Should dentists clean teeth?

  A number of dentists, feel that cleaning teeth is "too simple" for them to spend time cleaning teeth (also hygiene "production" is less than other types of procedures that a dentist may perform.).Dentist's whose heart is not into performing cleanings may not do their best job. In that case most hygienist will do a better job at cleaning their patients teeth.

I do about 20% of the cleanings that are performed in my office. I enjoy doing some cleanings and I have patients that ask for me. Other patients request that they be scheduled with Elena (our hygiene "Angel"). She is quite gentle and extremely nice and has been performing cleanings in our office for over ten years. 

This past vacation I rented a house in Cape Cod  and my son invited some of his friends who are recent graduates of NYU's dental school. Some will be working in dental offices as a first year associate instead of doing a general practice residency.  I advised them to not be upset if they were asked to perform cleanings for patients since its a good way to gain the trust of new patients.  Of course they should be allowed to perform other dental procedures as well in their new jobs, but hygiene is an essential part of every dental practice. In fact it one of the most important ways to ensure the continued dental health of our patients since it helps prevent periodontal disease and often provides dentists with a frequent way to pick up dental problems at early stages when they are most easily corrected.