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Dental Hygiene: Expert combines many different practical and visual skills with knowledge of specialized materials and techniques. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals who have license in dental hygiene to provide educational, clinical, research, administrative and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimum oral health. This book will introduce the knowledge and skills for those studying and/or working in dental industry.
About this Book
The information in this book covers basic to core competencies relating to rendering oral health promotion and preventive measures, performing oral examination and prophylaxis, taking brief clinical history, taking radiographs, giving oral-health education to patients, managing dental records and resources and providing effective patient/client service.
About the Dental Industry
Dental hygienists provide clinical services in a variety of settings such as private dental practice, community health settings, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, schools, faculty practice clinics, state and federal government facilities and Indian reservations. In addition to clinical practice, there are career opportunities in education, research, sales and marketing, public health, administration and government. Some hygienists combine positions in different settings and career paths for professional variety. Working in education and clinical practice is an example.
Dental hygienists typically do the following:
• Remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth
• Apply sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth
• Take and develop dental x rays
• Keep track of patient care and treatment plans
• Teach patients oral hygiene techniques, such as how to brush and floss correctly
Dental hygienists use many types of tools to do their job. They clean and polish teeth with hand, power, and ultrasonic tools. In some cases, they remove stains with an air-polishing device, which sprays a combination of air, water, and baking soda. They polish teeth with a powered tool that works like an automatic toothbrush. Hygienists use x-ray machines to take pictures to check for tooth or jaw problems.
Dental hygienists help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health. They may also give advice to patients on how to select toothbrushes and other oral-care devices. Other tasks hygienists may perform vary by country. Some countries allow hygienists to place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings. They work closely with dentists and dental assistants.
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will continue to spur the demand for preventative dental services, which are often provided by dental hygienists.
As their practices expand, dentists will hire more hygienists to perform routine dental care, allowing the dentist to see more patients. In addition, as the large baby-boom population ages and people keep more of their original teeth than previous generations did, the need to maintain and treat these teeth will continue to drive demand for dental care. As a result, the demand for all dental services, including those performed by hygienists, will increase.
