What will I do in this job?

Dental hygienists clean teeth, provide preventative dental care, and teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene. You will examine patients’ teeth and gums and record the presence of any disease or abnormality. You will also remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; take and develop dental x-rays; and apply cavity preventive agents. Some States permit hygienists to administer local anesthetics and anesthetic gas, place temporary fillings, remove sutures, and polish metal restorations.

Some of the equipment you will use includes:

• hand and rotary instruments, lasers, and ultrasonic to clean teeth
• x-ray machines
• syringes to administer local anesthetic
• models of teeth to explain oral hygiene

You should have good manual dexterity because you will use dental instruments with little room for error. .

Do I need a special license?

Yes, you will need a state license.

What type of education do I need?

Dental hygienists must be licensed by the State in which they practice. To qualify for licensure, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical examination.

High school students interested in becoming a dental hygienist should take courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics.

Will I find a job?

Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012.

How much money will I make?

Median Salary: $26.59/ hour (Ranges from $17.00- $39.00/hour)
(2003-2004)