What is a Dental Hygienist?
Dental Hygienists function as preventive hygiene for teeth. It’s their job to make sure patients’ teeth stay clean, as well as disease and plaque free. Cleaning the teeth prevents more serious dental problems, such as cavities or gingivitis.
Dental Hygienists take on many responsibilities. Some of them include fluoride rinses, studying the gums and upper areas of the teeth for bacteria or disease, and x-rays. Characteristics of a dental hygienist’s career can and will include intense observation of the teeth and mouth, use and knowledge of various cleaning tools, careful and safe use of the hands, and demanding work hours.
Dental Hygienist Education
When it comes to high school, students preparing for a career in dental hygiene should consider volunteering at a medical center or other sources of dental clinics, as well as enrolling in many biology, math, and chemistry classes. Students can also enhance their future in dental hygiene by enrolling in communication, public speaking, or foreign language classes.
In college, a major in dental hygiene will train students to study, determine, and treat diseases, injuries, and decay of the teeth or mouth. Students will also learn how to raise awareness about dental health to their patients. Students majoring in the field will find themselves taking classes such as radiography, physiology, microbiology, dental anatomy, pharmacology, preventive dentistry, nutrition, and many more.
Due to the demand for many prerequisites, it make take more than 2 years to complete an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. A state license is earned after passing an official exam.