What's the different between a Dentist & a Dental Hygienist?

Answer:
As a dentist myself I can tell you that there are several differences. First off your dentist is a doctor, I went to four years of undergrad then 4 years of dental school. A dentist treats and diagnoses dental problems, we read x-rays, place fillings, extraction, root canals etc. We are also allowed to write prescriptions for medications (ex: narcotic pain medication and antibiotics), give injections/administer anesthesia, and if you have additional training post dental school then you may perform oral surgery. A dental hygienist is the person who takes x-rays, cleans teeth and assists the dentist during procedures etc. Henry C's answer is correct, it is relatively the same as the difference between a doctor and nurse. Although the dentist is the doctor and makes all the decisions, the dental hygienist is an extremely important person in ANY dental practice.

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Dentists can do the work, diagnosing, cleaning, everything. Hygienists are experts in the cleaning department. We specialize in scaling tartar/calculus and cleaning teeth/ treating/preventing periodontal disease and cavities.

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a dental hygenist is one who cleans your teeth, a dentist is like a doctor. he looks at the xrays and check your teeth for any problems

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It's the difference between a doctor and a nurse.

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The dentist Is a Doctor.

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A dentist is a doctor. He/She makes dental diagnosis and can remove tooth structure ( fillings, RCT, etc.). A dental hygienist can't diagnosis or remove structure but we can do everything else a dentist does. I can give anesthesia, place fillings, and I'm a profeesional "teeth cleaner". We also do periodontal therapies,ie. treating gum disease.

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a dentist checks your teeth and does all the work to the teeth the hygienist cleans them and gives you advice on how to brush and keep them lovely xx

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