The Dental Hygiene Profession

Dental hygienists examine patients' teeth and oral tissues, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; take and develop x-rays; educate patients about diseases that affect the oral cavity and periodontium and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants.

Although dental hygienists may not diagnose diseases, they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret.

Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health by explaining the relationship between diet and oral health and the link between oral health and such serious conditions as heart disease and strokes.

Dental hygienists must be licensed by the state in which they practice. To qualify for licensure, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and a clinical exam. In addition, most states require an examination on legal aspects of dental hygiene practice.

An associate degree is sufficient for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor's degree or master's degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.

Dental hygienists should work well with others and must have good manual dexterity because they use dental instruments within a patient's mouth with little room for error.

Employment Outlook

Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2010, in response to increasing demand for dental care and the greater substitution of the services of hygienists for those previously performed by dentists.

Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth will stimulate demand for dental hygienists.