What do Dental Hygienists do?

Perform oral health care assessments including reviewing patients’ health history, dental and periodontal (gum) charting, oral cancer screening

Expose, process and interpret dental X-rays

Remove plaque and tartar (soft and hard deposits) from above and below the gum line

Apply cavity-preventive agents like fluorides and sealants to the teeth

Teach patients proper oral hygiene  to maintain good oral health

Counsel patients about plaque control and develop at-home oral hygiene programs

Can dental hygienists practice on their own?

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) defines direct access as the ability of a dental hygienist to initiate treatment based on their assessment of a patient’s needs without the specific authorization of a dentist, treat the patient without the presence of a dentist, and maintain a provider-patient relationship

Unsupervised Practice: There is no requirement that a dentist must authorize or supervise most dental hygiene services. Dental hygienist may also own a dental hygiene practice. Requirements: None. *Provider Services: Dental hygienist can provide dental hygiene diagnosis, radiographs, remove deposits, accretions, and stains, curettage without anesthesia, apply fluorides and other recognized preventive agents, topical anesthetic, oral inspection and charting

What do Dental Hygienist do