National
| Median wages (2008) |
$32.00 hourly, $66,570 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
167,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
82,000 additional employees |
29-2021.00 - Dental Hygienists
Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop X-rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.
Sample of reported job titles:
Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), Hygienist
Tasks
- Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- Record and review patient medical histories.
- Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- Provide clinical services and health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients and the general public.
- Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Expose and develop x-ray film.
- Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
- Apply fluorides and other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
- Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Dental lasers — Caries detection aids; Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Nd:YAG dental lasers |
| Dental probes — Calculus explorers; Caries explorers; Nabers furcation probes; Periodontal probes |
| Dental scalers or accessories — Autoscalars; Hand scalers; Solid handle scalars; Ultrasonic scalers |
| Dental x ray units — Dental x ray machines; Digital dental x ray units; Panoramic dental x ray units; Portable dental x ray units |
| Teeth cleaning devices or accessories — Air-driven dental polishers; Air/water syringes; Dental polishers; Motor-driven dental polishers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Dental billing software |
| Calendar and scheduling software — Scheduling software |
| Inventory management software |
| Medical software — Dental charting software; Dental office management software; Henry Schein Dentrix software; Voice-activated perio charting software |
| Word processing software |
