HYGIENE CARE
Supporting Your Oral Health
for lasting smiles
Preventive care for healthy teeth and gums at every stage of life.
Regular hygiene care is an essential part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. For some people, their treatment plan may involve visits to our Hygiene Care team who can help prevent common dental issues, like gum disease and buildup, while keeping your smile looking and feeling its best.
At Ashburton Family Dental, we go beyond treatment - we're here to support you with care and advice to create lasting smiles. Working as part of your dental care team, our hygienists and Oral Therapists can provide professional care that complements your regular check-ups and supports your long-term oral wellness.
Meet Your Hygiene Care
team
Learn how hygiene care supports healthy gums and lifelong oral health.
In this short video, Thu Huu, our Dental Hygienist & Oral Therapist, shares how she works alongside our dentists to deliver preventive care that's comfortable, educational, and tailored to each patient.
Watch now
What to Expect from Your Hygiene Care Visit
When you visit Ashburton Family Dental for hygiene care, we take the time to focus on what matters most - your oral health and comfort. Every visit is designed to leave your smile feeling fresher, brighter, and healthier. Here's what to expect:
01
Collaborative Assessment
Your dentist reviews your care plan and overall oral health, recommending hygiene care when it supports your ongoing treatment and preventive goals. This ensures your hygiene visit is tailored to your individual needs.
02
Professional Hygiene Care
Your hygienist provides professional cleaning and gum care—removing plaque, tartar, and stains that are often missed during regular brushing. Using advanced tools and techniques, we focus on the finer details, helping to maintain healthier gums and cleaner teeth.
03
Personalised Attention with a Forward Focus
At Ashburton Family Dental, we're not just treating today's concerns - we're looking ahead. We provide practical, easy-to-follow advice tailored to your needs, helping you maintain excellent oral health long into the future.
Whether it's brushing tips, dietary guidance, or advice on long-term care, we're here to support your smile every step of the way.
Thu Huu Pham
DENTAL HYGIENIST & ORAL THERAPIST
Hello, I'm Thu Huu.
What I love most about my role is connecting with patients and building long term relationships. I understand that visiting the dentist can feel daunting for some—but with extra care, empathy and teamwork, we can make each visit less daunting than the previous and
work towards positivity.
"Your gums matter too! They're the foundation of your teeth—and I love helping patients care for them."
After 13 years in dental hygiene and oral therapy, I can genuinely say I enjoy what I do. What drives me is seeing patients build confidence in themselves - when they no longer feel anxious about their dental visits and want to start prioritising their oral health.
Outside of the clinic, I value connection and community, which is why I'm so excited to be part of the Ashburton Family Dental team.
Here, we truly work together to support our patients at every step.
Thu Huu
Thu Huu brings over 13 years of experience as an Oral Health Therapist (a dual qualified dental hygienist and dental therapist) to Ashburton Family Dental. She focuses on preventative care, gum health and patient education.
Working closely with our dentists, Thu Huu provides professional (deep) cleans, gum therapy, and oral health education that complements each patient's overall care. Her philosophy is simple: prevention is always easier than treatment, and healthy gums are the foundation of your teeth.
Thu Huu believes that genuine care begins with listening and understanding each patient's needs. She takes the time to acknowledge patients' concerns and recognise barriers in order to find practical ways to help patients. Whether it's explaining what to expect during a dental visit, demonstrating cleaning techniques, or using diagrams and analogies to make information clearer—Thu Huu strives to make every patient feel seen, heard, and respected.
For Thu Huu, empowering patients with knowledge is central to her approach. She works with families to build awareness of healthy habits to create strong smiles. Starting from dietary advice to choosing a toothpaste, . she wants your family to leave feeling confident on how to care for your teeth at home.
Your Questions, Answered with Care
A hygienist focuses on preventive care—helping you maintain healthy gums and teeth through professional cleaning, plaque and tartar removal, and personalised oral health education. Working with your dentist, they provide care tailored to your individual needs.
Yes - your dentist remains your primary clinician, overseeing your complete care plan. Hygiene care may be recommended as part of your ongoing treatment to provide additional support for gum health and preventive care.
This depends on your individual dental needs. For some patients, hygiene visits may be recommended as part of every check-up; for others, they may be scheduled at specific intervals based on gum health, restorations, or other factors. Your dentist will guide you on what's appropriate for your oral health.
Hygiene care can be particularly beneficial for patients with gum concerns, dental implants, braces, aligners, or lifestyle factors such as frequent consumption of tea, coffee, or wine. It also supports families with helpful oral health education to support building strong oral health habits together.
Your hygienist will use professional tools to remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains, and polish your teeth. They'll also provide guidance on brushing and flossing techniques to help you maintain your oral health at home. Your comfort is important to us throughout your visit.
Many health insurance plans include coverage for hygiene care as part of preventive dental benefits. We recommend checking with your provider for specific details about your policy. Please note that a gap payment may be required, depending on your level of cover.
