What Does a Dental Hygienist Actually Do?

A dental appointment may look like one person cleaning teeth under a bright light. The hygienist is also gathering information, watching tissue, recording findings, controlling infection risks, using precise instruments, and communicating with the dentist and patient. The cleaning is visible. Inside this episode: - Preparing A Safe Workspace - Assessing Oral Health - Removing Deposits - Communicating With The Patient - Working With The Dentist Sources include the references linked below. Sources and further reading: - [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dental Hygienists](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm) - [O*NET OnLine, Dental Hygienists](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1292.00) This is a general educational overview. Duties, qualifications, licensing, pay, schedules, and hiring conditions vary by employer, location, and time. Follow Careers Explained for another realistic tour of how a job works.