A critical member of your dental care team is the dental hygienist. A dental hygienist’s primary role is to clean your teeth and to provide oral health education, including education on ways to improve your oral health. They also take dental x-rays and can administer fluoride and sealant treatments. In some states, dental hygienists can administer local anesthesia.1
The dental hygienist works closely with your dentist, providing your dentist with observations they make on your oral health based on your dental cleanings.
Prevention, early detection and peace of mind are part of what your hygienist makes possible with proactive, professional care.
Education and Credentials
In most states, dental hygienists must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, with most earning an associate degree in dental hygiene. 2 This associate degree typically takes two to three years of study which includes classroom instruction, laboratory study and clinical instruction.
Coursework includes topics such as anatomy, periodontics (the study of gum disease), medical ethics and other topics.3 Upon graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program a dental hygienist must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), which is a 350-question test which takes about nine hours to complete.
After successfully passing the NBDHE, the hygienist must complete a clinical / practical exam, which is a hands-on assessment of their clinical skills. The assessment is done on live patients or manikins that simulate live patients. If the prospective hygienist doesn’t pass the exam they can only retake the exam once more.
Before practicing, a dental hygienist must be licensed in the state in which they are practicing. Re-licensure is required every three to five years, depending on the state and requires that the hygienist complete a certain amount of continuing education. Many dental hygienists are also certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
More than Teeth Cleaning
Your dental hygienist can tell a lot about your overall health and your oral health habits just by what they observe when cleaning your teeth. Research indicates that there is a link between oral wellness and overall wellness and that small changes in oral care can impact overall health.
Gum condition, for example, can indicate if a patient flosses their teeth regularly. Bleeding gums, especially between teeth, indicate that plaque and bacteria have been accumulating.4
Hygienists can also tell if you grind or clench your teeth, if you are dehydrated, if you smoke, if you have bulimia or struggle with acid reflux, and if you are a mouth breather or have a sleep disorder.5 Your diet is also reflected by your oral health and a hygienist can tell if you snack frequently or drink beverages that are acidic or stain your teeth.
While these conditions can all affect your oral health, hygienists can provide education on proper oral hygiene to help minimize or eliminate any issues.
Hygienists are focused on helping, not on judging, and can serve as a great source of education to help improve your oral health. Together with your dentist and other dental health professionals the dental hygienist is dedicated to helping each patient achieve their best oral health and enjoy overall health and wellbeing.
Dental Care in Commerce Township You Can Feel Good About
The dental staff at Sedki Dentistry are excited to help you achieve incredible oral health. Our full-service dental clinic addresses all areas of dental health from cleanings and whitening to cosmetic dentistry and dental treatments that will impeccably restore your smile. Call to schedule a Free dental consultation today!
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1 Dental Hygienist
Link: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/dental-hygienist
2. 3 How to Become A Dental Hygienist: A Step-By-Step Guide by Garrett Andrews, 7/11/2024
Link: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/healthcare/how-to-become-a-dental-hygienist/
4What Dental Hygienists Can Tell About You Just by Looking In Your Mouth by Caroline Bologna, 5/21/2025
Link: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-dental-hygienists-know-from-mouth_l_681a8654e4b0c2b15d969f84