The Dental Hygienist in the Netherlands – and a New Way of Cleaning Teeth

If you’ve recently moved to the Netherlands, you might notice that dental care here is strongly focused on prevention. Most people visit their dentist twice a year for a routine check-up. During this appointment, the dentist checks the health of your teeth and gums and may refer you to a dental hygienist if there is too much plaque or tartar.

The dental hygienist’s main task is to keep your mouth healthy by removing plaque and tartar, cleaning around the gums, and giving advice on how to care for your teeth at home. Regular visits can help prevent cavities, gum problems and bad breath.

Traditionally, teeth are cleaned using small instruments to remove tartar and a polishing device to smooth the surface. However, some practices now use a more modern method called AirFlow (developed by the company EMS). This system cleans the teeth with a fine spray of air, water and powder, rather than traditional polishing tools.

Not every dental practice uses AirFlow, but you may come across it during a hygienist appointment. It’s simply a different technique for achieving the same goal: keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy.