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Who is a dental hygienist? 

Dental hygienists are oral health specialists who mainly focus on preventative care. They are skilled professionals at the forefront of preventing and treating oral diseases. Hygienists work collaboratively with dentists to ensure the overall dental well-being of patients. Dental hygienists are adept at conducting oral examinations and providing dental care that is not just preventative but also important for maintaining healthy teeth. They help spread awareness about healthy dental habits and routines that one must follow to maintain optimal oral health. 

Dental hygienists can offer painless and effective treatments, assess a patient's oral tissues, and perform examinations and diagnostic tests to help other dental professionals. They also provide temporary fillings, periodontal dressings, and polish restorations. Dental hygienists can function as the ideal precursors to a dentist appointment. To avoid severe dental issues, you can regularly visit a dental hygienist to maintain and prevent your dental health from deteriorating. Medical professionals usually recommend seeing a dental hygienist once every six months. 

How are dental hygienists different from dental assistants?

Both dental hygienists and dental assistants support dentists in caring for your oral health. While the former specializes in cleaning your teeth, the latter helps dentists complete treatments like crowns, fillings, veneers, and other cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures more promptly and efficiently. 

Dental assistants can complete programs that last from a few weeks to 6-9 months to practice. Certain US states require them to pass specific exams or take continuing education courses. On the other hand, dental hygienists complete at least an associate program, and some dental practices require them to have a bachelor's degree. The programs take 2-4 years to complete, depending on the degree.

Education and training required to be a dental hygienist 

A dental hygienist's schooling comprises years of education and training. An associate's degree or certification in dental hygiene is the minimum education requirement to work as a dental hygienist. You must complete fundamental courses and an internship in a dental office for both programs. These courses teach you about dental anatomy, oral radiography, dental materials, pharmacology, and oral microbiology. 

As the student completes the academic requisites of becoming a dental hygienist, they can apply for a board certification exam to practice. The students must clear the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, and some states also require medical professionals to pass a clinical exam before applying for state licensure. The licensure requirements differ in each state and can have a different application process in the state's dental board.   

How can dental hygienists help you? 

During a dental hygienist's schooling, they acquire training in several areas. They are skilled in performing various procedures that help establish the foundation of good oral health. Before visiting a dental hygienist near you, knowing precisely how they can help you can be beneficial. Some of the procedures that dental hygienists can perform are: 

• Fluoride treatment: Fluoride strengthens teeth and fortifies them against acid erosion. This not only helps prevent decay but can also reverse it in some cases. 
• Dental cleanings: This is one of the most common procedures dental hygienists offer. A dental cleaning helps remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth to prevent cavities, decay, and tooth loss. 
• Screening patients: Dental hygienists thoroughly examine patients to check for oral illness and tooth decay before the dentist performs any work. A hygienist can spot issues by conducting a quick examination of the head, neck, and mouth.
• Dental X-rays: Hygienists can perform dental scans to look for any developing issues and treat them before they become severe. 
• Fixing sealants: Sealants help prevent decay in specific mouth regions, especially in children. An acrylic-like substance known as a dental sealant aids in safeguarding the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
• Oral health screenings: Dental hygienists also perform routine oral health screenings, during which they check for signs of cavities, gum inflammation, oral cancer, and other concerns and report their findings to the dentist. These screenings help identify issues early on and prevent them from worsening.
• Administering local anesthesia: In several US states, dental hygienists can administer local anesthesia injections to numb your mouth and keep you comfortable during your procedure.

Additionally, dental hygienists can explain proper brushing and flossing techniques tailored to your needs. For instance, if you have a dental bridge, they can demonstrate how to clean underneath it, and if you have dental implants, they can suggest certain products and brushes to clean them more effectively.

Reasons to visit a dental hygienist

Taking care of your teeth involves more than just brushing and flossing. Regular visits to a dental hygienist offer professional care that helps prevent serious oral and general health issues. Below are key reasons why these visits are important:

Preventing gum disease

Gum disease can cause swollen, bleeding gums, bad breath, and even tooth loss. If identified early, it can be treated effectively. A dental hygienist assists in eliminating plaque and tartar accumulation on your teeth that contributes to gum disease.

Controlling bad breath

Persistent bad breath may be caused by bacteria hidden deep below the gumline. A hygienist uses special tools to clean these areas thoroughly, helping eliminate the source of the odor that brushing alone cannot reach.

Achieving a whiter smile

Stains from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco often cling to the surface of your teeth. Regular brushing may not remove them, but dental hygienists can help polish and brighten your smile by removing these stains.

Preventing systemic diseases

Inadequate dental care has been associated with serious illnesses that can affect the heart, blood sugar levels, and the respiratory system. Practicing good oral hygiene may help reduce the risk of these conditions.

Screening for oral cancer

During your appointment, a hygienist checks for signs of oral cancer. This condition is highly curable when caught in its early stages, making regular screenings extremely important.

Treating bleeding gums

Gums that bleed frequently can be an early indicator of developing gum disease. A hygienist can clean hard deposits and guide you on better brushing and flossing techniques to prevent recurrence.

Boosting confidence

A clean and healthy smile makes you look and feel better, boosting your self-esteem and confidence in daily life.

Preventing tooth loss

In adults, tooth loss most commonly results from advanced gum disease. As the condition worsens, teeth may become loose or infected. Routine dental cleanings are important in maintaining and protecting your natural teeth.

Getting personalized advice

If your oral health is good, your hygienist may recommend cleanings twice a year. For those more prone to gum issues, more frequent visits might be advised to maintain oral health.

How to find the best dental hygienist near you?

Visiting a dental hygienist is critical to the dental health and overall well-being of you and your family. They provide preventative oral care, diagnosis, and treatment to people of all ages. Depending on your issue, a hygienist may prescribe minor lifestyle changes or a cleaning procedure, sealant, etc. Choosing a qualified and experienced dental hygienist in your area can be challenging. Furthermore, finding one that is an in-network provider can be even more difficult. Worry not! Zocdoc is an easy solution to your problems. 

Through Zocdoc, you can access an open directory of the best healthcare providers around you. Moreover, you can even filter the search results based on the language the doctor speaks, available appointment timings, etc. You can find area-specific results and access verified user ratings and reviews, giving you a transparent understanding of the kind of healthcare the particular provider offers. Zocdoc turns your search for an ideal dental hygienist near you into a frictionless process. 

Each healthcare provider also has their professional information on their profile that you can easily access. Zocdoc lets you read about the dental hygienist's schooling, certification, experience, expertise, clinical interests, and more. You won't have to search for a dental hygienist on different sites or ask multiple people. Before an in-person visit, you can even schedule a virtual appointment to make an informed decision. Zocdoc is the one-stop solution to bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers. 

Using Zocdoc's insurance detector, you can easily identify in-network doctors. If you do not see your plan listed, try taking a picture of your medical insurance card and uploading it. The website will automatically scan the image and show you your most likely plan. You can get in touch with Zocdoc's service team if you face any problems uploading the picture. Check Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related queries. 

Through Zocdoc, you can search for the perfect dental hygienist near you to cater to your oral needs from the comfort of your home. Hence, booking appointments with providers on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and 100% free!

Statistics on dental hygiene

A Data USA report states that, in 2020, the number of dental hygienists actively working in the country was around 186,800. The May 2022 data by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the highest employment level for dental hygienists in the country was in California, followed by New York, and then Florida.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information reported that COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the practicing hygienists in the country. Despite the recovery in patient volume, a decline in the number of dental hygienists emerged. As of August 2021, about 4.9% of the participants reported not currently being employed as dental hygienists. Roughly 74.1% of the participants revealed that their decision to be unemployed was voluntary. The main reason included safety concerns for themselves and the people around them.

The 2022 data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that around 64% of adults aged 18 and older have undergone a dental exam or cleaning within the past year. Additionally, about 86.9% of children aged 2-17 had a dental visit. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research stated that tooth decay affects roughly 90% of adults aged 20 to 64, and gum disease, which affects almost 50% of adults aged 45 to 64, remains two of the most prevalent oral diseases.

Sources

ExploreHealthCareers.org

Regis

Learn.org

Regent Dental Centre

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

PubMed

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Data USA

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Dental Assisting National Board[1]

Dental Assisting National Board[2]

Kids Pediatric Dentistry

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.