Your dentist is typically the first member of the dental team to identify patients at risk of or with periodontal disease. This usually follows your dentist undertaking a ‘gum health check' where the gum tissues around your teeth are carefully checked for signs of inflammation and disease. Your dentist is trained not only to identify and diagnose gum infections but also treat the early stages of gum disease. This may include scaling, root planning tooth polishing aimed at removing plaque and calculus deposits and stain from the tooth and tooth root surfaces. If your dentist has a hygienist in their practice, in most cases this initial treatment will be undertaken by the hygienist and then reviewed by the dentist. In cases where there is not complete resolution of the gum problem, patients should be referred to a specialist periodontist. Some general dentists in New Zealand hold a clinical diploma in periodontics (DipClinDent.) which further identifies these dentists as having a particular interest in ensuring patients receive the appropriate treatment of their gum problems. In cases where there is not complete resolution of the gum problem following treatment with the general dentist, patients should be referred to a specialist periodontist.
A Dental Hygienist is a registered health professional and has graduated from an accredited school of dental hygiene. In order to practice in New Zealand, dental hygienists need to be registered with the Dental Council of NZ and have an annual practicing certificate (APC). Dental Hygienists are trained specifically in the provision of oral health education and the prevention of oral disease to promote healthy oral behaviours. Their objective in the management of patients with gum disease is in prevention of gum diseases (Gingivitis and Periodontitis) and the non-surgical treatment of periodontal diseases. This includes scaling, root planning tooth polishing aimed at removing plaque and calculus deposits and stain from the tooth and tooth root surfaces. Dental hygienists practise as part of a team with clinical guidance provided by a practising dentist or dental specialist (Periodontist). In some cases the dentist and dental hygienist will need to refer the patient to a specialist periodontist for further treatment.
A periodontist is a registered dental specialist who trained in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, which typically includes three additional years of full time education after they qualified as general dentist. Periodontists are registered specialists with the Dental Council of NZ. Periodontists are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases including non-surgical and surgical therapies. In addition, they can perform cosmetic periodontal procedures, often referred to as periodontal plastic surgery, to enhance your smile include procedures such as gum lifts and connective tissue grafts (gum grafts). Periodontists are also specifically trained to undertake complex regenerative procedures around dental implants including Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR). In most cases the dentist refers their patients to a periodontist for dental implant tooth replacement or treatment of periodontal diseases. However, you don't need a referral to see a periodontist, you can choose to go directly to a periodontist yourself without a referral. You can also refer family or friends directly to a periodontist.