Dental aides assist dentists with a variety of operative and specialty procedures. Employment opportunities range from positions in general dental offices to specialty practices. They remove calculus and plaque from teeth, apply fluoride and sealants, perform deep cleanings to prevent and treat gum disease and assist the dentist in providing oral health treatment. They also educate patients about proper nutrition and oral hygiene, review and maintain patients' charts and take and develop X-rays. A high school diploma is required.
Formal training includes a minimum of two years of study in an accredited dental hygiene program.
There are 13 accredited dental hygiene programs at community colleges in Florida. To get a dental hygiene license, students must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the national dental hygiene written board and the Florida dental hygiene clinical board. There is a higher demand for dental hygienists in some areas than in others. The most commonly offered benefits are paid vacation, paid holidays, paid sick leave, dental insurance or care, reimbursement for attending continuing education courses, medical insurance and pension plans.