Dental Hygienist Job Description

Cleaning teeth, taking X-rays, assisting with dental prosthetics, fi

Aug 2, 2006

One of the fastest growing occupations is that of the dental hygienist and as it offers part-time flexibility and easier schooling and liscencing the options are good.

As the population ages and their demands for health and dental care increase, dentists are offloading many responsibilities for patient education and preventative care to the dental hygienist so that they can spend more time on more complicated matters. Consequently, the demands for dental hygienists make it one of the fastest growing occupations.

Duties

The primary duties of the dental hygienist include cleaning and polishing teeth, instructing patients in good oral hygiene habits and after care for dental treatments rendered, and providing other preventative dental care, and work chairside as needed, with the dentist during examinations and treatments.

Most dentists hire dental hygienists for part time work so a dental hygienist may have more than one employer, or choose to work only 2-3 days per week. Having a flexible work schedule is a perk for many dental hygienists.

Education

A high school diploma (or GED) is required for entrance into a dental hygiene program. Many schools require a year of college as well. in 2004, there were 266 accredited schools for dental hygiene. Most of these grant an associate's degree. A few offer just a certificate. Some offer bachelor's or master's degrees. An associate degree is usually required to work in a dental office, while a higher degree is needed to work in such settings as public school programs, clinics, research facilities or to teach dental hygiene.

Licensure

Licensure is required by all 50 states. **(See comments below. Alabama is the exception to this.)To become licensed, the dental hygienist must complete an accredited program and pass a written as well as clinical examination. The American Dental Association's Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations administers the written exam. States administer the clinical examinations. Most states also require an additional examination on the legal aspects of dental hygiene practice.

The copyright of the article Dental Hygienist Job Description in Health Field is owned by Kathy Quan . Permission to republish Dental Hygienist Job Description in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Apr 25, 2008 1:50 PM

Guest :

Licensure is required by 49 states. Alabama is the one and only state that allows "on the job training" for hygienists.

Apr 27, 2008 2:47 PM

Kathy Quan :

Thank you for this information. You are correct. At the time this article was written, the Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that all 50 states required this, however, according to the 2008 edition of the Occupational Handbook, this is correct.

Sep 11, 2008 10:32 AM

Guest :

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Oct 3, 2008 10:24 AM

Guest :

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