Dental Hygienist Dental hygienists are important members of the dental health care team. Working with dentists, they provide patient dental care by examining teeth for cavities, removing tooth deposits, applying fluoride and sealants, and performing other protective services. They instruct patients on methods to improve and maintain their oral health, including brushing, flossing, and eating the proper foods. Dental hygienists record patient histories, update patient charts, and make impressions of teeth so that treatment options can be evaluated by a dentist. They also do oral cancer and blood pressure screenings and take x-rays.
Some hygienists design and implement school and community health programs.
Some hygienists enter post-certificate dental hygiene programs to earn bachelor's degrees in dental hygiene or related fields, such as biology or health education. A dental hygienist may also pursue a master's degree in health education. Licensure, Certification, and Registration Prior to graduation from an accredited program, a dental hygienist must pass the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. This must be followed by the state licensure examination given by the Southern Regional Testing Agency. All Rights Reserved.