When the dental assistant uses the periodontal probe to check your periodontal pocket depths, can the use of the probe itself further damage your gums? It seems like it wouldn't be a good thing to wedge a probe down into your gums when you are trying to get your gums to attach more snugly to your teeth.|||The answer to all of your questions is yes: A periodontal probe *could* damage your gums, if it is used by an inadequately trained person. And yes, in most states, only dental hygienists and dentists receive that training.
A dental assistant is a differnt profession, and dental assistants do not (usually) receive training on how to a perio probe, although some states are allowing them to do more patient care.
I suspect, however, that you are just using the word "assistant" in its everday sense--someone who works in the dentist's office and relieves the dentist of some of the patient care duties that the dentist would otherwise perform. That person is probably a trained hygienist rather than a dental assistant.
If you have any concerns about who is working in your mouth, just ask in some non-threatening way. (Something like, "How long did you have to go to school to become a hygienist?") She will probably be proud to discuss her profession with you.|||Dr Albert is correct, dental probes cause no harm. However, a dental assistant is not licenced to do periodontal probing and improper techniques will hurt.|||JANE,
THE USE OF A PERIO PROBE CAUSES NO HARM
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