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Q. What are the responsibilities of a dental hygienist?
A. Responsibilities: Dental hygienists are responsible
for primary preventive dental hygiene care. An important function
of the dental hygienist is to impart dental health information to
the public. Dental hygienists scale and polish teeth, chart extra-oral
and intra-oral conditions, expose radiographs, apply fluoride treatments,
take dental impressions, apply pit and fissure sealants, polish amalgam
restorations, and perform other chairside and office duties.
Q. What are the educational requirements to become a
dental hygienist?
A. Education Required: An associate degree in dental
hygiene is the minimal amount of education required. YSU does offer
an associate degree as do other universities and colleges. Bachelor
of Science degrees and Master degrees are also available at various
institutions. The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is required
by all states for licensure. In addition, a state or regional board
which includes a clinical component is required in various states.
Q. What skills must a dental hygienist possess?
A. Skills needed: Good manual dexterity, the ability
to communicate with the public, interest in providing care for others,
and a people-oriented, caring personality are the desired skills of
a dental hygienist.
Q. What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in this
area?
A. Salary: Starting salary is approximately $14-$20
per hour depending on locale and experience. Other options include
a flat base pay plus commission, commission only, day rate, or an
hourly rate. Benefits such as paid vacations, paid holidays, and the
availability of a retirement program influence the hourly compensation.
Q. In what setting do hygienists primarily work?
A. Setting: Dental hygienists work primarily in private
practice. However, many dental hygienists work in school systems,
dental health programs, health agencies, hospitals, educational institutions,
research programs, or public health settings. |
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