Dental Hygienist

The profile of the dental care specialist or dental hygienist is very interesting. The professional works full time to improve upon ‘face value’! Armed with a degree and a State license, the dental hygienist’s job is among the fastest growing medical jobs. People the world over are not only becoming more aware of the presence of this professional, but also vying for his very lucrative part time job.

Job profile:

A dental hygienist enjoys a very flexible work environment. This is not only the most distinctive feature of the job, but also the most luring. The main task at hand for a dental hygienist is to remove deposits like in teeth bleaching. They also bear the responsibility of educating their patients on good dental health. Many of these professionals even provide elaborate dental care. This professional is expected to examine the teeth and gums of patients, with the aim of identifying disease or any kind of gum diseases or abnormality. This aspect of the job helps the dental hygienist to begin treatment in time.

On the couch:

The dental hygienist uses a number of specially sculpted surgical tools for various tasks. Among the many instruments are:

• Hand instruments that are rotary in application
• Ultrasonic devices to polish teeth when applying
• Teeth whitening methods and treat plaque
• X-ray machines for detailed dental pictures
• Teeth models to explain oral hygiene
• Gum models to explain and perform root planning
• Mouth models to explain the usage of cavity-preventative agents
• Syringes to administer anesthesia

The hygienist is equipped and trained to carve teeth filling material and periodontal dressings. He is also responsible for removing sutures. He is expected to accurately remove polish metal restorations and file the resultant unevenness. Along with helping the patients to maintain good oral health, the professional is also responsible to suggest a suitable balanced diet.

Off the couch:

Dental hygienists take on the task of extending advice on oral health beyond their patients. They use the rostrums of symposiums on health and wellness to advice patients on how to select toothbrushes that are designed to prevent tooth decay and the correct way of using dental floss. The dental hygienist prepares clinical charts and conducts laboratory diagnostic tests. These professionals work alongside regular dentists and those who offer cosmetic dentistry.

Work environment:

Dental hygienists are expected to work within clean, sterile and well-lighted offices. They have to follow important health safeguards. These include proper execution of radiological procedures and the application of adequate protection, especially when using anesthesia. These professionals are expected to wear surgical glasses, masks and gloves, when dealing with patients.

Professional flexibility:

The dental hygienist enjoys a very flexible work environment. He could either choose a roster that allows him full-time or part-time employment or design one himself. This professional even enjoys the flexibility of adopting only evening or weekend schedules. There are many medical facilities that enable the dental hygienist to work for a specific number of days a week. This further enables the professional to be a part of more than one dental office or hospital facility.

Education and the available exposure:

The dental hygienist is in demand, especially if he or she is licensed from an accredited dental hygiene school. There are special licensure examinations that follow the preliminary education and training. These accreditations allow the professional to be absorbed by some of the best medical facilities in the world. At the very base, it is a recognized diploma and college entrance test score that enables an enthusiast to secure admission in a dental hygiene program. The professional is expected to have offered subjects like biology, chemistry and mathematics at degree level. Another compulsory requirement is that of at least 1 year of college. Dental hygienists have to be licensed by the State. In order to get the right kind of standing within the medical fraternity after completion of basic education, they are expected to secure accreditation from the Dental Association’s Joint Commission.

Available resources:

There are a number of resources dedicated to the cause of making information available to students striving to become dental hygienists. These resources not only list, but also make available details on the various entrance requirements, dental hygiene programs and updated communication from the Commission on Dental Accreditation. There are on and off campus programs held regularly to guide those planning on securing associate degrees and a master’s degree. The accredited workshops in dental hygiene are designed to give the professionals hands on experience on the application of latest research and clinical practice. Dental hygienists held about 167,000 jobs in the year 2006; and because multiple job holding is common in this field, the number of jobs exceeds the number of hygienists. Almost all dental hygienists functioned from the offices of dentists. A very small number worked for employment services or the offices of physicians. Dental hygienists have excellent job prospects and earn nothing below $41.60 per hour! Of course, the earnings would be subject to location, experience and contract.