When you visit your dentist’s office for a checkup or cleaning, odds are that you’ll spend a relatively small amount of time with the actual dentist. For the most part, you can expect to spend the vast majority of the visit with your dental hygienist.

Hygienists are to dentists what nurses are to doctors; they spend the most time with patients and handle a lot of the legwork when it comes to routine appointments. As you can imagine, they tend to stay busy. If you want to know a little more about the core responsibilities of a dental hygienist, here are some of the things they can expect to do during a typical day.

February is not just about celebrating the one who has your heart for Valentine’s Day…it is also time to appreciate your literal heart! The second month of the year is American Heart Month, which means there is no better time to pay special attention to one of the most vital organs of your body. However, did you know that having a healthy heart is not just about watching your diet and exercising? Your oral health can directly impact it as well. Here’s how the state of your mouth and your heart are connected.