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Do you know someone who is thinking about becoming a dental hygienist? Here's some information about the profession.
Who is the dental hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a prevention specialist, oral health educator and clinician who, as a co-therapist with the dentist, provides preventive, educational, and therapeutic services. As technology and preventive treatments continue to develop and expand, dental hygienists are assuming more duties and spending increasing amounts of time with patients during checkups.
What are hygienists' responsibilities?
The day-to-day responsibilities and clinical services a hygienist can perform vary according to individual state regulations. Duties may include:
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Expose, process, and interpret x-rays
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Apply fluorides and sealants to the teeth
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Teach patients proper brushing and flossing techniques
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Clean and remove stains, plaque, and tartar from teeth
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Counsel patients about proper nutrition
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Review patients' health history and dental charting
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Make impressions of patients' teeth for models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs
Where do hygienists work?
Although about 70% work in private dental offices, state licensing enables them to provide direct clinical service to patients or apply oral health knowledge in a number of settings including public health clinics, nursing homes, correctional institutions, and other long-term or managed-care facilities.
What is the employment outlook for dental hygienists?
The services that dental hygienists provide are needed and valued by a large percentage of the population. According to the American Dental Association, there is currently a great demand for dental hygienists and employment opportunities. Dentists will need to employ more dental hygienists to meet the increased demand for dental services due to the public's emphasis on preventive oral care and people retaining their teeth longer.
What do hygienists earn?
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, average annual earnings for dental hygienists were $60,640 in 2004. Dental hygienists may be paid on an hourly, daily, salary or commission basis. |
