Dental hygienists

Dental Hygienists – What Does The Job Entail?

Dental hygienists are licensed dental professionals that focus on oral health and disease preventive measures through proper oral hygiene. Contrary to what many believe, they are not dentist assistants neither are they licensed to perform complex oral procedures and/or surgeries. Their tasks only include removing soft and hard deposits that have accumulated in the teeth, teaching patients proper oral hygiene methods and providing other preventive dental care including root planning therapy and application of cavity-preventive fluorides and sealants. They may be trained in using use x-ray machines as well.

Each state has a different scope of work for dental hygienists. This is why you should pass the licensing exam in the same state that you want to set up your clinical practice in. Some areas will limit them to dental hygiene only, but in others they may be allowed to offer minor treatments – as long as they are qualified for it. Below are the general tasks that you will need to perform on a patient as a dental hygienist.

1.    Patient assessment. A dental hygienists job includes reviewing the medical history of your patient. This information will help you assess what clinical exams are needed now and in the future.

2.    Dental hygiene diagnosis. Once you’ve properly assessed the patient, you need to identify any oral problems that they may have. You may formulate your own treatment plan but the final diagnosis usually lies with a licensed dental doctor.

3.    Treatment plan. Though the final decision on the treatment is under the authority of a dentist, a dental hygienist can still create a treatment plan especially for the immediate needs of a patient. If it only involves oral cleaning, you can take care of that.

4.    Treatment implementation. You may be allowed to perform some dental treatments depending on the state where you work.

5.   Patient Evaluation. Part of your job is to determine the effectiveness of your treatment plan. If it is not effective, then additional measures need to be taken.

The above responsibilities illustrate that more than anything, dental hygienists should work hand in hand with a licensed dentist. While hygienists can make a diagnosis and prepare diagnostic tests – only a dentist will be able to interpret them.

Dental hygienists are considered as one of the fastest growing careers in the United States because of flexible working conditions and high salaries. You can either work on your own or set up a partnership with a dentist.

You also have the option of working in a private clinic, hospital, health centre or an educational institute. If you plan to be an educator, you will only be considered qualified for the job, if you have a master’s degree.

As a regular practitioner, you need to be associated with a dental doctor or dentist so you can refer your patients for complex oral treatments. You may also choose to seek full time employment in a medical establishment or work part time as a freelance dental hygienist with several dental clinics or hospitals.

Dental hygienists have the benefit of a rewarding career, good salaries and a flexible working pattern. So if these factors are important to you, this just might be the job for you.