Overview
Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals who have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program in an institution of higher education, licensed in dental hygiene to provide educational, clinical, research, administrative, and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimum oral health.
In performing the dental hygiene process of care, the dental hygienist assesses the patient's oral tissues and overall health determining the presence or absence of disease, other abnormalities and disease risks; develops a dental hygiene diagnosis based on clinical findings; formulates evidence-based, patient-centered treatment care plans; performs the clinical procedures outlined in the treatment care plan; educates patients regarding oral hygiene and preventive oral care; and evaluates the outcomes of educational strategies and clinical procedures provided.
Clinical procedures provided typically include removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from the teeth, exposing and processing dental X-rays, applying cavity-preventive agents, such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants, and administering antimicrobial agents. In some states, they also administer local anesthetics and nitrous oxide; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; perform root-planing as a periodontal therapy; and smooth and polish restorations. In addition, they can provide clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for interpretation by other health professionals.
To learn more, watch the video profile of "Dental Hygienists" and hear why ADEA Video Mentors decided to pursue careers in allied dentistry.
You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:
Dental Hygienist 18 Sep 2009 [pdf, 70 KB]
|
Average Salary:
$55,307
-
$0
[*]
Years in school:
2
-
6
after high school graduation
Job outlook:
Excellent
Institutional Profile
New Jersey Dental School
Dedicated to recruiting students from underrepresented minorities, so graduates can reach out to all communities
New Jersey Dental School—one of the eight schools of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey—was founded in 1956 and has a proud tradition of educational excellence. Since its inception, the school has been dedicated to recruiting students from underrepresented minorities, so graduates can reach out to all communities.
Read more
|