What exactly is a Registered Dental Hygienist?
Under the direction of a licensed dentist the hygienist may instruct patients in oral health education, perform oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing of the teeth), expose, process and mount x-ray films, give fluoride treatments and apply sealants, take impressions, assist the dentist, and collect medical/dental history data from the client. The majority of dental hygienists are employed in dental offices. Opportunities also exist in public schools, public health, professional schools, dental sales, research and expanded duties.
