The Dental Hygiene Profession

Most people have a negative view of the oral health care profession simply because they have no desire to work in a person's mouth. However, dental hygienists perform a wide range of services and ultimately play a large role in the care of society's oral health. My wife is a dental hygienist and she takes pride in working with people to improve their overall state of health. This article discusses the daily duties and responsibilities involved with the dental hygiene profession.

What does a dental hygienist do?

Before you pursue the field it's important for you to understand exactly what a dental hygienist does each and every day. Contrary to popular belief, a dental hygienist does much more than cleaning teeth. They perform a wide range of services including taking dental x-rays, collecting information about a patient's medical health history, teaching patient's about proper oral hygiene, and making molds. Also, in some states the responsibilities expand to include laboratory diagnostic testing and assisting with fillings. However, in addition to these duties is the one they're most known for and that's the cleaning of teeth. A dental hygienist examines teeth and gums and removes calculus, stain and plague from all surfaces by using a process known as "scaling." Also, the hygienist will examine other parts of the upper body to identity any potential health problems such as cancer, etc. When they're done with "scaling" and removing calculus, they apply materials such as fluoride to prevent future buildup.

What is the work environment like?

Dental offices across the world range in size and style tremendously. With that said, the majority of hygienists work in a private dental office. Often times, hygienists are given their own room to screen and work on patients. The hygienist works closely with the on-site dentist and can offer limited dental assisting experience if it is needed. A dental hygienist works at their own pace on a one to one basis with the patient.

What does it take to become a dental hygienist?

The number one quality that is important in dental hygiene, according to my wife, is paying great attention to detail. A dental hygienist must be very observant and note potential oral and health problems with each patient. If they make one minor mistake or overlook an infection or buildup of calculus it can lead to more serious problems. Every patient has a different level of oral healthcare and a hygienist must be on their toes each and every time a new patient steps into the room.

Other qualities that are important in the profession are the ability to communicate and work well with others. A dental hygienist must have a pleasant bedside manner and make the patient feel comfortable at all times. The hygienist must be able to communicate and ask questions to the patient that may determine how he or she treats them. Also, a hygienist must have great manual dexterity and able to minimize and control the movement of their body.

What is the work week like?

Perhaps the most rewarding part of being a dental hygienist is having a flexible schedule. Because most dentists only schedule hygienists for 2 or 3 days a week, they are required to find work in additional offices in order to make a full-time position. Most dental hygienists work part-time and tend to work approximately thirty hours per week. If you are a mother and you need to take care of your child, but you could use the extra income then this is the perfect job for you.

What does a dental hygienist earn per year?

The salaries range tremendously from state to state. There are a number of factors that contribute to a dental hygienist's income, such as experience and geographic location. However, to give you a better idea I will mention that most hygienists make between $20.00-$29.00 per hour. Although, it's quite normal for a very experienced hygienist to earn up to $35.00 per hour.

The benefits are great, too. Of course, each office has its own standard list of benefits, but most private firms offer benefits such as insurance coverage. Most full-time hygienists receive paid vacation time. Also, I could probably imagine that most get some pretty decent dental benefits, too!

If you're thinking about pursuing the dental hygiene field then it's important to do the research and make sure it's right for you. There is a considerable amount of education and training you must go through before you start. If you're curious about the education involved then please see my article entitled, "Requirements to Become a Dental Hygienist." Good luck!