Individuals in this specialized role have the responsibility of taking care of the treatment and care of the mouth, gums and teeth. With more people becoming aware about dental hygiene’s importance, hygienists are in demand. The work can be carried out in the laboratory or with the patient.
It is the dental hygienist’s duty to inform patients about good dental habits, the importance of looking after teeth correctly and things that can be harmful for your teeth, as well as assisting dentists in diagnosing dental problems and serious problems such as oral cancer.
A person in this role must have hand finger dexterity, speech clarity, control precision and inductive reasoning. An associate degree from an accredited dental program is a minimum requirement for the role, and a licensing exam must be passed as well.
A dental hygienist will regularly work eight-hour days or 40 hours per week in a dental office. Others in the role may be employed by hospitals, research laboratories and schools. The earnings in the position range from C
$30,000 to C
$50,000 in Canada.