Hi, my name is Shelly, and I am a dental hygienist at Gwen Flanagan Dental. Born and raised in Newcastle, I entered the dental industry as an assistant. During this time, my passion for oral health grew, and in 2015, I furthered my career by graduating from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Oral Health. I have been working with Gwen and her team since September 2016. My aim is to provide optimum oral health and well-being to my patients. Nothing is more beautiful than seeing a person smile and knowing you are the reason behind it. It has been a pleasure working alongside Gwen and her team and extending my knowledge and experience here. In my spare time, you will find me adventuring with my husband and son or spending time with family and friends.
A dental hygienist is a graduate of an accredited university dental hygiene education program, and they are registered with the Australian Health Professional Regulation Authority (AHPRA). Dental hygienists are required to participate in continuing education courses for the renewal of their registration. They work closely with a dentist to diagnose, treat, and maintain your oral health as well as preventing dental disease. Their duties include:
- Health history assessment
- Oral cancer screening
- Removal of plaque, calculus, and staining using specialized dental scalers
- Assessment and treatment of periodontal disease (gum disease)
- Radiographs
- Teeth whitening
- Saliva testing
- Application of cavity preventive agents such as fluorides, varnishes, and sealants
- Administration of local anesthetic and other topical anesthetics
- Education of individualized oral hygiene techniques
- Nutrition advice that may assist in the prevention of dental decay
- Smoking cessation counseling as smoking is the biggest risk factor for periodontal disease
- Impressions for dental molds, whitening trays, occlusal splints, and mouthguards
