What Job Duties Does a Dental Hygienist Have?

Contrary to popular belief, dental hygienists do much more than clean your teeth. With job responsibilities that cover both patient care and aftercare treatment, they play a crucial role in keeping your mouth healthy. They work in tandem with dentists to treat patients in more complex areas. Are you intrigued and want to learn more about their daily job duties? Read on for an inside look at the many tasks your dental hygienist completes throughout the day.

Screenings

Before the dentist sees the patient, your dental hygienist will conduct a quick screening to assess the overall health of your teeth. If they spot any potential oral health issues, they may do a more extensive exam. They’ll check your mouth for signs and symptoms of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. After the screening, your hygienist will report their findings to the dentist.

Patient Education

Did you know one of the responsibilities of a dental hygienist is to educate patients? Most people may not know that it’s part of the job, even though it’s one of the most critical duties. Not all people learned how to care for their teeth from an early age, meaning they may come in with an array of oral health issues. Others may just have dental anxiety that prevents them from making regular appointments. In both cases, dental hygienists educate these patients and help them feel comfortable during their visit, showing them how easy it is to maintain a healthy smile!

Counseling

If a patient has avoided going to the dentist for a long time, they may feel uncomfortable during their checkup. Fortunately, dental hygienists provide patients with counseling to help ease their nerves. This component may also include help following treatment, such as aftercare and recovery instructions.

X-Rays and Impressions

Nowadays, most dental offices use x-ray machines that can take a full series of images in just a few minutes. Dental hygienists are often responsible for taking these x-rays. Aside from that, another responsibility they have is to take impressions of one or more teeth for implants, dentures, or other dental appliances.

Treatment

Did you know dental hygienists can also give treatments to patients? It’s true! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that can include removing plaque and tartar buildup, providing fluoride treatments for patients with weak teeth, and applying sealants to cracked or damaged teeth. Hygienists can also assist the dentist with treatments like root planning and scaling. However, their primary responsibilities include performing regular cleanings and thorough oral exams.

As you can see, your dental hygienist performs many duties that are crucial to your oral health. Next time you see them, consider thanking them for all their hard work!

About the Practice

At Orange Place Family Dentistry, we provide comprehensive, personalized, high-quality dental services to patients of all ages. From routine cleanings to teeth whitening treatment to dental implants, we have something everyone can benefit from! Our dental hygienists are more than happy to guide you through your visit and answer any questions you may have about treatments, financing, and scheduling. Visit our website or call (216) 464-2448 to speak to a member of our team.