Some consider the dental hygienist as just a maintenance assistant in the dental office, but the position is an important one. A primary duty of the dental assistant is to prepare teeth so the dentist can better treat the patient.
This is an important part of dental care, and provides a healthy condition after dental work is performed.
Dental Patient Education
One of the most important parts of the assistant position is to educate patients on how to maintain their teeth to reduce the amount of corrective dental work they will need. This includes pointing out why their teeth may be in a condition necessitating the need for dental work and what they can do to prevent extensive dental work in the future.
The dental assistant works for private practices in most cases, but openings are often available in clinics, dental schools, hospitals, and research facilities. The scope of work of the dental hygienist has much to do with the state in which the dental services are performed.
Job Duties for the Dental Hygienist
Expanded roles for dental hygienists in some states include:
* Giving anesthetics to patients
* Polishing and smoothing metal restorations
* Removing or placing filling materials, including temporary ones
* Preparation of diagnostic and laboratory tests for dentist evaluation
In most states, the hygienist is responsible for:
* Assembling information and past history from patients
* Giving a close examination to identify current problems and checking for any potential problems or abnormal dental situations
* Making dental molds for evaluation purposes
* Taking and reading dental x-rays
* Teaching good dental health procedures to patients
* Placing preventative sealants or fluoride on teeth
* Cleaning the teeth of plaque, tartar, and stains
Dental Hygienist Education Requirements
An associate's degree is sufficient for many of these dental positions and can be acquired at most technical or community colleges. A four-year degree from an accredited college for dental hygiene is another option, which can lead to a bachelor's degree. The bachelor degree curriculum has more instruction in the humanities and covers courses for nutrition, sociology, psychology, English, and speech, among others.
After graduation, applicants must still pass a written and clinical state examination for the state in which they practice. Most states require passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination along with the state exam.
As you can see, the dental hygienist is more than just a smiling face to greet you at the dentist's office. The importance of the position makes it critical to the success of a dental practice.
Comments