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Dental hygienist
 | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
Activity sectors | Dentistry |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Biomedical knowledge, manual dexterity, critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication |
Education required | Associates of Dental Hygiene or Bachelors Degree in Dental Hygiene |
A dental hygienist or oral hygienist is a licensed dental professional, registered with a dental association or regulatory body within their country of practice. Prior to completing clinical and written board examinations, registered dental hygienists must have either an associate's or bachelor's degree in dental hygiene from an accredited college or university. Once registered, hygienists are primary healthcare professionals who work independently of or alongside dentists and other dental professionals to provide full oral health care. They have the training and education that focus on and specialize in the prevention and treatment of many oral diseases.
Dental hygienists have a specific scope of clinical procedures they provide to their patients. They assess a patient's condition in order to offer patient-specific preventive and educational services to promote and maintain good oral health. A major role of a dental hygienist is to perform periodontal therapy which includes things such periodontal charting, periodontal debridement (scaling and root planing), prophylaxis (preventing disease) or periodontal maintenance procedures for patients with periodontal disease. The use of therapeutic methods assists their patients in controlling oral disease, while providing tailored treatment plans that emphasize the importance of behavioral changes.[1] Some dental hygienists are licensed to administer local anesthesia and perform dental radiography.[2] Dental hygienists are also the primary resource for oral cancer screening and prevention.[3] In addition to these procedures, hygienists may take intraoral radiographs, apply dental sealants, administer topical fluoride, and provide patient-specific oral hygiene instruction.[4]
Dental hygienists work in a range of dental settings, from independent, private, or specialist practices to the public sector.[5][6] Dental hygienists work together with dentists, dental therapists, oral health therapists, as well as other dental professionals. Dental hygienists aim to work inter-professionally to provide holistic oral health care in the best interest of their patient. Dental hygienists also offer expertise in their field and can provide a dental hygiene diagnosis, which is an integral component of the comprehensive dental diagnosis.[7]
- ^ Dental Hygienists' Association of Australia Inc. (1999). A professional Body Addressing Training, Uniformity of Practice and Growth of the Dental Hygienist Profession. Retrieved from "Information - DHAA: Dental Hygienists' Association of Australia Inc. Supporting uniformity of Practice & growth of the dental hygienist profession". Archived from the original on 2014-05-18. Retrieved 2014-05-17. Print. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists respectively
- ^ "Response to the Dental Board of Australia's Preliminary Consultation on the Draft Scope of Practice Registration Standard and Guidelines". Retrieved 24 May 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Be part of the change". Oral Cancer Foundation. Oral Cancer Foundation. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ "American Dental Association-Dental Hygienist- Job Description". Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ Australian Dental Association. "Dental Hygienist". Australian Dental Association. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
- ^ "Dental Hygienist". American Dental Association. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
- ^ "Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice" (PDF). American Dental Hygienists' Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 7, 2012.
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