A Day in the Life of a Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists are beloved members of the dental family and carry a role that is crucial to optimal oral health. Hygienists are generally described as having great knowledge of oral health and a warm and friendly disposition, but few people actually know what the day-to-day life of a dental hygienist entails.

What Does It Take to Become a Dental Hygienist?

If you have an interest in a career in dental health, the first step is to obtain your dental hygienist education requirements. Most dental hygienists complete an Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene (an Associate's degree at an accredited dental hygiene program is required) and then they need to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). When approved by a clinical board examination for your home region or state, you can then find a dental practice to work for! (Note that dental hygiene roles can differ between various states and industries, so be sure to check your specific state requirements before starting the journey!)

What Do Dental Hygienists Really Do?

Dental hygienists play a pivotal role in the dental office and in each patient’s overall oral health and well-being as they perform routine care, discuss preventative oral care measures, and screen for various dental diseases. Dental hygienists are valued members of the dental practice who create a warm and welcoming environment for patients while assisting dentists in oral health exams. Hygienists put patients at ease during dental procedures and offer educational, clinical, and consultative dental services. Hygienists are well-known for taking on regular dental cleanings during bi-annual appointments. They will use a variety of technology, tools, and techniques to check for cavities and clean teeth by removing tartar, stains, and plaque to improve oral health.

What Are the Daily Job Responsibilities of a Dental Hygienist?

Beyond cleaning teeth and assisting doctors, dental hygienists will stay busy throughout the day preparing treatment rooms for patients and adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols. When patients arrive, hygienists will welcome them back to the operatory and ensure they are comfortable and at ease before the examination. When the examination begins, hygienists will complete the dental prophylaxis and scaling/root planning by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins. Hygienists are trained to spot and detect any potential dental issues and diseases by completing oral cancer screenings, feeling and visually examining gums, using probes to locate periodontal disease, assessing levels of recession, and exposing and developing radiographic studies.

Interested in Becoming a MINT Dentistry Dental Hygienist?

Overall, the dental hygienist position is crucial to the patient experience and dental service. If you are passionate about oral health and are interested in joining the dental profession — find out more about becoming a registered dental hygienist today. MINT Hygienists are valued members of the MINT family who put our patients at ease by working alongside our team of doctors to provide the highest quality of oral health care. MINT Dentistry is always seeking highly-motivated, registered dental hygienists to join our team.

MINT dentistry offers a great insurance benefits package, internal dental benefits, and more. We value a diverse workplace and promote career advancement, professional development, and promotion potential — where there is always room to grow. If you have a heart to serve others, a passion to use your gifts for good, and a drive to grow your potential in the dental field – call us today. We have a job position with your name on it.

Apply today at mintdentistrycareers.com.

"The starting pay at MINT is higher than any starting pay I've ever been offered before. A lot of other dental companies are commission-based, so you're having to push things on people that they don't necessarily want or need. The MINT bonuses make it worth it because you're not having to con a patient into buying special toothpaste, fluoride, or cancer screenings. It's all stuff we do complimentary here — so the patients are getting what they need and we're also being taken care of financially. MINT gives me the ability to genuinely care for patients because MINT genuinely cares for me." - Victoria Pratt, Lead Hygienist Terrell, TX