Dental Factoid

Independent dentists reported paying full-time dental hygienists $25.60 per hour in 1999. Full-time chairside dental assistants were reported to earn $13.20 an hour in 1999.
Managing Pain

There are many methods for relieving oral pain. They include:
  • Ice packs on the affected area.
  • Avoiding hard candy or ice.
  • Avoiding sleeping on your stomach.
Dentists use a wide array of pain management tools, including:
  • Anesthetics such as Novocaine.
  • Analgesics such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
  • Sedatives, including a procedure known as "conscious sedation" or general sedation (also known as "deep sedation").