Dental
Hygienist - training and careers
A world of opportunity awaits you
– start a career as a Dental Hygienist!
The dental industry continues
to expand and as the need for dentists grows, so
does the need
for professional dental support staff. If you enjoy working with people
and are seeking a rewarding occupation, a career as a Dental
Hygienist might be
perfect for you!
The responsibility of
the Dental Hygienist is to help patients maintain healthy teeth
and gums by performing the following tasks:
- Removing the
soft and hard deposits from teeth
- Teaching patients how to
practice good oral hygiene
- Examining a patient's teeth and
gums
- Taking dental x-rays and impressions
- Applying
cavity prevention agents
- Preparing diagnostic tests and
charting dental conditions
Dental Hygienists must be licensed in
the state in which they practice and have
graduated from an
accredited dental hygiene school. In addition, they must pass
written and clinical examinations. There are numerous accredited
dental hygiene
education programs in community colleges,
technical colleges, dental schools and
universities. Other
innovative training methods include electronic distance
education
combined with in-office clinical training.
Dental Hygienists can
find employment opportunities in dental offices, public health
agencies, hospitals, community health clinics and public school
systems. Flexible
work schedules are often available in this high
demand field. According to the
United States Department of Labor,
the demand for qualified Dental Hygienists
should continue to
grow at a faster than average pace, leading to a great outlook
for qualified graduates.
Prepare for your future and begin a
career as a Dental Hygienist today!
