Dental Hygienists
The primary function of dental hygienists could be said to be teeth cleaning, which involves the removal of hard and soft deposits on the teeth. However, their role in the health care team extends to assessment and patient education as well.
Duties, Activities, and Scope of Practice
Duties can vary by state as defined by each state's “practice act” for dental hygienists. A practice act is the set of laws as determined by each state to protect the public by regulating who can be a dental hygienist. The practice act also sets requirements for education and licensure, and can include disciplinary procedures for those who violate the practice act. Beyond cleaning teeth, in some states hygienists are allowed to take impressions for making appliances and teeth. Some hygienists can also place temporary fillings and polish existing fillings and other restorations.
Question
Do dental hygienists always work with dentists?
In most instances, dental hygienists work under the supervision of the dentist. However, they can also work independently, as they often do in facilities such as skilled-nursing homes and hospitals.
Hygienists apply fluorides and sealants for preventative care; they assess for mouth and gum problems, such as gingivitis and oral cancers, and notify the dentist. They educate patients about appropriate oral care, including brushing and flossing, and about a proper diet to help maintain a healthy mouth. They counsel patients about the hazards of smoking and dipping tobacco as well as other harmful habits. Hygienists take x-rays and perform chair-side assistance to dentists during procedures.
Education and Training
Many dental hygiene schools require at least one year of college for admission. Accredited schools bestow an associate's degree on graduates, and this is adequate to work in private practice. A bachelor's degree from an accredited school is required to work in public health or a public school program. To teach or to work in research, a master's degree is required.
Dental hygiene programs include classroom and laboratory study of chemistry, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, oral anatomy and pathology, radiography, histology, pharmacology, dental materials, periodontology, and nutrition. The second portion of the program includes supervised clinical practice.
Licensure/Certification
All states and the District of Columbia require dental hygienists to be licensed. This requires completion of an accredited program and successfully passing written and clinical exams. The written exam is administered by the American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and is accepted by all states. The clinical portion is administered by state or regional testing agencies. Most states also require an exam on the legal practices of dental hygiene.
Work Settings and Salaries
More than half of all dental hygienists work part-time (less than thirty-five hours per week). The U.S. Department of Labor reports that there were 158,000 jobs for dental hygienists in 2004. Since dentists usually hire hygienists to work only two to three days per week, many hygienists hold more than one job. They may work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of the patients. Almost all hygienists work in dentists' offices. There is a growing need for hygienists who will work in nursing care facilities, senior housing, and hospitals.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the mean hourly salary for dental hygienists in 2004 was $28.05. Salaries were reported to vary from $18.05 to $40.70 per hour. Benefits varied from one employer to another, because most hygienists work part-time. (The ADA reports that 9 out of 10 have dental coverage.)
Career Potential and Additional Information
The potential for careers in this area is expected to grow faster than for the average occupation due to the aging population who will require more dental care. The effectiveness of fluorides and other sealants, as well as improved preventative dental education, has resulted in the retention of natural teeth, which will require more care.
If you would like more information on a career in dental hygiene, contact the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA). Their Web site is
