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Career Exploration

Dental Hygienists

Also called: Dental Hygienist, Hygienist, Licensed Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)

What they do:

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

On the job, you would:
  • Record and review patient medical histories.
  • Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
  • Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
On the job, you'll need:

Health

  • medicine and dentistry

Business

  • customer service

Math and Science

  • psychology

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Social

  • looking for ways to help people
  • understanding people's reactions

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Attention

  • do two or more things at the same time

Social

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

  • Concern for Others
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Medical software

  • Dental office management software
  • Henry Schein Dentrix

Electronic mail software

  • Email software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $81,400

Education

Associate's degree or professional degree is usually needed.