Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists are trained to evaluate a patient's dental health. Their duties include taking x-rays, cleaning patients' teeth, and applying fluorides and sealants to teeth. They may also apply temporary fillings at the request of the dentist. Dental hygienists are responsible for providing dental health education, including topics such as oral hygiene, selecting appropriate toothbrushes, the use of dental floss, and how diseases such as diabetes affect a patient's oral health.

Work Environment
Dental hygienists usually work with dentists in private practices. Some may work with dentists who are in specialty practices such as periodontics or pediatric dentistry, and others may work within dental teaching institutions.

Job Outlook
The demand for dental hygienists will continue to increase as the population ages and new treatments and technologies become available for the treatment of dental hygiene problems.

Length of Training/
Requirements
Two years of college at an accredited school is necessary to become a dental hygienist. There are some university-based dental hygiene programs that offer bachelor's and master's degrees.

Salary
Salary depends on education, geography, job setting, and experience. Current salaries range from $35,000 - $81,000.

Educational Programs
Associate/ Bachelor's/Master's Degrees Amarillo College
Baylor College of Dentistry
Bee County College
Blinn College
Del Mar College
El Paso Community College
Howard College
Lamar University Institute of Technology Midwestern State University
Tarrant County Junior College District Northeast Campus
Temple College
Texas State Technical College - Harlingen Texas Woman's University
Tyler Junior College
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Houston Health Science Center
Wharton County Junior College

Professional Associations
American Dental Hygienists' Association (AHA)
444 North Michigan Ave., Ste. 3400
Chicago, IL 60611-3902
312/440-8900

Texas Dental Association
P.O. Box 3358
Austin, TX 78764-3358
512/443-3675
Fax: 512/443-3031