Healthier gums, brighter smiles with hygiene visits
A professional clean is the foundation of a healthy smile - protecting your gums, freshening your breath and giving your teeth back that just-polished feeling. Friendly hygiene appointments at our St Margarets practice.
What is a hygiene appointment, and why does it matter?
A hygiene appointment is so much more than a simple "scale and polish." It's a thorough professional clean that removes the build-up of plaque and tartar your toothbrush simply can't reach, leaving your gums healthier, your teeth cleaner, and your breath fresher.
Hygiene visits are also one of the best ways to prevent gum disease, decay and bad breath in the first place. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure - and at St Margarets Smiles we believe in helping patients keep their natural teeth healthy for life. For patients managing existing gum issues, regular hygiene visits are the cornerstone of gum disease treatment.
What our hygiene patients in St Margarets say
S J.
Wonderful experience this morning from booking, reception to my appointment with Rachel, hygienist. She is very knowledgeable and gave lots of good advice.
Sagar L.
The check-up and cleaning were excellent, and I really appreciate how thorough and professional you both were. You made me feel comfortable, and I'm very happy with how everything went. My teeth feel great!
Kay H.
Wow...what a relief!! I am so lucky to have found an NHS dentist near me who are welcoming and efficient. Emily Johnson was gentle, patient and thorough and clearly very knowledgeable.
Steve S.
Dr Emily and the entire staff did a fantastic job making my daughter feel comfortable on her first ever trip to the dentist. I would recommend St Margaret's Smiles to anyone looking for a professional, caring and supportive environment.
Jo R.
Rachael and Kiran were great! Rachael was a very thorough, friendly and informative hygienist. Kiran was fantastic supporting as a nurse. A great experience - from someone who never particularly enjoys visiting the dentist!
Jane R.
I am a nervous patient and Smiles made me feel at ease, especially Emily my dentist.
Glen M.
Great dentist great staff excellent service.
Neda D.
I must say my recent visit to St Margarets Smiles was extremely pleasant. Receptionist Jess was very helpful, and Rachel the dental hygienist explained so clearly how I can improve the health of my teeth. I won't be afraid to come again.
Marina L.
Great experience at this dental clinic. The staff were very friendly and gave excellent attention to my child, making him feel comfortable. Everything was explained clearly and in a very kind way. Really glad we chose this clinic.
Karen J.
As always, St Margarets Smiles is welcoming and knows its patients. I had two appointments, one with the hygienist and then with Mr Panesar. Both were done quickly and efficiently.
Anna H.
Great practice, wonderful doctors and very pleasant staff.
Catherine M.
Lovely new front teeth.
Ian B.
Excellent professional dentist practice.
Barbara D.
Great care as always!
Dagmara Z.
Very happy with the practice.
Thomas G.
Very good service, thanks.
Nombasa N.
Always a good experience.
Dan B.
Even through the midst of an IT crash everyone was super friendly and helpful.
Sophie B.
Professional, kind and helpful.
Pankaj T.
Fatima is amazing, very helpful and kind. Dentist is amazing.
David F.
Friendly staff, excellent service.
Karim A.
Fatima is lovely, always smiley face and great service.
Harriet D.
Emily is so kind and professional, it makes a big difference.
Noreen R.
I can't thank Dr Emily Johnson enough for the care she is taking with my teeth.
Lauren A.
Great experience with Dr. Emily and new receptionist staff. Very friendly and informative.
Barbara B.
Farzana - 100% the best hygienist and a thoroughly lovely person I have ever had - today was my second with her - perfect and thank you.
Caroline R.
Excellent care! Real understanding of my deafness and such supportive team. I really thank you.
Niki S.
St Margarets Smiles is the best by miles. Lisa on reception is particularly warm and friendly and puts one immediately at ease.
Laura K.
Very happy with St Margaret's Smiles. Easy to book appointments and really friendly staff. Emily and Fatima, thank you.
Ed W.
Prompt, friendly and professional treatment. Highly recommended.
Susan B.
Crown expertly fitted. Quick and efficient service. Pleasant friendly staff.
Ella D.
I had a great experience with Emily the dentist, everyone was very very friendly and made me feel at ease.
Michelle C.
I visited the hygienist today and she did a wonderful job. I haven't had them cleaned for about 6 years and she has done wonders in 30 minutes. Highly recommended!
Katherine M.
Excellent customer care. Highly recommend.
Susanna H.
My last appointment was hygienist, she was brilliant! The dental nurse with her was great too, highly recommend.
Andrew W.
A very thorough check up. Course of action clearly explained. I needed to be referred to Kingston hospital for some restorative treatment and this referral happened promptly.
Olivia L.
While going to the dentist is hardly a pleasant experience, the team really make up for it. The super lovely and personable receptionist will put you at ease before being seen by the professional and swift dentist. Having used both NHS & Private the level of care is always top notch.
Argita P.
I had a wonderful experience. The staff was friendly, professional, and made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in. The clinic was clean and well-organised, and everything ran smoothly.
Keith S.
Very polite and friendly practice. They do take personal care of patients. I felt very comfortable. Rachel is very diligent and offered great advice. I felt very much at ease.
Ben J.
Had a great experience at St Margaret Smiles with Dr Emily and Fatima, very thorough with my examination. Lisa the receptionist was also very welcoming.
Emanuela G.
Gentle and polite manners towards my little one and professional.
Tania T.
Everyone was very kind and helpful but overall very professional.
Abigail A.
Very good service! I had Farzana as my hygienist — she was professional, friendly, and made the whole experience comfortable. Would definitely recommend!
Nigel C.
I've been coming here for years. Flexible, friendly and efficient. Dentist and hygienist.
Keith G.
The hygienist was very good, gentle and thorough, with great communication of what was happening.
Ruth S.
The hygienist did a thorough job and gave me good advice.
Kelvin L.
Dr Emily was very patient and helpful. She was treating my younger son with lots of care and explaining along about what she was doing to my son. I'll recommend her to others.
Jim M.
I'm not the best patient in the world but was very satisfied with the treatment received. Dr. Emily, assisted by Fatima did a great job of making me comfortable and carried out their work really well. All the staff seem very competent and helpful.
Tyler D.
From the receptionist to the dentist, great service, very professional, I'm glad to be a patient at this place, thank you ladies.
Brad H.
Got a checkup for myself and my toddler. Great service and friendly staff - thanks Emily for the checkup! I also went back for some dental hygiene work and my teeth are much cleaner now.
Ianstrax
All the procedures I have had have been performed with care and skill. This is a practice that I would highly recommend.
Arki H.
Rachel was amazing she deserves a bonus. Come see her immediately if you got problems.
Ester K.
Very friendly and professional dental clinic. I also found the most gentle and accommodating hygienist there for my sensitive teeth, while she cleans them very well. Short waiting time for appointments and very flexible and friendly staff and environment. My son loves going there too, for check up and hygiene appointments.
Gregory C.
The service was excellent, and the product exceeded my expectations both in ease of use and result.
Katalin P.
Excellent service. Both of my sons were treated here. We are very pleased with St Margarets Smiles.
Dot H.
I'm always nervous about visiting the dentist, but Emily and the staff were very understanding. Emily's treatment was steady and gentle. Thank you for making the visit as comfortable as possible for an anxious lady.
Liberty D.
I couldn't recommend St Margaret's Smiles more! I am someone who is a nervous client when it comes to seeing a dentist. However my experience with Emily & Farzana has been great. They both made sure I was well looked after & made me feel at ease! As soon as you walk in, the receptionists are attentive and lovely.
Duy P.
Dr Emily is very good. Highly recommended. Professional, skilful and gentle. The surgery has the latest equipment, appointments manager is also great. My whole family is now registered with Dr Emily.
Diana W.
As always a first class service... I have been at this practice since 1998... always consistently good. From fillings crowns and general care I would recommend 100%.
Derek D.
Helpful and super friendly receptionist and excellent hygienist who took great care. I'm obviously not a fan of going to the dentist but they make it far easier to have a much better experience.
Vanessa D.
Best dentist I have ever had! Dr Emily has really helped me overcome my phobias and helped manage my dental care proactively.
Ali C.
Mine and my children's experience at St Margarets Smiles is always a very positive one. A super friendly front of house team, dental staff and an amazing hygienist!
Andrea D.
Mr Panesar is an excellent dentist, who works with care and precision and is always ready to explain the treatment he is recommending. A particular thanks to two new receptionists, Lisa and Adrienne, professional and helpful and able to find a spot for a semi-urgent treatment for me. Really appreciated.
Angela K.
Hygienist Rachel was wonderful... warm and welcoming but much more ... she's informative about the process and gives clear advice!
James
Excellent care and attention kindly provided by Dr Emily and her assistant as well as by hygienist Emily. Dr Emily took care to explain everything carefully and took photographs to illustrate her explanations. She listened to my concerns equally carefully and acted accordingly.
Dean S.
I took my 1 year old for their first check up at St Margaret's Smiles, the receptionist and the 2 dental nurses were fantastic and very professional, it was also extremely clean and tidy. There was also no tears.
Susan C.
From the lovely, helpful, friendly receptionist, I think her name is Lisa, to the dentist who explains everything and will only do work necessary, this practise is amazing. I've been coming here for years and would never dream of going elsewhere. The receptionist was extremely helpful when I phoned for an emergency appointment at 9am and got one at 11am.
Joanne M.
Rachel the Hygienist was very thorough with the children and guided them on good brushing technique and answered all their questions. Adrienne on the front desk was great at keeping the children occupied while they waited. Great service and very happy kids.
Kat K.
I had a really lovely experience at my first hygienist appointment! The lady on reception was super welcoming and friendly. Rachel was really friendly and informative during my appointment where she made me feel at ease (I'm not a fan of the dentist) and made me feel really good about my teeth! The dental assistant was also very gentle and nice! The experience has made me feel much better about coming for hygienist appointments in the future.
Margot L.
I had my appointment with Rachael and it was definitely the best dental appointment I've ever had. She was so lovely and kind and explained everything step by step so I knew what was happening. Also gave very good advice and overall made sure I was comfortable and informed. Would recommend seeing her for anyone who is nervous about getting their teeth cleaned.
Your hygiene appointment, step by step
A friendly check-in
Your hygienist will start with a quick chat about your oral health, any sensitivities you might have, and how you're getting on with brushing and flossing at home. There's no judgment - just helpful, practical advice.
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Examining your gums and teeth
She'll carefully check your gums, looking for any signs of inflammation or early gum disease, and assess the build-up of plaque and tartar around your teeth.
Your professional clean
Using gentle ultrasonic and hand instruments, your hygienist will carefully remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. She'll work at a pace that suits you, checking in regularly to make sure you're comfortable.
Personalised oral health advice
Your hygienist will share tailored advice on brushing technique, flossing or interdental cleaning, and anything specific to your mouth - so you can keep your teeth looking and feeling great between visits.
Booking your next visit
Most patients see our hygienist every six months, though some need to come more often if they're managing gum issues. Your hygienist will recommend the right frequency for you.
Who should book a hygiene appointment?
Hygiene visits benefit everyone, but they're particularly important if you fall into one of these groups:
Meet your hygienist in St Margarets
Our hygienist Rachael Kayibanda holds an FDSc in Oral Health Sciences from the University of Essex and has worked in dentistry from multiple angles - including as a dental nurse before qualifying as a hygienist, which gives her a really rounded understanding of patient care.
Rachael's main clinical focus is the management of periodontal disease and prevention-based dentistry. She believes oral health is closely connected to overall wellbeing, and she takes time to explore the wider factors that may influence your dental health. She's particularly experienced at working with nervous patients, drawing on her own personal experiences to provide care that's empathetic, reassuring and patient-centred.
Why regular hygiene visits are worth the investment
A professional clean every six months can save you significant time, discomfort and money in the long run.
Prevent gum disease
Reduce risk of tooth loss
Fresher breath, brighter smile
Spot small issues early
Protect your dental investments
How much does a hygiene appointment cost in Twickenham?
If you're combining your hygiene visit with whitening prep or have specific concerns, we'll always recommend the right session length for you. Full pricing for all our treatments is available on our fee guide page.
Routine hygiene session
Extended hygiene session
A routine session is ideal for patients with healthy gums who are coming in for their regular six-monthly clean. An extended session gives your hygienist more time to work on areas of concern and to manage gum disease.
Your hygiene appointment questions answered in Twickenham
How often should I have a dental check-up?
Most patients benefit from a check-up every six months, though some patients with good oral health may only need to come once a year. Your dentist will recommend the right frequency based on your individual needs and any risk factors.
What if I haven't been to the dentist in years?
Don't worry - you're far from alone. Lots of patients come to us after years (sometimes decades) away from the dentist. There's no judgment, just a warm welcome and a relaxed conversation about what feels manageable as a first step.
Are dental x-rays safe?
Yes - modern dental x-rays use very low doses of radiation, and we only take them when there's a clear clinical reason. They allow us to see what isn't visible to the naked eye, which can prevent more serious problems from going undetected.
What if my dentist finds something at my check-up?
If your dentist spots something that needs treatment, they'll explain everything clearly and provide a written treatment plan with all costs listed up front. You'll have time to think things over before deciding what to do next - there's never any pressure to start treatment on the day.
Can I bring my children to their check-up at the same time as mine?
Yes, we love family appointments - it's often easier for busy parents to bring everyone in together. Just let us know when you book and we'll do our best to arrange back-to-back appointments. We're particularly mindful of making children's check-ups feel positive and stress-free.
What's the difference between a check-up and a hygiene appointment?
A check-up is carried out by your dentist and focuses on assessing your overall oral health and spotting any problems. A hygiene appointment is carried out by your hygienist and focuses on professional cleaning to keep your gums healthy. Most patients have both regularly.
Do you accept check-up patients from outside St Margarets?
Yes, we welcome patients from across the TW1 postcode and the wider Richmond upon Thames borough - including East Twickenham, Isleworth, Whitton and Strawberry Hill. We're a short walk from St Margarets train station with pay-and-display parking right outside.