They need to have good communication skills, appear neat and clean, have good manual dexterity and an interest in science. The dental hygienists usually work in private dental offices. As a health care worker the dental hygienist is guided by the OSHA guidelines for infection control. Earnings vary depending on the amount of experience of the hygienist, the location of employment and the employer specialty. Dental hygienists who work in private dental offices usually are salaried.
Some hygienists work for two or more dentists.
Under supervision of the dentist, the hygienist removes deposits and stains from teeth, applies agents to help prevent tooth decay, provides oral health instruction, administers local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation, and performs soft tissue curettage. Licensing Examination Completion of the program qualifies the student to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the California Dental Hygiene Clinical Examination for licensure. The WLAC Dental Hygiene Program was organized and established in conjunction with the University of California at Los Angeles as the first two-year dental hygiene curriculum in Southern California. The program in dental hygiene is accredited by The Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Post Secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.