Job Description: Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist Job Duties | Dental Hygienist Schools | Dental Hygienist Salary | Dental Hygienist Pros and Cons

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES OF A DENTAL HYGIENIST

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The dental hygienist profession as part of the healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. The dental hygienist performs duties related to assisting the dentist in specialized clinical tasks as well as in other related areas. Across the country, each state has its own regulations for this position so the job description can be as varied as state laws permit.

A dental hygienist will find him or herself in demand in general dental practices as well as in specialty practices like pediatric dentistry or periodontics.  A dental hygienist may be employed in a variety of healthcare services for patients in public health clinics, nursing homes and hospitals. A dental hygienist is in a position to apply knowledge and skills based on the person’s level of education and practical experience in other career activities like teaching oral hygiene in education programs and to students in dental schools. A dental hygienist has the option to move into the dental research field or into the private sector, to join a company manufacturing or marketing dental equipment and other related materials.

What Are The Job Duties Of A Dental Hygienist

· A dental hygienist performs patient care duties including the removal of soft and hard deposits like calculus and plaque from teeth surfaces
· Provide preventive dental care
· Provide patients with advice on practicing good oral hygiene, nutritional counseling on the relationship between good diet and oral health; instruction on strategies to maintain good oral health including selection of the right type of toothbrushes and correct brushing and flossing procedures
· Examine patient's teeth and gums, record the presence of abnormalities and/ or diseases, make assessments of oral health conditions
· Review patient's health history, inspect patient's head and neck in relation to oral health
· Work with various equipments to perform oral care including hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonic devices to clean teeth, and remove plaque and stains
· Take and develop X-rays (dental radiographs) of the patient's teeth, gums and mouth
· Make impressions of patient's teeth for study and evaluation of the patient's treatment needs; make teeth for crowns and prosthetics purposes
· Use of oral models to inform patients about oral hygiene
· Perform root planning as part of periodontal therapy
· Apply cavity preventive agents like fissure, pit and fluoride sealants
· Administer anesthetics in accordance with state laws, which may sometimes be in the form of an injection
· Prepare various filling materials like temporary fillings; remove sutures; change periodontal dressings; smooth and polish metal restorations
· Make patient diagnosis; prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist's review and analysis
· Support the dentist chair-side during treatment procedures
· Prepare dental charting
· Take patient's vital statistics like blood pressure and pulse readings
· Perform document management activities like maintain patient records and updating them after each patient visit
· Office management activities including scheduling appointments
· Patient care duties include handling crisis situations, providing advice and assistance on patient queries
· In a small dental clinic, a dental hygienist may perform office assistant duties or laboratory technician duties

What Type of Degree is Needed To Be A Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is a licensed oral health professional, who is certified to carry out dental procedures, counsel patients and provide care and protection for teeth and gums. A dental hygienist focuses on the prevention and treatment of oral diseases, after reviewing the total health history of the patient. A dental hygienist will require licensure for the state he or she plans to work in.

Licensure in most any state in the U.S. requires the individual to graduate from one of the accredited dental hygienist schools, passing written and clinical examinations. The American Dental Association's Joint Commission administers certification and licensure on National Dental Examinations. These certifications and licensures are accepted in every state in America. Individual states may also have dental hygienist local exam boards offering qualifications that are relevant to a specific state.

A career as a dental hygienist begins with acquiring a high school diploma, followed by a collage entrance, the test scores are necessary for admission to dental hygienist schools. Specific entrance qualifications will vary depending on the dental hygienist schools the person applies to. Most dental hygienist programs grant associate degrees, others offer certificates, bachelor's degrees and master's degrees. A bachelor's degree or certificate is needed for a dental hygienist to practice the profession. A dental hygienist will require a bachelor's or master's degree to work in research, teaching and clinical practice in public school programs.

What Is The Salary Of A Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is in a good position to earn high wages and enjoy job security. The actual amount earned by a dental hygienist is influenced by various factors including educational achievements, years of on-the-job experience, type of employer and location of the employer's dental health facility.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has stated that the dental hygienist occupation outlook is favorable, but competition is to be expected. The forecast is for growth of 36 percent by 2018 at which time the number of dental hygienist jobs are expected to almost double to reach 237,000 from 174,100 in 2008. The increased demand for dental care and the need to employ more dental hygienists has led to this occupation becoming one of the fastest growing across the country.

The average hourly rate for a dental hygienist ranges between $17 and $41; the hourly overtime rate for a dental hygienist ranges between $16 and $48. National annualized data shows that the bonus for a dental hygienist ranges between $100 and $3000. A small percentage of dental hygienists will enjoy a profit sharing of $490 to $4,850. Overall annual pay scales range between $31,750 and $84,100 for a dental hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Wages

Wage earning potential for a dental hygienist will vary, based on skills, knowledge, experience, location and facility. The median annual wage for a dental hygienist in 2008 was $66,570. The middle 50 percent of dental hygienists employed, earned between $55,200 and $78,990. At the high end of the pay scale, a dental hygienist has the earning potential of $91,470 and at the low end of the scale a dental hygienist can earn less than $44,180 a year. The American Dental Hygienist Association conducted a survey in 2009, showing that approximately 50 percent of dental hygienists received employment benefits including retirement plans, sick leave and paid vacation.

(Figures are approximate and have been rounded off to the nearest full number)

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being A Dental Hygienist

There are several advantages to becoming a dental hygienist including:

· The role of a dental hygienist enjoys variety in terms of interpersonal and clinical skills employed in meeting oral health needs of a wide range of patients daily. People groups can range from toddlers to the elderly and disabled.
· Personal satisfaction is a key advantage in the dental hygienist occupation. This satisfaction stems from working with people and self-fulfillment from providing valuable dental care services.
· The dental hygienist occupation is a prestigious one borne out of the education and clinical training acquired in a highly skilled discipline.
· A dental hygienist is a valuable member of the oral heath care team
· The career options for a dental hygienist offer flexibility in full time or part time employment. A dental hygienist can achieve a balance in personal and professional life
· The dental hygienist career choice provides opportunities for work in various settings from private dental practice to educational institutions, public healthcare facilities, research teams, dental corporations and community institutions.
· Job security is one of the most important aspects of any career, and a career as a dental hygienist affords a high level of security. It is a career in demand as testified to by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
· Earning potential is very high for a dental hygienist because of the demand for this profession

The downside to becoming a dental hygienist includes:

· Health risk related to a dental hygienist role may include postural problems, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the repetitive hand motions the job demands
· Other risks related to a dental hygienist role include exposure to bodily fluids like blood and saliva on a daily basis, increasing the possibility of infection.