What is a Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a licensed primary oral health care professional. The dental hygienist is a clinician, oral health educator, health promoter, consumer advocate, administrator, and researcher. The goal of dental hygiene is to assist individuals in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.
A wide range of settings is available for the practice of a dental hygienist, such as private dental offices, community clinics, hospitals, chronic care facilities, public health departments, educational institutions and research.
Dental hygienists are regulated by national and state legislation. The license of a dental hygienist includes college education with degree(s), as well as specific national and state board examinations in order to obtain a license and to maintain a current license to practice. Generally the responsibilities of a dental hygiene clinician include the development, implementation and evaluation of a dental hygiene plan of care based on the client's needs.
I. Assessment
- Examining, assessing and documenting oral conditions including those of the head and neck region through the use of clinical measurements, radiographs and other assessment methods.
II. Planning
- Development of individualized oral hygiene programs for home care
- Development of a professional dental hygiene plan of care to meet the client's needs
- Diet analysis and counseling for dental caries control and prevention
- Educating clients, the general public and special population groups (e.g. seniors, new parents, minority groups, handicapped persons) regarding oral health
- Planning and conducting oral health programs in the community
III. Implementation
- Non-surgical periodontal therapy by removing disease-related deposits (plaque and calculus) on the tooth and root surfaces, and cosmetic removal of tooth stains
- Applying decay preventing agents such as fluoride and sealants.
IV. Evaluation
- Evaluating the success of a prescribed at-home-care oral hygiene program
- Evaluating the dental hygiene plan of care and the client's satisfaction with it
In some states, dental hygienists are licensed to place and finish fillings, administer local anesthetic ("numbing" injections), administer nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), recement crowns ("caps") temporarily, and work under the general supervision of a dentist or independently.
The role of the dental hygienist is continuously changing to meet the oral health and wellness needs of society by providing the highest quality oral health care through collaboration with other health care professionals and the general public.
This site is intended as general information only and should not replace regular consultation with your dental hygienist and dentist.
