Oral Care Professional

Duties and Responsibilities: In the dental office, the dentist and the dental hygienist work together to meet the oral health needs of patients. Since each state has its own specific regulations regarding their responsibilities, the range of services performed by hygienists varies from state to state. Some of the services provided by dental hygienists may include:

·      patient screening procedures; such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse

·      taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)

·      removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth

·      applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g., sealants and fluorides)

·      teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;

·      (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)

·      counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health

·      making impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs)

·      performing documentation and office management activities

Salary: $67,340

Education: Dental hygienists must be licensed in their state in order to work in a dentist's office. Exams are administered by the American Dental Association's (ADA) Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and the results are accepted in all states and the District of Columbia. Dental hygienist requirements include completing an accredited dental hygiene program, passing a written exam, passing a clinical test and, in some states, passing an exam on the legal aspects of dental hygiene practice. In addition to the educational component, working as a dental hygienist requires excellent manual dexterity and the ability to work precisely with a variety of small tools. Dental hygienists must also be good communicators who enjoy working with people.

Reflection: I would not like to become an oral care professional because again I have no interest in oral care.