, you can get your professional cleaning from a dental hygienist while keeping your regular dentist for check-ups and treatments.

We maintain strong professional relationships with local dentists and maintain your records which will be available to share with your healthcare specialists at your request. You'll still want to see your dentist regularly for check-ups and any necessary treatment - we're simply providing focused, dedicated hygiene care between those visits.

Yes. Regular dentist examinations are an essential part of maintaining your oral health. 

For many people, dentistry and dental hygiene serve different purposes. Your hygiene visit is about preventive care like cleaning and gum health. It can be helpful to separate that from decisions about dental conditions like fillings and crowns. By seeing a hygienist separately you get a dedicated appointment where the focus is purely on prevention, comfort and care. When it's time for the dentist you can approach that visit with the same level of focus. 

Dental hygienists and dentists have distinct roles. Some patients prefer separate appointments to focus on one aspect of care at a time, while others like the convenience of combining both. It’s your choice—what matters most is that you have the information to decide what works best for you.  

Your oral healthcare providers work collaboratively by:

• Maintaining detailed records of your care
• Sharing relevant health information with your consent
• Making appropriate referrals when needed
• Coordinating to provide comprehensive oral healthcare

Our focus is on providing safe, ethical care that meets your individual needs while following professional standards and guidelines.

A dental hygienist will make a referral if they identify a concern during your assessment that falls outside their scope of practice. This may involve directing you to a dentist, dental specialist, physician, or another healthcare provider for further evaluation or treatment. Referrals are not part of the dental hygiene diagnosis but rather are part of the dental hygiene treatment plan.

We are pleased to accept most insurance plans and offer direct billing for your convenience. 

However, please note:

• Insurance coverage varies significantly between plans. Having insurance does not guarantee complete coverage of your dental services.

We recommend:

• Checking with your insurance provider about your specific coverage
• Reviewing your treatment plan and associated fees before proceeding with care
• Asking us any questions about fees for services before treatment begins

You are ultimately responsible for the full cost of treatment, regardless of what your insurance plan covers:

• Any portion not covered by your insurance is your responsibility and payment is due at the end of your appointment.

By proceeding with treatment, you acknowledge and accept responsibility for any fees not covered by your insurance plan. Our fees are based on the current BCDHA fee guide.