Dental hygiene is an incredibly important discipline. It reveals the power of preventative care to improve not only oral health, but also quality of life. It also influences the flow and even the profitability of the modern dental practice. Dental hygiene provides a consistent source of revenue and also keeps dental practices top of mind when patients require extra care.
There’s far more to this field than polishing teeth. It’s a precise, detail-oriented discipline that requires a wealth of clinical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills. Meanwhile, the day-to-day changes of the dental environment call for adaptability without sacrificing consistency as it relates to compliance, ethics, safety protocols, and other standards of care.
It may seem like a lot to handle, but with targeted training and hands-on learning opportunities, future dental hygienists can rise to the occasion. Carrington College offers a Dental Hygiene Associate Degree to help support your career path.
A Day in the Life of a Dental Hygienist
Ask a typical patient what a dental hygienist does, and you might hear about cleaning or polishing teeth. These widely familiar dental hygienist job duties and responsibilities are certainly essential, but they do not tell the full story.
So, what does a dental hygienist do? These licensed professionals tackle a wide range of responsibilities that go beyond cleaning to include assessments, therapeutic procedures, and even patient education.[1] They work collaboratively with dentists and dental assistants to keep practices running smoothly, all while making their own crucial contributions to the overall health, wellness, comfort, and safety of their patients.
Preparing for Patient Appointments
Dental hygienists’ role in shaping oral care begins long before patients actually show up at the clinic for their appointments. There’s far more preparatory work required than many people realize, all with the goal of keeping patients safe and comfortable when they’re present. Essentials include:
- Reviewing patient charts and medical histories. Detailed patient charts include a wealth of important information that can help dental hygienists understand their unique needs before they even arrive. This information helps hygienists prepare accordingly, taking special steps to accommodate patients and to ensure that later assessments touch on the most crucial concerns.
- Preparing exam rooms. While dental assistants are at the forefront of maintaining infection control, hygienists also contribute to the cleanliness and organization of the exam room by verifying that sterilization standards have been met and that equipment and dental instruments are ready for use.
- Following safety protocols. Infection control represents just one component of patient safety. Dental hygienists must also prepare for appointments by following strict hand hygiene and PPE (personal protective equipment) requirements. Radiation safety is also prioritized, with lead aprons, thyroid collars, and the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) minimizing radiation exposure.
Conducting Oral Health Assessments
An oral health assessment is a critical part of dental care. This provides a baseline of knowledge regarding patient symptoms and risk factors. Key elements of the hygienist-led assessment include:
- Perform initial screenings. Details observed and recorded by dental hygienists support dentists’ diagnoses. During detail-oriented screenings, hygienists search for signs of decay, along with additional concerns that might be addressed through preventative treatments or restorative care.
- Apply fluoride and sealants. Fluoride strengthens dental enamel and prevents tooth decay. During routine appointments, hygienists may apply fluoride varnish or even place fissure sealants to help protect patients’ teeth.
- Periodontal probing. Providing a closer look at gum health, periodontal probing reveals the depths of the gum pockets. These details help hygienists and dentists identify early issues such as gingivitis.[2]
Performing Preventive and Therapeutic Procedures
Dental hygienists are at the forefront of preventative care. Their routine practices strengthen enamel, reduce plaque, and prevent cavities. Essentials include:
- Routine cleaning. Known formally as prophylaxis, fundamental cleaning processes remove plaque and polish surfaces. These cleanings will ideally take place every six months.
- Root planing and plaque removal. Deep cleaning targets plaque (or even tartar) below the gumline, addressing the buildup of bacteria, especially for patients with a history of periodontal issues.[3]
- Full mouth debridement. While prophylaxis should be sufficient for most patients, some require more extensive treatments that address hardened deposits and the heavy accumulation of plaque.[4]
Throughout these tasks, dental hygienists must abide by the dental hygiene process of care:[5]
- Assessing. Centered around gathering information, this phase prioritizes understanding: gaining clarity about the patient’s current concerns and highlighting factors that might influence treatments.
- Diagnosing. Not to be confused with the dentist’s official diagnosis, the dental hygienist’s version of a diagnosis emphasizes risk factors and hygiene-related oral health concerns.
- Planning. Detailed care plans provide blueprints that help dental hygienists and patients work together to improve oral health.
- Implementing. Providing the chance to put dental plans into action, this phase often involves the hygiene-related tasks that patients are likely to recognize, such as cleaning or fluoride application.
- Evaluating. Dental hygienists continue to monitor patients, with the goal of catching evolving issues early on. These insights can inform care plan modifications, including adjustments to preventative strategies if needed.
Educating Patients and Promoting Oral Health
Dental hygienists help patients understand the value of regular cleanings and also empower them to take charge of their own oral health.[6] They dispel misconceptions about brushing and flossing and may also address the impact of nutrition or tobacco use. Education is not limited to direct interactions during appointments. Dental hygienists also support community initiatives that raise awareness about oral health and highlight the need for preventative services.
Collaborating with the Dental Team
Dental hygiene is a deeply collaborative practice that calls for frequent interactions with dentists, dental assistants, or office staff. This is where teamwork skills can make a world of difference, contributing to the smooth flow of the dental practice and even improving workplace morale. Dental hygienists should also be prepared to provide input based on their observations and expertise.
Administrative and Continuing Education Responsibilities
As the dental profession evolves, dental hygienists are expected to keep up with changing technologies, which influence how they care for patients and even shape the future of documentation. Dental hygienists support long-term compliance and continuity of care by contributing to detailed patient records. Continuing education touches on both the administrative and clinical aspects of dental hygiene, helping hygienists continue to build and refine their skills.
Skills for Success in Dental Hygiene
The sheer range of dental hygienist duties means that training must be comprehensive, covering a variety of technical skills along with interpersonal and even administrative abilities.[7] A deep understanding of ethics and compliance must underscore all this.
At Carrington College, the Associate’s in Dental Hygiene provides a well-rounded educational experience, placing an emphasis on these career-driven essentials:
- Technical proficiency. Advanced technologies make it easier to track patient information and spot oral health concerns, but dental hygienists must still develop hands-on abilities that promote precision in dental cleanings and other preventative measures. At Carrington College, these technical competencies can be gained through repeated lab experiences and even clinical hours.
- Communication. Effective communication involves not only empathy and emotional intelligence[8] (which are crucial for relating to patients), but also a strong understanding of dental terminology, which helps hygienists share critical information with dentists or dental assistants. Carrington College promotes strong communication through class discussions and applied experiences that reveal the value of empathetic, patient-centered interactions.
- Ethical and professional judgment. Ethics should shape every decision in dental hygiene. While Carrington builds ethical reflection into many theoretical and clinical experiences, these principles are discussed at length in an ethics and jurisprudence-focused class. This, then, introduces the code of ethics of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.[9]
- Critical thinking. Dental hygienists should be capable of weighing information gleaned through patient assessments and clinical observations, using these (along with evidence-based practices) to make informed decisions about preventative care. At Carrington College, critical thinking skills are developed through hands-on practice, including scenario-based activities that encourage future dental hygienists to consider how they might respond to complex situations.
Becoming a Licensed Dental Hygienist
Given the considerable risks involved in oral care, there is a strong need for credibility and accountability, achieved through targeted training and also through the licensure process. Licensure is required to practice and should be a core focus when completing dental hygienist coursework.
The path to becoming a licensed dental hygienist begins with foundational coursework, detailing the anatomy of the head and neck along with oral radiology and oral biology fundamentals.[10] Clinical experiences are introduced early on, providing plenty of opportunities to refine dental hygiene techniques and to develop tangible skills (and muscle memory). Seminars and practicums support advanced skill development and provide exposure to diverse settings and scenarios.
A critical milestone on this journey? Taking the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), and, when relevant, state-based clinical licensing exams.[11] The ideal dental hygienist degree program will provide well-rounded preparation, addressing the many content areas featured on the NBDHE. While Carrington College cannot guarantee a passing score on the NBDHE (or post-graduation employment), our focused dental hygiene coursework provides structure to the test-prep process.
Start Your Path to a Rewarding Career in Dental Hygiene
Discover your future in dental hygiene. Carrington College introduces you to the tools and techniques that you’ll use every day as a dental hygienist. Through theoretical coursework, labs, and clinical practice, we help you develop hands-on skills and dentistry expertise — not to mention, much-needed confidence so you feel empowered as you work with patients and help shape the dental environment.
Earn your Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene with Carrington College and prepare to make a difference through the power of oral health. If you’re ready to advance in your career, explore our Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and learn how you can bring your expertise to specialty or leadership roles. Get in touch today to learn more about our Dental Hygiene degree programs.
Sources:
[1] American Dental Association. “Dental Hygienists.” https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/career-pathways/dental-hygienist
[2] Sinclair, L. “Periodontal Probing: Back to Basics.” Colgate. https://www.colgateprofessional.com/hygienist-resources/tools-resources/periodontal-probing-back-to-basics
[3] Mouth Healthy. “Scaling and Root Planing.” https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/scaling-and-root-planing
[4] Colgate. “What is a Mouth Debridement?” https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/plaque-and-tartar/full-debridement
[5] Machado, K. “Remember ADPIED? The Concept Helped Hygienists Learn about Process of Care.” Today’s RDH. https://www.todaysrdh.com/remember-adpied-the-concept-helped-hygienists-learn-about-process-of-care/
[6] Hagans, E. “Dedication to Patient Education.” Today’s RDH. https://www.todaysrdh.com/dedication-to-patient-education/
[7] Wilson, I. “8 skills new dental hygienists need to succeed.” RDH Magazine. https://www.rdhmag.com/career-profession/inspiration/article/55253242/8-skills-new-dental-hygienists-need-to-succeed
[8] American Dental Hygienists’ Association. “Qualities of a Great Hygienist.” https://www.adha.org/becomeahygienist/qualities-of-a-great-hygienist/
[9] American Dental Hygienists’ Association. “ADHA Code of Ethics.” https://www.adha.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ADHA-Code-of-Ethics_FY24_10_18.pdf
[10] American Dental Hygienists’ Association. “Becoming a Dental Hygienist.” https://www.adha.org/students/becoming-a-dental-hygienist/
[11] Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. “National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE).” https://jcnde.ada.org/nbdhe