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What is the Job of a Dental Hygienist?
by Contributing Writer
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Overview
Dental hygienists work in oral health care under the supervision of a dentist. They are responsible for cleaning teeth, patient education and providing other preventive oral health care services.
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Tasks
The primary task of a dental hygienist is to clean teeth by removing hard and soft calcium carbonate deposits from teeth. Dental hygienists also teach good oral health skills including how to brush and floss. They also apply sealants and provide fluoride treatments to help prevent tooth decay.
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Work Environment
Dental hygienists primarily work in dental offices. Some dental hygienists work in public health by providing education, exams, and preventive treatments in schools.
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Work Style
Dental hygienists must work independently and have good attention to detail.
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Education
An associate degree in dental hygiene is required to be employed as a dental hygienist. Programs that provide a certificate, bachelor's degree or master's degree are also available.
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Licensure
Dental hygienists must be licensed by the state in order to work. Licensure includes a written and clinical exam.
