Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Panoramic • Oral Surgery • Dental Laboratory

Scaling and Root Planing

Term from Dental Care industry explained for recruiters

Scaling and Root Planing is a deep cleaning dental procedure that goes beyond regular cleaning. It's a specialized treatment that dental professionals use to treat gum disease and maintain oral health. Think of it as a thorough cleaning that reaches below the gum line to remove built-up tartar and smooth out rough spots on tooth roots. This procedure is sometimes called "deep cleaning" or "periodontal therapy" in job descriptions. It's a fundamental skill that dental hygienists and some dental assistants need to master, similar to how a house cleaner might need to know both regular cleaning and deep cleaning techniques.

Examples in Resumes

Performed over 500 Scaling and Root Planing procedures annually with 95% patient satisfaction

Specialized in Deep Cleaning and SRP treatments for patients with periodontal disease

Led patient education initiatives about Scaling and Root Planing procedures and aftercare

Typical job title: "Dental Hygienists"

Also try searching for:

Dental Hygienist Registered Dental Hygienist Periodontal Hygienist Dental Care Specialist Preventive Dental Care Specialist

Where to Find Dental Hygienists

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle difficult cases where patients have severe periodontal disease?

Expected Answer: An experienced hygienist should discuss their approach to complex cases, including assessment, treatment planning, patient communication, and proper documentation. They should mention working with dentists for severe cases and explain how they maintain patient comfort during lengthy procedures.

Q: Can you describe your experience training other hygienists in SRP procedures?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership abilities, teaching methods, and how they ensure quality standards are maintained. Should include mention of documentation, proper techniques, and patient care protocols they've developed or implemented.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What steps do you take to ensure patient comfort during scaling and root planing?

Expected Answer: Should discuss pain management techniques, communication with patients, proper positioning, and use of anesthesia when needed. Should also mention post-procedure care instructions and follow-up protocols.

Q: How do you determine if a patient needs scaling and root planing versus regular cleaning?

Expected Answer: Should explain assessment process including pocket depth measurements, examining x-rays, checking for bleeding and inflammation, and consulting with the dentist when necessary.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What instruments do you use for scaling and root planing?

Expected Answer: Should be able to name basic manual and ultrasonic instruments used in the procedure and explain proper handling and maintenance of these tools.

Q: What are the basic steps of performing scaling and root planing?

Expected Answer: Should describe the process from start to finish, including patient preparation, area-by-area cleaning sequence, and post-procedure care instructions.