Description

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

Interests

Social
Realistic
Investigative
Conventional

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Work Values

Relationships
Support
Independence

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Work Styles

Concern for Others
Integrity
Dependability
Cooperation
Self-Control

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Tasks

Record and review patient medical histories.
Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.

Work Activities

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Assisting and Caring for Others
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Documenting/Recording Information
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Detailed Work Activities

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Technology Skills

Medical software
Spreadsheet software
Electronic mail software
Accounting software
Office suite software

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness
Finger Dexterity
Near Vision
Problem Sensitivity
Oral Comprehension

Skills

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Monitoring
Service Orientation

Knowledge

Medicine and Dentistry
Customer and Personal Service
Psychology

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Dental Hygienists:

Certificate name

Certified Dental Technician - Complete Dentures

Certifying Organization