Dental Hygienists

The work

Core tasks

1. 01Record and review patient medical histories.
2. 02Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
3. 03Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
4. 04Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
5. 05Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
6. 06Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
7. 07Expose and develop x-ray film.
8. 08Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
9. 09Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
10. 10Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
11. 11Maintain patient recall system.
12. 12Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading