Dental Hygienist Site

Becoming a dental hygienist may be one of the most important endeavors of your life. This career, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, will be one of the fastest growing occupations, slated to grow a whopping 36 percent by the year 2018. Moreover, dental hygienists enjoy excellent salaries with an average annual income that is in the range $50,000.

But, in order to reap the benefits of such a lucrative profession, one must first learn how to become a dental hygienist—and then take the necessary steps needed to fulfill achieve this career dream. This article will show you how to do that.

Educational Requirements for Dental Hygienists

Successful completion of an accredited dental hygienist program is the usual requirement for entering this career field. But, in order to be accepted into such a program, one must have a high school degree and have submitted college entrance test scores to the institution.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 301 dental hygienist programs—accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation—in the United States. Most of these programs offer associate’s degrees upon successful completion of their programs. However, some programs offer certificate, bachelor, and even master’s degrees.

Some of the subjects studied in a dental hygienist program include:

• Pharmacology
• Nutrition
• Histology
• Pathology
• Chemistry
• Periodontology (gum disease)
• Radiography
• Dental hygiene
• Anatomy
• Microbiology

…and many more. These subjects are taught by a combination of laboratory, clinical, and classroom settings to enhance the learning and experiential potential of the students.

Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. They examine patients’ teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities.

Dental hygienists use an assortment of tools to complete their tasks. Hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonic devices are used to clean and polish teeth, which includes removing tartar, stains, and plaque. Hygienists use x-ray machines to take dental pictures, and sometimes develop the film. They may use models of teeth to explain oral hygiene, perform root planning as a periodontal therapy, or apply cavity-preventative agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants.

Other tasks hygienists may perform vary by State. In some States, hygienists are allowed to administer anesthetics, while in others they administer local anesthetics using syringes. Some States also allow hygienists to place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations.

Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health or inform patients how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their teeth.

Hygienists sometimes make a diagnosis and other times prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists sometimes work chair-side with the dentist during treatment.

Work environment. Dental hygienists work in clean, well-lighted offices. Important health safeguards include strict adherence to proper radiological procedures and the use of appropriate protective devices when administering anesthetic gas. Dental hygienists also wear safety glasses, surgical masks, and gloves to protect themselves and patients from infectious diseases. Dental hygienists also should be careful to avoid possible shoulder and neck injury from sitting for long periods of time while working with patients.

Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. Full-time, part-time, evening, and weekend schedules are common. Dentists frequently hire hygienists to work only 2 or 3 days a week, so hygienists may hold jobs in more than one dental office. In 2008, about half of all dental hygienists worked part time—less than 35 hours a week.