If you are someone who enjoys helping people and working with your hands, a career as dental hygienist  may be right for you. Dental hygienists must have good people skills as they work with patients of all ages to help them care for their teeth and gums. This is a rewarding career that is in demand, especially as awareness of the connection between oral health and systemic health grows.

In a typical dental office, the job duties of a dental hygienist include performing preventive dental procedures, providing educational and clinical services and supporting total health through optimal oral health. These professionals provide clinical services including exposing and processing dental X-rays, removing hard and soft deposits (plaque and calculus) from teeth; applying cavity-preventive materials, such as fluorides and sealants; and screening for oral cancer and other health problems. They also counsel patients about diet and oral hygiene, and may provide dietary and lifestyle recommendations.

While most dental hygienists work in private dental offices, they also can be found in other health care settings. These include community health, education, public and private dental care clinics, hospitals, managed care organizations and nursing homes. Some even travel to Indian reservations to provide health care services. With a bachelor’s degree, a dental hygienist can take on additional responsibilities such as teaching courses in dental hygiene, managing health care clinics and sales of dental equipment.

Dental hygienists play a critical role in the prevention of gum disease, which is a major cause of tooth loss and poor overall health. Hygienists remove hardened plaque, or tartar, from the teeth and help patients learn to clean their teeth properly with regular brushing and use of interdental brushes, floss or tape. They can also remove impacted or infected teeth, and perform basic laboratory tasks like taking blood samples.

A hygienist can also be useful in helping a patient quit smoking. Research has shown that smokers are more likely to have dental and general health problems, so a hygienist can give advice on various programs or ways to assist a patient in quitting.

Dental hygienists also play an important role in helping children keep their teeth healthy. They often polish the teeth of children, and can apply a special plastic coating to the biting surfaces of their permanent back teeth – called ‘pit and fissure sealants’ – to help reduce decay in these areas. They can also provide information about the links between a child’s diet and their dental health.

If you are interested in becoming a dental hygienist, Concorde offers an associate degree program that will prepare you for a fulfilling and rewarding career. The program takes 17 to 22 months to complete, and once you graduate, you’ll be ready to become a licensed dental hygienist. Contact us today to find out more and get started on your future!