What does being a Dental Hygienist look like?

Hi Evelyn,

A career as a dental hygienist offers a wide range of challenges. In the dental office, the dentist and the dental hygienist work together to meet the oral health needs of patients. Since each state has its own specific regulations regarding their responsibilities, the range of services performed by hygienists varies from state to state. Some of the services provided by dental hygienists may include:

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  patient screening procedures; such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse

  
  


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  taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)

  
  


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  removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth

  
  


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  applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g., sealants and fluorides)

  
  


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  teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;

  
  


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  counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health

  
  


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  making impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs)

  
  


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  performing documentation and office management activities

  
  

Opportunities:

Hygienists are in demand in general dental practices and in specialty practices such as periodontics or pediatric dentistry. They also may be employed to provide dental hygiene services for patients in hospitals, nursing homes and public health clinics.

Depending upon the level of education and experience achieved, dental hygienists can apply their skills and knowledge to other career activities such as teaching hygiene students in dental schools and dental hygiene education programs. Research, office management and business administration are other career options. Employment opportunities also may be available with companies that market dental-related materials and equipment.

Read more in: http://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/careers-in-dentistry/dental-team-careers/dental-hygienist

Good luck!

Most dental hygienist work in a clinical setting, meaning they work in dental offices and sometimes they work in hospitals. There are also mobile dental hygienist that visit patients in nursing homes. However, not all dental hygienists work in a clinical setting. Some work in sales for various corporations, some are professors, researchers, some work in administration, and others in public health.
I would say that the hours are fairly flexible depending on where you work. I haven't worked any hours out of the ordinary. I've found that hours for dental offices are usually range from 7am- 7pm Monday-Friday and some Saturdays 7am-4pm. It just depends on the area and where you work.

http://www.rdhmag.com/articles/print/volume-30/issue-6/features/employment-opportunities.html