ALT-1 How to become an Oral Hygienist
Most dental patients spend more time with the oral hygienist than they do with their dentist. The oral hygienist helps prevent dental and periodontal disease while the dentist repairs injuries and diseases of the teeth. The oral hygienist is the first line of defense.
Oral or dental hygienists are responsible for dental education of dental patients to promote dental health and to prevent dental and periodontal disease. Theirdutiesinclude teach patients the proper way to brush and floss their teeth. They teach about proper nutrition for healthy teeth. Oral hygienists take oral and medical histories, and they examine the teeth, gums, head and neck for abnormalities. They take dental x-rays, remove calculus and plaque from teeth, and they apply preventative treatments to teeth. Oral hygienists make molds of patients teeth used for evaluating treatment. They can administer local anesthetics and administer smoking cessation programs. They screen dental patients for the dentists, and perform dental office management duties.
Oral hygienists must earn anAssociate of Science degreefrom a college that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Students must successfully complete five clinical semesters in order to qualify for taking the Dental Hygiene National Boards. Most states also require that students complete an additional licensure exam. Successful completion of both examinations is required in order to receive state licensure as an oral hygienist. Upon completion of both exams and receiving state licensure, the oral hygienist is then designated as a RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist).
Licenses must be renewed yearly. In order to renew the state license, the oral hygienist must complete 14 hours ofContinuing Education Unitseach year, have CPR training, and 2 hours of infection control are required every two years.
Thecore curriculumfor oral hygienist students include courses in general anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, head and neck anatomy, tooth morphology, dental hygiene principles, dental radiology, periodontology, pharmacology, general and oral pathology, nutrition and dental health, public health dentistry, dental health education, medical and dental emergencies, and ethics and professionalism. Students must complete five clinical semesters. Other courses that must be completed are courses in English, Math, Psychology, Computer Applications and Sociology.
The allied dental professional (oral hygienist), the dentist, and the dental educator work as a team to improve communities’ dental health. Oral hygienists may work in a dentist’s office, schools, public health clinics, hospitals, correctional institutions, nursing homes, or corporations. They may also work in administrative positions in any of above locations.
