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What does a typical day as a dental hygienist look like?
#dental-hygienist #dentistry #dental #dentist
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Christine’s Answer
Brandy,
Thanks for the question! A workday of a dental hygienist is very busy. I arrive early at the dental office. I change into my scrubs and prepare my operatory for my first patient. I stock supplies and review my schedule along with the patient charts. The dental office protocol has changed with Covid-19 (increased infection control procedures, etc.). Patients are screened for any Covid-19 symptoms before entering the office. When the patient is seated in the dental chair, I review their medical history and any dental concerns. Patients may need dental x-rays. I take the needed x-rays and let the dentist know of any patient concerns. I begin the dental cleaning. We have dental instruments including hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers to remove the deposits from the teeth. I also polish the teeth and paint fluoride varnish on the teeth at the end of the appointment. I do a charting of the patients gum health (periodontal charting). I review the patients home care and make suggestions for better oral health. Patients may have dry mouth. I review over-the-counter products to help the patient. The dentist comes and does the dental exam. I chart the treatment notes and any treatment that needs to be done on the computer. I make any necessary appointments including when the patient needs to come back for their next recall exam in 6 months. I clean the operatory and set-up clean sterilized instruments for the next patient. The process is repeated for the next patient. I usually see 8 patients a day. This is a brief explanation. Hope it helps. Good luck! Christine
Thanks for the question! A workday of a dental hygienist is very busy. I arrive early at the dental office. I change into my scrubs and prepare my operatory for my first patient. I stock supplies and review my schedule along with the patient charts. The dental office protocol has changed with Covid-19 (increased infection control procedures, etc.). Patients are screened for any Covid-19 symptoms before entering the office. When the patient is seated in the dental chair, I review their medical history and any dental concerns. Patients may need dental x-rays. I take the needed x-rays and let the dentist know of any patient concerns. I begin the dental cleaning. We have dental instruments including hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers to remove the deposits from the teeth. I also polish the teeth and paint fluoride varnish on the teeth at the end of the appointment. I do a charting of the patients gum health (periodontal charting). I review the patients home care and make suggestions for better oral health. Patients may have dry mouth. I review over-the-counter products to help the patient. The dentist comes and does the dental exam. I chart the treatment notes and any treatment that needs to be done on the computer. I make any necessary appointments including when the patient needs to come back for their next recall exam in 6 months. I clean the operatory and set-up clean sterilized instruments for the next patient. The process is repeated for the next patient. I usually see 8 patients a day. This is a brief explanation. Hope it helps. Good luck! Christine
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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 exam, the teeth are cleaned and all findings are charted. 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 exam, the teeth are cleaned and all findings are charted. 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 :)