What is a dental exam?A dental exam is a checkup of your teeth and gums. Most children and adults should get a dental exam every six months. These exams are important for protecting oral health. Oral health problems can become serious and painful if not treated promptly.Dental exams are usually performed by both a dentist and a dental hygienist. A dentist is a doctor specially trained to care for teeth and gums. A dental hygienist is a health care professional trained to clean teeth and help patients maintain good oral health habits. Although dentists can treat people of all ages, children often go to pediatric dentists. Pediatric dentists are dentists who have received additional training to focus on dental care for children.Other names: dental checkup, oral exam
