What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who are employed by a dentist to help in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or conditions of the teeth, mouth, and gums.
They provide preventive dental services that help keep teeth healthy by removing plaque, tartar, and other deposits, as well as helping to prevent gum disease. In addition, they also help with the comfort, aesthetics, and overall health of the patients teeth and gums. This role requires great clinical skills and knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and oral pathology.
How to Become a Dental Hygienist
To become a dental hygienist, an individual must obtain an associate degree in dental hygiene from an accredited school, as well as receive a valid license from their states board of dentistry. The path to becoming a dental hygienist can be broken down into five steps.
1. Earn a High School Diploma
To be eligible for an associate degree program in dental hygiene, applicants must first have earned a high school diploma or an equivalent.
2. Obtain an Associate Degree
Most community colleges and universities offer a two-year associate degree program in dental hygiene. Courses may include microscopic anatomy of the mouth, dental materials, pharmacology, nutrition, periodontal diseases, patient assessment, and clinical practice.
3. Become Licensed
All states require dental hygienists to become licensed in order to practice. Specific licensing requirements vary, although many states require applicants to pass written and practical exams.
4. Become Certified
In addition to obtaining a license, many dental hygienists choose to become certified. Certification is available in several specialty areas, such as periodontics, public health, or geriatrics. Certification also typically requires passing a special examination.
5. Pursue Continuing Education
Dental hygienists are expected to complete continuing education credits to maintain their licensure. Requirements may vary by state but typically include 10-20 hours of continuing education credits every year.
In the Future, the Role of AI in Dental Hygiene
With the advancement of technology, AI is predicted to play a greater role in the future of the dental industry. AI-based solutions can reduce cost, improve efficiency, and provide a higher level of care.
AI could allow dental hygienists to perform treatments that are beyond the scope of what is currently possible. For example, AI could enable dental hygienists to have access to a wider array of X-ray images and patient records, and to diagnose more complex conditions.
AI could also enable the use of robot-assisted procedures, which would reduce the amount of time and space needed to perform a treatment and improve accuracy. Additionally, AI could be used to track and analyze patient data over time to inform decisions and add an additional layer of accuracy to preventative procedures.
Ultimately, the use of AI provides an exciting opportunity to break down traditional barriers in the dental profession, allowing dental hygienists to provide additional care to patients and improve outcomes.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re interested in becoming a dental hygienist, now is the time to start your journey. Research schools, find the right program, and study hard to ensure you’re ready to take the exams and pass with flying colors.
You can also look into specialty areas of the field, such as periodontics or public health, to determine your ideal career path. And you can keep an eye on the future of the field to see how AI might change the profession.
No matter what path you choose, becoming a dental hygienist can be a rewarding job that gives you the chance to provide much-needed dental healthcare to patients across the globe.
