Hygienist

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A hygienist is a healthcare professional dedicated to improving and promoting oral health. These healthcare professionals work with dentists to help prevent oral problems and promote better oral health. They often work with healthcare professionals such as nurses and general practitioners to ensure that people receive the best possible oral care.

What is a Hygienist?

A hygienist is someone who cleans teeth, examines patients for oral diseases such as gingivitis, and provides other preventive dental care. They also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health. Almost all dental hygienists work in dentists' offices and work closely with dentists and dental assistants.

What does a hygienist do?

A hygienist uses many types of tools to do their job. They clean and polish teeth with manual and powered tools, as well as ultrasonic devices. In some cases, hygienists remove stains with a polishing device that sprays a combination of air, water, and baking soda. They also use X-ray machines to take pictures to check for problems in the teeth or jaw.

Some other tasks of a hygienist:

 

  • Removing tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth.
  • Applying sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth.
  • Taking and developing dental X-rays.
  • Following patient care and treatment plans.
  • Teaching patients about oral hygiene, how to brush, and how to use dental floss correctly.

Hygienists help patients develop and maintain good oral health. They can explain the relationship between diet and oral health. They can also give patients advice on how to select toothbrushes and other oral care devices.

Sometimes patients are in extreme pain or mental stress, and the hygienist must be sensitive to their emotions. Hygienists must follow specific rules and protocols to help diagnose and treat a patient. In rare cases, dental hygienists work without the direct supervision of a dentist.

Hygienists must be good at working with their hands. They usually work in rooms using very precise tools on a small part of the body. Dental hygienists must be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as leaning over patients for a long time. They must also understand how to operate complex machinery, including X-ray machines and other instruments.

What is a hygienist's workplace like?

Almost all hygienists work in offices with dentists, in clean and well-lit places. They work closely with dentists and dental assistants.

Hygienist: what do they do?
Clean calcareous deposits, buildup, and stains from teeth and below gum margins, using dental instruments. 99%
Record and review patients' medical histories. 98%
Examine the gums, using probes, to locate receding periodontal gums and signs of gum disease. 96%
Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public. 96%
Feel and visually examine the gums for sores and signs of disease. 94%
Expose and develop an X-ray film. 94%
Chart cavities and disease conditions for diagnosis and treatment by the dentist. 93%
Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments. 93%
Apply fluorides or other cavity-preventive agents to stop tooth decay. 92%
Feel the lymph nodes under the patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate the presence of oral cancer. 90%