Direct access to dental hygiene

See a trusted dental hygienist at Cowbridge Dental Specialists without seeing a dentist first.

"Justin has been so approachable and empathetic and has striven for perfection on my behalf. My experience has been a very personal and extremely positive journey where Justin and the team have gone above and beyond."

Caryl Jones

What is direct access?

For your comfort and convenience, you can see our dental hygienist directly, without the need to see a dentist first.

In 2013 the General Dental Council (GDC) removed its barrier to direct access for some dental care professionals, after considering the impact on patient safety. Before then, every member of the dental team had to work on the prescription of a dentist. This meant that patients had to be seen by a dentist before being treated by any other member of the dental team.

At Cowbridge Dental Specialists we offer direct access to our dental hygienists and therapists to help keep your teeth and gums well.

Helping you look after your dental health

Taking good care of your oral hygiene is important for your smile, comfort and confidence. Our dental hygienists and therapists can carry out their full scope of practice without prescription and without you having to see a dentist first. The only exception to this is tooth whitening, which must still be carried out on prescription from a dentist.

Our experienced hygienist can help with:

Oral hygiene advice
Checking for any oral health issues including gum disease
Prevention of bleeding gums and bad breath
Removal of stains, plaque and tartar
Advise you on the progression of gum disease

More advanced conditions need to be assessed by a dentist or our specialist periodontist. Dental hygienists can’t diagnose or advise of the likely outcome of conditions such as decaying or broken teeth. Nor can they prescribe antibiotics, painkillers or any other drugs to alleviate symptoms.

The benefits of regular dental hygiene visits

Fresher breath

Cleaner, healthier teeth and gums

Brighter smile

Prevention of gum disease

Gum disease: prevention over cure

Gum disease is caused by the plaque around your teeth inflaming the gums and resulting in bone loss. It’s the leading cause of tooth loss, but having a professional clean regularly will help prevent it. Your dental hygienist will remove any plaque build up, stopping the inflammatory process.

Sometimes though, you may not even know you have gum disease until it’s too late. In that case, our Specialist Periodontist here in Cowbridge can help. They will draw on their specialist knowledge, skills and experience to manage and treat the symptoms of gum disease, restoring you to a full bill of dental health.

Commonly asked questions about dental hygiene

Book an appointment

Book an appointment with the dental hygiene team at Cowbridge Dental Specialists today, for healthy teeth and gums.

Book now