What is a Dental Hygienist?
A Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is a licensed oral healthcare professional who focuses on preventive dental care, including cleaning teeth, educating patients about oral hygiene, and assisting dentists in providing comprehensive dental care. The two biggest roles of dental hygienists are education and prevention of disease. Dentistry continues to evolve as we learn more about the connections between the whole body and the mouth, and so dental hygiene recommendations are specific to every patient. Dental hygienists help patients understand the connection between oral health and systemic conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, high risk pregnancy, sleep apnea, and heart disease so that patients can make informed decisions about their health.
Dental Hygienists remove plaque, tartar, and stain, both above and below the gumline. During your professional cleaning, dental hygienists focus on the key factors that contribute to cavities and gum disease. Dental hygienists also do oral cancer screenings, check for decay and early signs of periodontal disease. Sometimes dental hygienists will apply preventive treatments like Silver Diamine Fluoride, fluoride varnish, and dental sealants.
Meet Courtney Connell, RDH and Oral Systemic Educator!
Courtney has been in the dental field since 2002 when she first joined the Air Force. In the Air Force, Courtney developed a passion for dental hygiene and education. She has continued to expand her career and education to include Myofunctional Therapy, Oral Systemic Health Education, and as an adjunct faculty member at Colorado Mountain College’s Dental Hygiene program.
“My biggest hope is that I can teach people that the mouth is the ‘gateway’ to the rest of the body. Your oral health will affect you for a lifetime.”
She loves bringing her knowledge to her care at Elevated Community Health! Courtney brings her knowledge to our School Based Health Centers in Lake county to teach kids that they can stop disease before it becomes a problem later in life. In addition to caring for students, you will often see Courtney in the community at hosting events for Seniors to care and educate them on dental conditions that are specific to the aging mouth. Courtney finds that it is important we share this information so that seniors can keep their teeth healthy as long as possible, acknowledging that oral health affects quality of life.
When she is not at the dental office or schools, you can find Courtney outdoors, enjoying all the things that mountain life has to offer. You may even get to meet her two dobermans, Leeloo and Legend!
Thank you Courtney for all you do at ECH!
Schedule your cleaning at Elevated Community Health with Courtney or one of our dental hygienists and take a simple step toward lifelong wellness.
Call to make an appointment 970-668-4055