How to Be Clinical Dental Hygienist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 27, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Clinical Dental Hygienists are specialized health care professionals who provide preventative oral care for their patients. They play a critical role in promoting good oral hygiene and health, as poor oral hygiene can lead to a host of dental and medical problems. The primary responsibility of a Clinical Dental Hygienist is to remove plaque, tartar and stains from the teeth and gums with the use of specialized equipment and techniques such as scaling and polishing.

This helps prevent the buildup of plaque, which can lead to periodontal diseases, tooth decay, and other serious health complications. Through regular preventive care, Clinical Dental Hygienists can detect and treat early signs of periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues before they become more severe. They also offer counseling on proper brushing, flossing, and diet to help their patients maintain good oral hygiene.

In this way, Clinical Dental Hygienists are essential in keeping their patients teeth and gums healthy, which can have a positive impact on overall health and wellbeing.

Steps How to Become

Earn a High School Diploma or GED. The first step to becoming a dental hygienist is to earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete an Associates Degree Program. The next step is to complete an associates degree program in dental hygiene. This typically takes two years to complete.
Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam. After graduating from an accredited program, dental hygienists must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. This is a comprehensive exam that tests knowledge in areas such as anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, and nutrition.
Obtain a State License. Each state requires dental hygienists to obtain a license to practice in the state. Licensing requirements vary by state, but generally require applicants to pass a written and practical exam.
Become Certified in Clinical Dental Hygiene. To become certified in clinical dental hygiene, dental hygienists must complete an additional educational program and pass an examination. This certification is not required for all states, but it can be beneficial for those who want to specialize in clinical dental hygiene.
Maintain Certification. After becoming certified in clinical dental hygiene, it is important to maintain your certification by taking continuing education courses and re-certifying when necessary.

The clinical dental hygienist must stay up to date and capable in order to provide the best possible care for their patients. To ensure this, the hygienist should maintain an active membership in professional organizations and attend continuing education courses. By doing so, they can stay abreast of the latest advances in the field and gain access to the latest resources to help them provide the best possible service.

staying up to date on new techniques and technologies can help the hygienist remain competent in their work and provide top-notch care to their patients. staying informed, up-to-date, and capable helps the clinical dental hygienist deliver the best possible care to their patients and help them maintain good oral health.

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Job Description

Examine patients teeth and gums for signs of oral disease
Take and develop x-rays
Clean and polish teeth
Remove deposits and stains from teeth
Apply preventive materials such as sealants and fluorides to teeth
Remove plaque and tartar from teeth
Educate patients on good oral hygiene practices
Provide periodontal therapy
Record and review patient medical histories
Recommend treatment plans for effective dental care

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of dental anatomy and physiology
Knowledge of oral pathology and associated diseases
Knowledge of dental materials and instrumentation
Knowledge of preventive dentistry
Knowledge of dental radiography
Knowledge of infection control measures and safety protocols
Ability to conduct dental examinations and charting
Ability to identify caries, periodontal disease, occlusal disease, and other oral health defects
Ability to remove plaque, calculus, and stains from teeth
Ability to apply fluoride treatments and sealants
Skill in taking oral impressions for study casts
Skill in educating patients about their oral health needs and preventive measures
Knowledge of current dental hygiene practice standards
Ability to work as part of a healthcare team
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and ethical standards
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Clinical dental hygiene is a highly specialized and important profession that requires extensive knowledge and skill. A successful clinical dental hygienist must possess excellent communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, as well as a strong understanding of oral health care. They must also be able to effectively assess a patients oral health and provide appropriate preventative treatments, including teeth cleaning, scaling, polishing, fluoride treatments, and patient education.

In addition, they must be knowledgeable about the use of dental x-rays, anesthesia, and other tools and techniques used in providing dental care. The ability to work collaboratively with dentists, patients, and other healthcare professionals is essential to ensure effective, efficient, and safe care. the most important skill for a clinical dental hygienist to have is the ability to perform all of these tasks with a high level of professionalism and compassion.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the field of dental hygiene?
How do you handle a challenging patient?
Describe a dental hygiene procedure that you are particularly proud of.
What techniques do you use to ensure accuracy and safety when providing dental hygiene services?
How do you ensure patient comfort and satisfaction?
What strategies do you use to build trust with patients?
How do you stay up to date on dental hygiene procedures and techniques?
Describe how you collaborate with other healthcare professionals in providing dental hygiene services.
How do you handle a difficult situation with a patient or other healthcare provider?
How do you handle stressful situations in the workplace?

Common Tools in Industry

Ultrasonic Scaler. A tool used to remove plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. (e. g. Cavitron Ultrasonic Scaler)
Prophy Angle. A hand-held device used for polishing surfaces of the teeth. (e. g. Dentsply Prophy Angle)
Oral Irrigator. A tool used to flush out bacteria and debris from the mouth. (e. g. Waterpik Oral Irrigator)
X-Ray Machine. A device used to take X-ray images of the teeth and jawbone. (e. g. E-Woo X-Ray Machine)
Dental Mirror. A small mirror used to inspect hard-to-see areas of the mouth. (e. g. Hu-Friedy Dental Mirror)
Cavitron Inserts. Different shaped attachments that attach to the ultrasonic scaler for different purposes. (e. g. Hu-Friedy Cavitron Inserts)
Curettes. A handheld instrument used to remove calculus and plaque from the teeth. (e. g. Hu-Friedy Curettes)
Air Polisher. A tool used to deliver a stream of air and sodium bicarbonate to polish the teeth. (e. g. Airflow Polisher)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Dental Hygienists Association
American Academy of Dental Hygiene
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy
World Federation of Dental Hygienists
International Federation of Dental Hygienists
European Federation of Periodontology
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
American Association of Public Health Dentistry
American Association for Dental Research

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Common Important Terms

Periodontics. A branch of dentistry that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the gums, teeth, and other structures surrounding and supporting the teeth.
Prophylaxis. The cleaning of a patients teeth to prevent the buildup of plaque and calculus and reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
Scaling. A procedure by which dental hygienists remove tartar, plaque, and discoloration from teeth using ultrasonic instruments and hand instruments.
Root Planing. A procedure used to treat periodontal disease. It involves the smoothing of the root surfaces of a tooth to remove bacteria and toxins and encourage reattachment of the gum tissue to the tooth.
Oral Health Education. A process by which dental hygienists teach patients about proper oral hygiene, nutrition, and prevention of oral diseases.
Fluoride Therapy. The use of fluoride to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and making it more resistant to acid attacks.
Sealants. A thin plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to prevent cavities.
X-rays. Radiographs used to detect tooth decay, periodontal disease, misalignments, and other abnormalities that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Clinical Dental Hygienist?

A Clinical Dental Hygienist is a dental healthcare professional who specializes in preventive oral health, providing patient care including teeth cleaning, taking and developing dental x-rays, and educating patients on proper oral hygiene.

What qualifications are required to become a Clinical Dental Hygienist?

To become a Clinical Dental Hygienist, you must have an Associates degree in Dental Hygiene from an accredited school, and be licensed in your state.

How much does a Clinical Dental Hygienist earn?

The average salary for a Clinical Dental Hygienist is $75,500 per year.

What type of environment does a Clinical Dental Hygienist work in?

Clinical Dental Hygienists typically work in a dental office or clinic, in collaboration with other dental professionals.

What are the primary duties of a Clinical Dental Hygienist?

The primary duties of a Clinical Dental Hygienist include performing patient assessments, teeth cleaning, taking and developing x-rays, educating patients on oral hygiene, and providing preventative treatments such as sealants and fluoride therapies.