Dental Hygienist Mock Interview
Master 25 Dental Hygienist interview questions covering patient care, clinical protocols, and infection control.
Question 13 of 25
Which do you recommend to patients, water flossing or string flossing?
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Example Answer
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Community Answers
If asked this question, be sure your answer demonstrates an understanding of both options. Underscore the importance of flossing in general as part of a healthy oral health regimen.
"It depends on the situation. String flossing is more of the gold standard, but some patients have physical limitations or difficulty accessing certain parts of the mouth. If water flossing is better suited for that patient, then I recommend whichever flossing option they will use most regularly. One benefit of string flossing is the convenience. I often recommend that patients who have a hard time remembering to floss to keep some in their car or at their desk, places where they spend a significant amount of time."
"For my patients that have recession or a more advanced stage of periodontitis, I recommend water flossing. Food debris can easily get stuck in the larger embrasures on these patients, and the water flosser can help to clean these areas."
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"Water flossing can be more comfortable for my patients with arthritis or other mobility issues. Other than that, since flossing is typically such a battle with patients, I recommend whatever they would be willing to do daily to maintain a healthy mouth."
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Anonymous Answer
It depends on the patient's preference, as well. If the patient has poor manual dexterity, for example, arthritis, I would recommend water flossing as well as for crown, bridge, and implant patient. Otherwise, string flossing is more of a traditional way to do it. I usually recommend a patient try both and find whichever one that is working, and they feel comfortable with it.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's great that you consider what your patients like, and very observant of you to consider their dexterity. Nice response!
Anonymous Answer
I would always recommend string flossing. I feel you have more control with string, it's visibly more effective, and there are new ways of flossing tepe brushes are usually best, they look like a little bottle brush and simply go in and out of the teeth contact and I find they are much easier and much more effective to use.
Rachelle's Feedback
Good! You make some fantastic recommendations, and who doesn't love the feeling of a TePe brush! :)
"I have always recommended string flossing because I feel string flossing offers more control, and it's visibly more effective. There are new ways of flossing, such as TePe brushes, which are like a little bottle brush and go in and out of the teeth contact. I find these are much easier and more effective compared to water flossing."
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