DENTAL HYGIENIST
Dental hygienists clean
teeth and provide other preventive dental care, as well as teach patients
how to practice good oral hygiene. Hygienists examine patients' teeth and
gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. Dental hygienists
use hand and rotary instruments to clean teeth, x-ray machines to take
dental pictures and syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics.
Education
An associate degree is sufficient
for practice in a private dental office. A bachelors or masters degree
is usually required for research, teaching or clinical practice in public
or school health programs.
Registration/Certification/Licensure
To qualify for licensure, a
candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass
both a written and clinical examination. The American Dental Association
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations administers the written
examination that is approved by all states. Dental hygienists must be licensed
by the state in which they practice.
Salary
$35,000-52,000
Employment Opportunities
Almost all dental hygienists
work in dental offices. Some work in public health agencies, hospitals
and clinics.
Programs
Professional Association
American
Dental Hygienists' Association
444 North Michigan Avenue,
Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-8900
Last updated: June 26, 2001