An open, thriving and interesting career path is that of dental hygienist. With a degree from an accredited dental hygiene school and a license to practice in the state you are considering working in, you will be able to embark on a wonderful journey which will be prosperous and challenging. However, one important question to ask before dedicating yourself to this dental profession is what do dental hygienists do?

A dental hygienist is not a dentist. However, they are more like an apprentice to a dentist as they usually work side by side with a dentist. The main duties of a dental hygienist is to remove the hard or soft deposits of plaque that have formed on the patent's teeth and look over the patient's teeth to determine if there are any dental problems or possible diagnosis of a forming dental disease.

Another large part of being a dental hygienist is to help patient's learn more about dental health and good oral hygiene. Many patients that walk into a dentist office do not know much about oral hygiene at all. However, there is a technique and a routine that is involved in good dental hygiene. Therefore, many dental hygienists take the time to explain to patients how to brush their teeth, the importance of flossing and how to floss, the purpose of mouthwash, how many times a day and when patients should brush their teeth, etc.

Since a dental hygienist performs a variety of diverse tasks, this means that they are skilled with multiple dental tools and instruments which are necessary to complete their job. When a dental hygienist performs a dental cleaning by removing plaque, he or she often uses a variety of ultrasonic devices and hand and rotary instruments in order to complete the task. Theses instruments are fundamental to removing hardened plaque, any stains and/ or calculus that may have formed in order to give the teeth a clean and polished appearance.

In order to determine if there are any oral diseases forming, many dental hygienists use x ray machines in order to get a closer look at what is going on the patient's mouth. They will also take these x rays for the dentists. While explaining about good oral health, a dental hygienist will also use model teeth, dental floss and toothbrushes to demonstrate to a patient how one should brush his or her teeth.

Depending on where you are thinking about practicing, some dental hygienists are able to administer different types of anesthetics before a patient submits to dental procedure such as filling a cavity. Once again, depending on the dental laws of the state, some dental hygienists are even allowed to prepare and fill cavities, periodontal dressings, perfecting restorations and more.

Dental hygienists have many important responsibilities within the walls of a dentist's office. They are an invaluable part of a dental staff and do not just sit on the sidelines. Dental hygienists are active in their duties and are and an indispensable member of any dental office staff.