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  Dental Hygienists
Summary  |  Description  |  Requirements  |  Salaries  |  Employment  |  Articles  |  Community
  Careers / Dental Hygienists  
     
 
Summary Description
Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.
 
Sample Job Titles

1.

Dental Hygienist

2.

Dental Hygienist, Mobile Coordinator

3.

Dental Nurse

4.

Education Coordinator

5.

Hygienist

 

6.

Implant Coordinator

7.

Oral Hygienist

8.

Pediatric Dental Hygienist

9.

Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)

10.

Registered Dental Hygienist, Part Time Clinical Faculty

 
Job Tasks

Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.

  • Treat dental problems or diseases.

Record and review patient medical histories.

  • Record patient medical histories.

Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.

  • Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures.
  • Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.

Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.

  • Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures.

Expose and develop x-ray film.

  • Process x-rays or other medical images.

Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.

  • Record patient medical histories.

Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.

  • Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
  • Maintain medical equipment or instruments.

Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.

  • Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures.

Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.

  • Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.

Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.

  • Treat dental problems or diseases.

Maintain patient recall system.

Administer local anesthetic agents.

  • Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.

Remove excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth.

  • Treat dental problems or diseases.

Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist.

  • Direct healthcare delivery programs.

Remove sutures and dressings.

  • Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries.

Place and remove rubber dams, matrices, and temporary restorations.

  • Adjust dental devices or appliances to ensure fit.

Make impressions for study casts.

  • Fabricate medical devices.
 
Work Activities
Importance Work Activity
89
Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
88
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
86
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
85
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
76
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
76
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
76
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
75
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
73
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
72
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
71
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
70
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
66
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
64
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
63
Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
63
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
63
Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
62
Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
59
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
55
Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
53
Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
52
Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
51
Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
51
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
48
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
48
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
48
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
45
Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
45
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
45
Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
45
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
44
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
42
Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
37
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
32
Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
 
 
 
Nature of the Work
(Abstract from Career Articles)
Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis, and provide other preventive dental care. They also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health.

Read More >>

 
 
Working Conditions
(Abstract from Career Articles)
Dental Hygienists

In 2014, almost all dental hygienists worked in dentists' offices, and more than half worked part time.

Read More >>

 
 
 
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  Source: MyPlan.com, LLC, 2019; includes information from the O*NET 20.3 database, 2016, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2024 Edition. O*NET™ is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.  
   
Interesting Fact
The U.S. industry expected to experience the greatest decline between 2002 and 2012 is Apparel Manufacturing.
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