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What Is the Difference Between a Hygienist and a Periodontist? - Harcourt Dental Clinic | Dentist in Dublin

14 Harcourt Street, Dublin, D02 KD21

Contact 01 475 1313 Online Booking

What Is the Difference Between a Hygienist and a Periodontist?

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What Is the Difference Between a Hygienist and a Periodontist?

Many patients say, “I already see a hygienist — why would I need a periodontist?”

Both roles are important, but they have different levels of training and responsibility when it comes to gum health.

Back to Gum Health (Periodontal Care & Hygiene)

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FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does a dental hygienist do?

A dental hygienist focuses on:

Professional cleaning.
Removing plaque and tartar.
Polishing teeth.
Preventative care.
Oral hygiene instruction.
Monitoring gum health.
Basic pocket depth measurements.

Hygienists play a vital role in preventing gum disease and maintaining oral health.

At Harcourt Dental Clinic, our hygienists also provide advanced hygiene care, including root planing and periodontal monitoring where appropriate.

When is a hygienist appropriate?

A hygienist is usually sufficient if:

You have healthy gums.
You have mild gingivitis.
There is no significant bone loss.
Your gum condition is stable.

Regular hygiene visits are essential for prevention and maintenance.

What does a periodontist do?

A periodontist is a dentist who has completed additional specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and supporting bone.

A periodontist manages:

Moderate to advanced gum disease.
Bone loss around teeth.
Gum recession.
Surgical gum treatment.
Regenerative procedures.
Complex periodontal infections.
Implant-related gum problems.

They are trained to manage cases where gum disease is progressing, unstable, or not responding to routine care.

When might a periodontist be needed?

Referral to a periodontist may be recommended if:

There is moderate or advanced bone loss.
Pocket depths are increasing.
Teeth are becoming mobile.
Gum disease is not responding to routine treatment.
Surgical intervention may be required.
Implant stability is at risk.

In these cases, specialist management can improve long-term outcomes.

About treatment

Why seeing a hygienist does not replace specialist care

Seeing a hygienist regularly is extremely important. However, if gum disease progresses beyond a certain stage, specialist diagnosis and treatment planning may be necessary.
It is similar to seeing a GP regularly, but being referred to a specialist if a condition becomes more complex.

How this works at Harcourt Dental Clinic

At Harcourt Dental Clinic:

Our hygienists provide preventative and maintenance care.
More advanced or unstable periodontal cases are referred to our periodontists for assessment and specialist management.

This ensures each patient receives the appropriate level of care for their condition.

Patient takeaway

Hygienists play a crucial role in maintaining gum health. A periodontist becomes involved when gum disease is more advanced, unstable, or requires specialist treatment. Both roles work together to protect your teeth long term.

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TREATMENT TESTIMONIALS

Our Smile Transformations

We’re proud to be a trusted part of our patients’ oral health journeys. Explore their testimonials to see how we’re creating positive dental experiences – one smile at a time.

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I required some extensive dental work, which I had been catastrophising in my head for some time now. Having finally plucked up the courage, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been cared for so professionally & competently by Lorna…

Colin K

I had a great experience with Lorna. She was very competent, gentle and took the time to explain everything clearly. I’d highly recommend Lorna to anyone who feels anxious about visiting the dentist!

Amy T

I’ve been a patient at Harcourt Dental Clinic for about 5 years now, and I couldn’t be happier with the service I’ve received. From the friendly and welcoming staff to the professional and skilled dentists, every visit has been a…

Adrian V

Martina is an excellent hygienist, professional, kind, and thorough. She made me feel completely at ease and did a fantastic job with my cleaning. I highly recommend her!

Ana R

I would highly recommend this dental practice. They are very professional in every sense. Special shout-out for Cianna & Kevin, two highly skilled dentists.

Brian R

I strongly recommend this dental practice. The reception staff are always friendly and polite. Dr Lorna Mahon and her assistant have been excellent in treating a quite difficult dental issue with great care and professionalism.

Matthew V

Contact us today!

If you have a broken tooth or a cracked tooth, contact us for an assessment and a clear plan.

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CAREERS AT HARCOURT DENTAL

4.8

Harcourt Dental Clinic

4.8

deboshruti banerji

13:48 08 Apr 26

No better dental health facility than this in Dublin. I’ve been coming here for years now and the care, quality and professionalism of Harcourt Dental Clinic is unparalleled - visits with Lorna Mohan, Ruth Morris and Martina have been absolute class. :)

Anne Bacon Byrne

18:17 23 Dec 25

I have been attending harcourt Dental for many years.. it’s always a pleasure to attend as all the staff are so friendly and professional…

Ruth

18:28 07 Nov 25

I’ve been going to harcourt dental for many years and always had a great experience. Dr. Lorna is such a great dentist, very attentive and reassuring and provides advice on how to maintain oral health. I’ve had other procedures with their oral surgeon and endodontist such as extractions and root canals and all have been very good. Very happy with them.

Kevin Smith

16:05 08 Oct 25

I was in with Martin’s O’keeffe (hygienist ) last week and as visits to a dentist go it was very enjoyable . Martina is very good at her job and is very professional and always makes me feel at ease and we even manage to have a bit of banter. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her or anyone else I’ve dealt with over the years . Keep up the good work Harcourt Dental Clinic 👏👏

Patricia Hinch

19:39 31 Aug 25

Lorna from Harcourt Dental Clinic is amazing. Her approach to managing my teeth is brilliant, I am 58, with a mount full of large filings and Lorna's work has made such improvements. She is so professional and communicates really well, setting out a plan. I am so relaxed when I go to the dentist that I fell asleep when I was getting a large back filling!Reception lady is very nice and helpful and dental nurse was so friendly when I was in with Lorna on 29/9.

Angela Krav

20:15 29 Aug 25

I again attended hygienist Rosie this week to have my teeth cleaned and just to say it was a really nice experience. Rosie is excellent in her job and is very careful and kind in every way. Thank you Rosie see you in 6 months.

Elena

21:08 24 Aug 25

I highly recommend Harcourt Dental Clinic. Everyone was very polite and professional. I’m always quite anxious about dental visits, but the Doctor I had my appointment with, made me feel completely at ease. She was really kind, and explained everything clearly.

Brian Rohan

22:22 13 Aug 25

I would highly recommend this dental practice. They are very professional in every sense. Special shout out for Cianna & Kevin, two highly skilled dentists.

Amy Todd

19:13 26 Jul 25

Colin Kelly

12:11 22 Jul 25

I required some extensive dental work which I had been catastrophising in my head for some time now. Having finally plucked up the courage, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been cared for so professionally & competently by Lorna and the team. Lorna has a wonderful kind manner, communicates very clearly, is a truly exceptional dentist and is a kind, empathic person. I cannot recommend highly enough. Thank you Lorna & team!

Terri G

18:23 17 Jul 25

I had a back tooth removed and a dental implant inserted. The entire process took several months. I received excellent care from Cianna O’Brien and her dental assistant at Harcourt Dental Clinic. They were both professional, warm and caring from the start of the process to the end.

Ana Reis

13:20 05 Jun 25

Martina is an excellent hygienist, professional, kind, and thorough. She made me feel completely at ease and did a fantastic job with my cleaning. I highly recommend her!

Eileen Lally

17:16 18 May 25

Great experience in Harcourt Dental Clinic. The hygienist Martina is great. She does a great job on my teeth every 3 to 4 months I'm very happy with her.

Adrian Vacaru

11:48 03 Apr 25

I've been a patient at Harcourt Dental Clinic for about 5 years now, and I couldn't be happier with the service I've received. From the friendly and welcoming staff to the professional and skilled dentists, every visit has been a positive experience.The clinic's communication is excellent, with clear explanations of treatments and costs. Appointments are always available at convenient times, and I've never had to wait long to be seen.The prices are very reasonable, and I appreciate the transparency around costs.Overall, I highly recommend Harcourt Dental Clinic to anyone looking for a reliable, trustworthy, and friendly dentist. Thank you to the whole team!

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