Final answer:
False. Dental hygienists are qualified to perform prophylaxis, whereas dental assistants are not. Prophylaxis, involving fluoride and antiseptic mouthwashes, plays a crucial role in preventing tooth decay and maintaining oral health.
Step-by-step explanation:
False: While both dental hygienists and dental assistants are important members of a dental team, their roles in prophylaxis, which is a preventive treatment to clean teeth and prevent oral diseases, differ. Dental hygienists are licensed professionals specifically trained to perform prophylaxis, including scaling and root planing. In contrast, dental assistants do not typically perform prophylaxis as their education and scope of practice mainly involve assisting the dentist with procedures, sterilizing instruments, and performing administrative tasks. Prophylactic treatment is vital for maintaining oral health, and it involves good hygiene practices such as regular tooth brushing and flossing to remove microbes and prevent biofilm formation.
Fluoride in toothpaste is beneficial as it is incorporated into the hydroxyapatite of tooth enamel, enhancing protection against acidity from fermenting mouth microbiota and being bacteriostatic to slow enamel degradation. Additionally, antiseptic mouthwashes often contain plant-derived phenolics and/or heavy metals which help in controlling oral microorganisms by denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes.