A Day in The Life of a Dental Hygienist

Being a dental hygienist has its own set of unique challenges! Dental hygienists typically start the day rather early in the morning, by about half an hour before the first appointment. That is because they have to prepare the dental operatory and dental chair for all the treatments planned for the day. For this purpose, hygienists review the dental and medical history of each patient due that day in addition to the procedure that has been planned for them. Each patient needs to be given unique treatment according his/her dental condition, and the treatment room must be ready for that treatment before the patients start coming in.

Preparing the Treatment Room

Preparation of the treatment room starts with a thorough wipe down and disinfection of all surfaces. The instruments, for example, the dental examination sets, ultrasonic scalers, polishing tools etc. are properly disinfected and made ready for use during the entire day. Materials and chemicals needed during the day’s list, like abrasives, bleaches, fluorides and sealants must be available readily and in sufficient quantity to ensure smooth and uninterrupted treatment of each patient. Similarly, the hygienist must also ensure the ready availability of things like gauze, cotton balls, and other such items normally needed during the treatment. The hygienist also makes sure equipment like X-ray, the lead aprons, and other safety equipment are available and ready.

Dealing with the Patients

Dealing with the patients is a very enjoyable, but occasionally sensitive exercise demanding understanding, compassion, and tact. Some patients, especially the first-timers come with a good bit of apprehensions about what will happen to them. Room decoration must be in place to make the patient feel at home and comfortable. The day’s newspapers, fashion magazines, and TV help divert the attention of the patient.

When children are on the list they need special attention. A very polite, smiling and caring attitude, along with attractive toys and videos on the screen will make them cooperate during the treatment. Senior citizens need extra compassion. Normally they respond very well to courtesy and compassion, but some can be difficult. The hygienist must keep a smiling face and act kindly. The hygienist must treat the patients in such a manner that they are soothed, and love to come back to him or her.

Treating and Educating the Patients

The treatment will most often be simple cleaning of teeth, while some cases may require more specific treatment, like fluoride application. Most patients will need to be X-rayed, although these X-rays are normally for monitoring and record purposes only. A very essential part of the hygienists duty is education of the patient on oral hygiene. The hygienist must explain to them the need for regular oral hygiene. He or she must explain what this regular hygiene comprises of. This is a sensitive duty. Some people may not like being ‘lectured’. A good hygienist will do it in a very discrete, conversational manner.

When the hygienist has completed the treatment, the patient will normally meet the dentist for a quick examination. The dentist may have some points for the hygienist, and a discussion between the hygienist and the dentist follows about the patient. Each patient’s current dental and medical history are reviewed between the two in depth. Following this review the hygienist attends the same patient again. Need for any further treatment is explained, and an appointment is given if required. That completes the treatment of one patient.

And There's More....!!!

The job of the hygienist does not end with the departure of the patient. He or she must get ready for the next patient who may be already waiting for his or her turn. The treatment room and the instruments are cleaned and disinfected for possible reuse on subsequent patients. The hygienist looks at the file of the next patient and prepares the Instruments and materials required for the specific treatment required by the next patient. Thus, the next patient is treated and the cycle continues over, and over again.

Isn’t the Routine of a Dental Hygienist Monotonous?

The routine of the hygienist may appear to be tiring and boring, but it is not. The hygienist gets to see a variety of personalities during the day, and with the right attitude and tact can learn to enjoy the job. The patients are not objects like teeth. They are humans with rich and different personalities. Some are very loveable, and you enjoy dealing with them. Others may be very difficult indeed, and will test your patience and politeness.

But a large majority will lie between these two extremes. If hygienists realize that the ‘difficult’ people may owe this to age and adverse personal circumstances, they will take pleasure in being nice with them. The feeling that they are helping humanity, relieving suffering, and promoting health and joy, keeps the dental hygienist in high spirits through busy and difficult days.

A Dental Hygienist Learns New Things Each Day!

At the same time the hygienists, like most people in the medical profession have a chance for self-improvement. Contact with people of all intellectual levels, ages, financial status, and widely varying temperaments help them in learning how to interact with people. With the passage of time, their interpersonal skills improve markedly they become a very successful manager of people. Of course, the pleasure of serving humanity while earning a dental hygienist’s salary is also there!

So What’s the Difference Between a Dental Hygienist and a Dental Assistant?

Having read the above narrative, you might think that a dental hygienist is the same as a dental assistant in a dental office. That is not true. There are clear differences between a dental hygienist and a dental assistant:

• Skills and Qualification – A dental hygienist who intends to practice in any State must be qualified from one of the dental hygiene schools that are recognized by his or her respective State of residence. The requirement for working as a dental assistant are different.
• Education - Dental hygienists fo through a much more rigorous educational process than dental assistants. For example, after taking 8-10 prerequisite classes, prospective students must then take a 2 year course of studies at one of the 28 dental hygiene schools in California.
• Nature of Job – Perhaps the biggest difference between a dental hygienist and a dental assistant is that the dental assistant assists the dentist directly, conducting office tasks, and performing small jobs on patients under the direct supervision of the dentist. The dental hygienist works on the patient independently due to the specific education he or she has received. His work may be reviewed by the dentist later.
• The median annual dental hygienist salary is $71,520 while that of the dental assistant is about half of that. If you are thinking of becoming a dental hygienist, then believe me, it’s a great idea! Not only will you be practicing an excellent profession, but you will also get a chance to help people around you, make new friends and learn new skills!