Most of us think that a quick brush once or twice a day, along with an occasional work-out with the old dental floss, will keep our teeth in tip-top condition. Good dentists, and dental hygienists, know better. If you want to keep your teeth for as long as possible, you need to keep them clean. And visit a hygienist regularly.
Good hygienists are not a dime a dozen, they are a rare breed who really care about teeth. Many people (mistakenly) assume they are just people who didn’t want to shell out all the time, energy and cash to finish dental school. Actually, becoming a dental hygienist requires finishing an accredited dental hygiene program of at least two years’ duration and pass several state and national exams. Some finish a four-year Bachelor’s of Science program in Dental Hygiene, which includes courses in oral anatomy and hygiene theory.
Teaching good dental hygiene is an art in itself, and doing it properly is not something to be sneezed at (especially not when your hygienist is looking in your mouth). Look for one who has RDH, or Registered dental Hygienist, after their name, as a stamp of quality and training. That means her or she (usually she) is a licensed oral health professional, and has the skills and background required to work on your smile.
Duties of a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists do a lot more than teach little kids how to brush. While dentists diagnosis and treat problems of the teeth, it’s up to the hygienist to ensure they stay in good repair. After all, why pay thousands of dollars on dental work, only to let your pearly whites turn yellow and rot into little stumps? To make sure we keep our teeth in sparkling condition, hygienists can:
Examine both teeth and gums. Also take x-rays and make an assessment of the gums (periodontal)
Keep record of any diseases, abnormalities etc. The diagnosis of any condition normally must be done by the dentist
Clean teeth, removing both hard and soft deposits of plaque, calculus (tartar) etc
Apply agents that will help to act as a sealant and/or prevent cavities and decay
Administer local anesthesia (in some states dental hygienists are also qualified to apply other types of anesthetics)
Teach the basics of good oral hygiene and how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease – oral health promotion as well as protection strategies. This can also include the introduction and maintenance of quit smoking programs, as well as the importance of good nutrition for strong teeth and gums
Remember that every individual state has its own licensing agreements concerning what a dental hygienist can do. He or she will work in tandem with the dentist, but the exact responsibilities are, at least partly, dependent on state regulation.
Tools Used
Dental hygienists, obviously, rely on a variety of tools to get the job done properly. Because most of the tools are small, hygienists must be adept at working with their hands. As technology advances so do the types of tools used, here are the basics:
Hand and rotary instruments. Used to clean teeth
Ultrasonic devices. Also used to clean, polish and remove stains
Teeth models. To show patients how to clean better, perform root canal therapy or apply certain cleaning agents and sealants
Anesthetic devices such as syringes etc. To apply local anesthesia
Dental Hygienist Overview
If the thought of sticking your hands into someone’ else’s decaying mouth makes you want to gag, think again. Government findings from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics say that dental hygiene is a growing profession, and is expected to grow a whopping 30 percent until 2016. In part, that’s because as older dentists who didn’t employ hygienists retire, younger dentists who do are taking their place.
The growth is also because dentists want to concentrate on other, perhaps more lucrative, procedures, allowing their hygienists to do more and more. Because of these procedures, however, more and more people are keeping their natural teeth longer, instead of relying on dentures. That also is contributing to the demand for proper dental maintenance and protection, making dental hygiene one of the fastest-growing professions.
Don’t confuse a dental hygienist with a dental assistant, however, as only the former is licensed to carry out the specific clinical tasks mentioned above. Dental assistants concentrate more on preparing instruments for use, performing lab duties (in some cases) and doing some basic-hands-on work, as instructed by the dentist. They can only work under close supervision, and get paid less than hygienists on the whole.
So next time you visit a dentist – or a hygienist – take the time to appreciate the varied training that each specialty involves. In particular, pay attention to what the hygienist tells you, and start brushing properly and flossing regularly and following the hygienist’s instructions to the letter. You only have one set of natural teeth – try to keep them for as long as you can.
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Depending on where you went to school, you can sometimes get advanced placement credit for your dental assisting education.
i found some additional info for you at http://www.bls.gov.
Hope it helps.
Education and training. A high school diploma and college entrance test scores are usually required for admission to a dental hygiene program. High school students interested in becoming a dental hygienist should take courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Also, some dental hygiene programs require applicants to have completed at least 1 year of college. Specific entrance requirements vary from one school to another.
In 2006, there were 286 dental hygiene programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree, although some also offer a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. A minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Schools offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, radiography, histology (the study of tissue structure), periodontology (the study of gum diseases), pathology, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences
THERE ARE ALWAYS LOCAL DENTISTS ADVERTISING THAT THEY NEED A HYGIENIST TO WORK FOR THEM.
HYGIENE IS ABOUT 33% OF A DENTAL PRACTICE SO THERE IS ALWAYS A NEED FOR CAPABLE PERSONEL.
I have experienced this in my hygiene career and sometimes it is a careless dentist (or other staff member) and sometimes it is an honest mistake. A couple of ways I have handled this are –
1. said nothing that would alert the patient and handed them a new pair of gloves prior to them getting into the mouth
2. asked them if I could speak to them for a minute outside the room and let them know
3. just made eye contact with the Dr. and pointed to the gloves on their hands to jog their memory
4. held out the box of gloves at them
(I have attempted to do all of these behind the patients head or at least out of the line of site, because who wants to be shown their wrong in front of the patient or staff)
If you think it is a ongoing problem and you feel that the dentist will get upset or be offended, you might opt to hold onto the mirror and explorer (so they can't do the exam) until you see they have changed their gloves and if they haven't, hand them gloves first and then the instruments.Or maybe leave a new set of gloves on top of the instruments on the tray so they can't get to the instruments without seeing them.
If this is a constant obvious problem and their are copious amounts of other "dirty" offenses you might see if you can make some positive changes in the practice or find a different practice to work in. Honestly, I graduated 15 years ago and alot has changed, so if the Dr. you are working for is older they may just not know about the newer protocols. There is an awful lot of new information to take in all the time, but basic cleanliness is an issue that cannot be compromised since some medically compromised patients could be severly affected….Not only are you able, but you must address the issue for everyone's safety. After all, if dirty gloves are going into a patient's mouth, what else are they touching the bathroom doorknob? (that you are going to end up touching with your bare hands?)
Good luck + hope that helps!
JAMRDH -a dental hygienist
I have no idea, but im a male in my senior year too in FL and looking into this career, i heard you don't have too… but im not sure.
its better if you are not too to get a hepatitis c shot, its for your safety.
It depends on the dentist you are going to work for.
hi,
check this out,
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm
http://www.texasdha.org/
http://www.tdhea.org/
http://www.twu.edu/dental-hygiene/
good luck,
Dental hygienest
Well every job has it's downsides, but dental hygiene is a great career. Bls.gov says that the employment growth is projected to be 30%, much faster than average. It is in demand and offers great pay, especially for an associate's degree. And yes they do get good benefits, just like any job, you have to search around and interview to find a job that offers benefits that are valuable to you. Here's a good link to lots of useful info on dental hygienists: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm
They typically make $50 an hour and see 1 patient per hour.