What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
Have you noticed at your recent dental checkup that you spent more time with dental hygienist than the dentist? This experience may have led you to wonder what is the difference between a dental hygienist and a dentist. A dental hygienist is a licensed dental practitioner who is trained to perform many of the basic dental procedures that occur during a routine dental visit. But don’t be confused, a hygienist is not a dental assistant. In fact, hygienists are trained to see patients on their own, and refer to dentists for oral health concerns and diagnostic decisions. Below is more information on dental hygienist training and their regular duties in a dental office.
Training and license requirements
It is required for all dental hygienist in the US to obtain a license from the state where they will work. In order to qualify for appropriate licensure, a hygienist must 1) graduate from an accredited degree program and 2) pass a national exam and a state or region-specific exam.
- Accredited degree programs: Many universities and community colleges have accredited dental hygienist programs. These programs include required coursework on anatomy, physiology, chemistry, clinical sciences and pharmacology. You may be surprised to know that even prior to attending these accredited programs, applicants must have a high school diploma and have previously completed courses in biology, chemistry, math and health.
- National and state exams: After graduating from their degree program, a dental hygienist must then pass their licensure exam. The first exam that is required is the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. This exam is focused on the science of the gums, tissues, and oral bacteria. In addition to testing the scientific principles of oral hygiene, the test assesses the hygienist’s ability to identify patient symptoms and tests their knowledge of appropriate treatment and care. While hygienists are not trained to diagnosis dental conditions or to perform more advanced dental procedures, they are expected to be able to identify the symptoms of conditions and to know when more intensive treatments may be needed. After passing the national board exam, the candidate must also pass a regional exam. The regional exam is a more technical test of clinical skill. During this exam, the hygienist performs dental practices on an actual patient, including the procedures included in a routine check-up and professional cleaning.
Regular duties of a dental hygienist
Many of the basic procedures involved in a routine dental visit fall under the responsibilities of a trained dental hygienist. Generally, if a dental office has a hygienist on staff, they are expected to perform the oral health history screening and the professional cleaning. Further, because of their specific training, hygienists are experts at teaching and providing tips on brushing and flossing techniques. The responsibilities and licensing for hygienists vary from state to state, meaning in some states dental hygienists may be responsible for performing more dental tasks.
Overall, you should feel comfortable knowing that the next time you visit the dentist, the dental hygienists on staff are well-educated, trained, and licensed to help treat your oral health needs.
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