Dental hygienists


Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. Hygienists examine patients� teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; perform root planing as a periodontal therapy; take and develop dental x rays; and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some States, hygienists administer anesthetics; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations. Although hygienists may not diagnose diseases, they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists sometimes work chairside with the dentist during treatment.
Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health or inform patients how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their teeth.
Dental hygienists use hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonics to clean and polish teeth, x-ray machines to take dental pictures, syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics, and models of teeth to explain oral hygiene.

Related news articles
SDA has new dental hygienist - Oct 15, 2006
Saipan Tribune,She has worked as a dental hygienist since then. She said, as a dental hygienist she has been very active in educating and promoting good oral hygiene. ...

POCATELLO DENTAL HYGIENIST AWARDED NATIONAL HONOR - Oct 9, 2006
KPVI-TV,A Pocatello dental worker has been named the Breath RX Dental Hygienist of the Year. Lisa Higbee graduated from Idaho State University ...

Local Dental Hygienist Serves Those in Need... - Oct 13, 2006
U.S. Newswire (press release),Health Service Commissioned Corps who is serving on the front lines of public health in Cherokee, NC Introduce your readers to a local dental hygienist who is ...

Idaho Dental Hygienist Awarded Title of BreathRx Hygienist of the ... - Oct 10, 2006
Market Wire (press release)CULVER CITY, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 10, 2006 -- Lisa Higbee from Pocatello, Idaho was chosen from more than 500 applicants and five finalists as the ...

Cayman's first Dental Hygienist retires - Sep 16, 2006
Cayman Net News,Reportedly excelling in her duties Ms Whittaker worked in a variety of difficult situations, from traveling to Cayman Brac to perform her duties, to working at ...

Wilmington's Wehler Hygienist of the Year - Oct 12, 2006
Tewksbury Advocate,Carolyn Wehler of Wilmington received the honor of Dental Hygienist of the Year from Massachusetts Dental Hygienists' Association (MDHA) at the organization's ...

Gum Disease Can Trigger Host of Problems - Oct 14, 2006
WFIE-TV,..."When you're looking at people who have gum disease, they are suffering from a chronic low-grade infection," said Jean Connor, a dental hygienist in Cambridge ...

names and faces - Oct 15, 2006
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader,She is employed as a dental hygienist in the office of Dr. Charles Musto, periodontal surgeon and implant specialist, Forty Fort.

Health department hopes to improve dental care with new program - Oct 13, 2006
Richmond Register,...one of the most neglected areas for all people, especially people who are in an at-risk environment,�? said Marsha Deaton, registered dental hygienist for the ...

Not getting any dates? Check your breath - Oct 13, 2006
Saipan Tribune,...risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dental hygienist for tips on kicking the habit. Along with good oral ...

October is National Dental Hygiene Month: Celebrity Dentist Dr. ... - Oct 9, 2006
PR Web (press release),Visiting a dental hygienist and dentist team, every six months or as scheduled, is vital in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. ...

NE job market has some wind in its sails - Oct 15, 2006
Boston Globe,As for health care, if you have what it takes to be a nurse, cardiologist, dental hygienist, or radiologic technologist, you are in the right place at the ...

Oral screenings free at UM dental school - Oct 14, 2006
Ann Arbor News,Dental and dental hygienist students and faculty members will team up to provide free x-rays, oral cancer screenings, tooth decay examinations and instructions ...

Phoenix school starts campus dental clinic - Oct 9, 2006
Arizona Republic,Micki Banks, the dental hygienist, is pleased with the two-chair dental clinic, which was created by remodeling a nurse practitioner's office and a conference ...

Middle Eastern Dancing Hygienist - Sep 25, 2006
RDH,Dental Hygiene. She called the school, interviewed, and was on her way to becoming a dental hygienist. She graduated in 2004. A ...

Locals, not elites, are lifeblood of race - Oct 13, 2006
Baltimore Sun,..."I was in transition," said Hickey, a dental hygienist who had been a regular at the more populous Marine Corps Marathon in Washington. ...

Kirk, Bertagna tout virtues, exchange barbs - Oct 12, 2006
Enterprise-Record,..."I have the time to be a full-time supervisor," Kirk added. who professionally is a dental hygienist, said she would devote all of her time to the board. ...

County wants discount dental plan - Oct 9, 2006
DetNews.com,..."Unless they sell toothbrushes and toothpaste, they're not going to make that up with what they sell out of their office," said Kowall, a dental hygienist. ...






More information on Dental hygienists from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Dental hygienists occupation
Number of Dental hygienists in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Dental hygienists
Working conditions for Dental hygienists
Significant points for Dental hygienists
Training requirements for Dental hygienists




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