What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
Along with the dentist, the dental hygienist is a healthcare professional that is able to offer services after obtaining the proper licensing or credentials from the appropriate jurisdiction. In most cases, dental hygienists will work as part of a team located at a dentist’s office, performing certain tasks that involve direct patient care. Here are some examples of the types of duties that may be performed by a licensed dental hygienist. It is important to note that a dental hygienist has to obtain formal training and education before it is possible to be licensed. Generally, most jurisdictions require at least a two year degree on dental hygiene, as well as a number of science related courses as part of the program. Generally, a hygienist will have taken courses that provide background in oral anatomy, pharmacology, nutrition, and periodontology. Advanced education, involving four to six years of study, is growing in popularity. With advanced training, the dental hygienist is able to
