2 answers
Makenzie
Student
Summerville, South Carolina
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Question
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What is the day in the life of a dental hygienist?
#dental-hygienist #dentistry #dentist
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2 answers
David Lee
Actuary
52
Answers
Los Angeles, California
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David’s Answer
Based on what I see when I go to the dentist's office, you see patients before or after the dentist examines them. Look at teeth x-rays, poke at gums to diagnose gum disease, and do a cleaning--scrape tartar, floss, polish. There is probably some time spent preparing the workspace with clean tools and supplies, and some paperwork. Do the same for patient after patient.
But I'm not a hygienist.
But I'm not a hygienist.
Krystal Q.
Dental Hygienist
11
Answers
Updated
Krystal’s Answer
Hello!
This is a great question, as a hygienist my day starts off with me arriving in the office 20 minutes before my first patient to set up my room and look through all the patient files for the day.
While looking through each patients file I make sure to make notes like “needs a filling”, “update X-rays” or “ask about new osteoporosis medication”, etc. After this is done, we have a team huddle and everyone goes through their schedule and shares with the rest of the team any notes that need to be addressed (for example since I tell my team that a patient needs a filling then the receptionist will make sure that is scheduled before they leave).
After morning huddle the patients are checked in and seen for their appointment. In between each patient the room is disinfected and notes about the appointment need to be documented. Every office is different, but my office does 1 hour for a regular cleaning. During this hour the medical history is updated, an oral health screening is done the dentist comes in to do their check and the teeth are cleaned. At the end of the appointment I always go through oral hygiene instruction tips and go over what I saw in the mouth and ways they can make improvements. After the last patient is seen the room is cleaned and I double check + sign my notes and I’m done for the day! I hope this was helpful :)
This is a great question, as a hygienist my day starts off with me arriving in the office 20 minutes before my first patient to set up my room and look through all the patient files for the day.
While looking through each patients file I make sure to make notes like “needs a filling”, “update X-rays” or “ask about new osteoporosis medication”, etc. After this is done, we have a team huddle and everyone goes through their schedule and shares with the rest of the team any notes that need to be addressed (for example since I tell my team that a patient needs a filling then the receptionist will make sure that is scheduled before they leave).
After morning huddle the patients are checked in and seen for their appointment. In between each patient the room is disinfected and notes about the appointment need to be documented. Every office is different, but my office does 1 hour for a regular cleaning. During this hour the medical history is updated, an oral health screening is done the dentist comes in to do their check and the teeth are cleaned. At the end of the appointment I always go through oral hygiene instruction tips and go over what I saw in the mouth and ways they can make improvements. After the last patient is seen the room is cleaned and I double check + sign my notes and I’m done for the day! I hope this was helpful :)