Job Duties for Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Dental hygienists
- Conduct patient screening and oral health assessments, including taking vital signs and documenting patient medical and health history
- Take dental impressions
- Take and develop X-rays
- Perform preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, scaling, gum stimulation and fluoride and sealant applications
- Provide oral care instructions such as oral hygiene procedures, strategies to maintain and improve oral health and on the impact of nutrition on oral health
- Consult with dentists on patient care
- May perform restorative and orthodontic procedures under the direction of a dentist
- May supervise dental assistants in their health care functions
- May participate in community- or school-based oral health initiatives such as oral screening.
Dental therapists
- Perform routine dental check-ups, oral cancer examinations and emergency dental examinations
- Take dental impressions
- Take and develop X-rays
- Perform preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, gum stimulation and fluoride and sealant applications
- Provide oral care instructions such as oral hygiene procedures, strategies to maintain and improve oral health and on the impact of nutrition on oral health
- Perform routine teeth restorations and uncomplicated extractions and provide post extraction oral care instructions
- Refer patients to other dental professionals for care beyond the scope of the dental therapist
- Provide oral health promotion activities
- May supervise dental assistants in their health care functions.
Working Conditions for Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Work is performed indoors, typically in a private clinic; some perform duties from hospitals or other large healthcare facilities. Rigorous safety measures are usually in place, with bodily fluids, oral hygiene ailments, and x-rays regularly exposed. As dental hygienists and therapists work on patients from close quarters and in slim margins, they must be extremely attentive.
Alternate Job Titles
- Community Dental Hygienist
- Dental Hygiene Technician
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Hygienist Technician
- Dental Nurse
- Dental Therapist
- Expanded Duty Dental Hygienist
- Expanded Duty Dental Nurse
- Licensed Dental Therapist
- Orthodontic Hygienist
- Periodontal Hygienist
- Registered Dental Hygienist
- Registered Dental Therapist
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Nurse
- Dental Therapist
- Hygienist