Dental Hygienists clean and polish teeth using scaling instruments and a rotating polisher.
They apply decay preventive agents such as fluorides and sealants, chart medical and dental histories and take and develop dental X-ray films. They also gather all of the patient data and information for the dentist and teach patients good oral hygiene practices. Hygienists do not diagnose problems, but over time they have acquired more responsibility. They can administer anesthesia for pain control and prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for interpretation by dentists. On occasion they may work with dentists in the capacity of dental assistant.