A typical dental of office is usually comprised of a dentist and the hygienists that work along side them. However, Harbour Dental Hygiene in Collingwood, which is operated by Barb White, is solely run by a team of Independent Registered Dental Hygienists.
If you are unfamiliar with this type of set-up, you're not alone. Independent dental hygienists have been in practice since 2007, and Harbour Dental Hygiene has been in operation for over 10 years. White, a Registered Dental Hygienist herself said, "What makes us different is our ability to work independently from a dentist while still offering the same dental hygiene treatment received in a dental office, but with more flexibility to focus on our clients in a more personalized way."
"It's gaining in popularity because people are becoming more and more aware of their health needs," White said, "I think what's happening is, people are realizing that they have to be their own advocate for their health, so they are seeking out alternatives that may suit them better."
Independent dental hygiene clinics are one of those options. For example, some people may suffer from anxiety and fear of the dental drill or needles, which make them hesitant to go to the dental office, preventing them from seeking dental hygiene treatment. "We could help them overcome some of those anxieties, as we only perform dental hygiene in treatment."
Harbour Dental Hygiene offers complete dental hygiene services, including oral exams, scaling/periodontal treatment, stain removal, oral cancer screening, fluoride application, desensitizing, pit and fissure sealants, sport guards and teeth whitening. But what makes their clinic unique is their ability to take the time with clients to explore different solutions for their individual needs.
Working in tandem with other healthcare professionals to achieve the best patient care possible
Individualized care and treatment plans are the heart of what Harbour Dental Hygiene does, and a big part of that is referring clients to other health professionals. They work closely with local dentists periodontist, denturists, dietitians, chiropractors, naturopaths, and even registered nurses to assist with client care. They may refer someone to a few different professionals depending on the specific needs.
"Acidic diets, for example, can make teeth extremely sensitive and cavity prone -- we may refer a client to a dentist for X rays to check for cavities. We may also discuss diet and a specific toothpaste and mouth rinse for high acidic mouths. We may also a referral to a dietitian or natural path for dietary changes.
If a client is a migraine sufferer, they may be referred to a specialist for wisdom teeth removal, a chiropractor for acupuncture or a dentist, dangerous for night guard for grinding cleaning.
Although clients may come with familiar similar complaints or symptoms, no two clients are the same, individualized treatment plans are required for all clients, we recommend regular dental checkups with a dentist to assist with maintaining overall oral health."
Maintaining a safe and modern environment for our clients
Harbour Dental Hygiene is a modern, updated Independent Dental Hygiene Clinic following the infection control standards set by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) and the Simcoe County Health Unit. All clinical staff members are Registered Dental Hygienists and are continually upgrading their education to give their clients the most up to date information in dental hygiene care.
A healthy smile is a great smile
Call to book an appointment at 705-446-0330, email [email protected] or visit their Facebook page for more information.