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Dental hygienists must complete an accredited dental hygiene program requiring approximately 2,000 hours of classroom study, with approximately 600 hours dedicated to supervised clinical dental hygiene instruction. Dental hygienists receive a license to practice after completing a national exam and a regional or state exam. It is your consumer right to know "WHO" is providing dental hygiene services. Look for the dental hygiene license displayed in the office. For general information about dental hygienists, write the American Dental Hygienists' Association, 444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3400, Chicago, IL 60617, or visit the web site at www.adha.org. |
DID YOU KNOW that the signs and
symptoms of potentially life-threatening conditions such as oral
cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, eating disorders, HIV, and heart
disease often appear in the mouth first? Many dental hygienists
help detect serious problems early by focusing on extensive oral
exams. Registered Dental Hygienists are licensed oral health
care professionals who provide treatment to prevent cavities and
periodontal disease. They help patients maintain healthy teeth
and gums which helps promote overall wellness. Patient care
performed by dental hygienists may include, conducting oral
cancer screenings and head and neck exams, recording medical and
dental health histories, monitoring blood pressure, scaling
teeth above and below the gumline to remove soft and hard
deposits and bacteria, exposing, processing, and mounting dental
X-rays, checking changes or abnormalities in the mouth, applying
fluorides and sealants to protect teeth from cavities, patient
education, counseling patients on proper nutrition for overall
health. The dental hygienist generally works as a clinical
practitioner in dental practices. Hygienists also work as
educators, researchers, administrators, managers, preventive
program developers, consumer advocates, and consultants. These
diverse applications of our educational background allow us the
opportunity to assist many.