How Does a Dental Hygienist Spend a Workday?
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A Growing Career Field
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One of the fastest-growing occupations today, dental hygienists work closely with dentists and dental assistants in providing dental care to patients. The need for more dental hygienists will increase in the future as the elder population grows and more focus is placed on preventive dental care. As dentists become busier, they rely more on dental hygienists to perform many of the routine preventive dental care tasks they once provided.
Duties of the Dental Hygienist
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Because the hygienist often is the first person to examine a patient's teeth and gums, she is responsible for documenting any problems. This allows the dentist more time to perform diagnostic procedures and treat more serious dental problems. Hygienists use special instruments to clean and polish teeth. Their tasks include removing stains and plaque from teeth, which requires good manual dexterity. Hygienists can take dental X-rays and apply pit and fissure sealants to protect teeth from decay. In some states, dental hygienists are even permitted to place temporary fillings and remove sutures.
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Providing Preventive Care
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Patient education often is a primary role of the dental hygienist. A professional who not only provides preventive dental care, the dental hygienist also teaches patients how to practice good oral hygiene. Along with showing patients how to properly brush and floss their teeth, the hygienist often explains the importance of eating a nutritious diet for maintaining oral health.
Practicing Safeguards
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A dental hygienist is required to wear gloves, safety glasses and surgical masks whenever working on patients. Gloves must be removed and discarded after treating an individual. The hygienist washes her hands thoroughly before putting on a new pair of gloves between each new patient. These precautions are required to control the risk of infection and to help protect both the hygienist and patients from the spread of infectious diseases.
Qualifications
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While admissions criteria may differ from one dental hygiene program to another, a minimum of a certificate or an associate degree in dental hygiene is required. Some programs require that applicants complete at least 1 year of college, including laboratory and classroom instruction in anatomy, physiology, nutrition, chemistry and pharmacology. Credits in the social and behavioral sciences, microbiology and radiography also may be needed. Passing a written and clinical licensure exam usually is required in addition to earning certification or a degree from an accredited dental hygiene program. Bachelor's and master's degrees can be earned in dental hygiene as well, and are mandatory for dental hygienists who teach or practice in schools or other public health programs. Dental hygienists must be licensed in the state in which they practice.
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