Hourly Rates up to | Jobs Available |
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$66 | 17,200+ |
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do: Job Description & Career Information
Responsibilities
- Review patient history
- Clean patients’ teeth by removing stains, calculus (tartar) and plaque (the hard and soft deposits) from all teeth surfaces
- Apply protective substances to the teeth such as sealants and fluorides
- Take and interpret dental X-rays
- Teach patients good oral hygiene strategies, such as flossing
- Conduct gingivitis and oral cancer screenings
- Counsel patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health
- Make impressions of patients' teeth
- Document patients' treatment plans
How To Become a Dental Hygienist: FAQs
The bottom line:
This in-demand, high-paying job is a good opportunity. It takes a special person to be the dental hygienist that patients request time and time again. If you think you have the qualities and the drive, check out the dental hygienist training options on SkillPointe.
What is it like to be a dental hygienist?
Antonia Lemons enjoys seeing people smile — especially when her work as a dental hygienist helps make that smile sparkle.
The job is so much more than that, of course, and that’s what she likes about it.
“It’s important to make the patient feel safe, comfortable and glad they came to the office,” she says.
She’s got more to say about why being a dental hygienist is such a great job.
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