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Dental Hygienists - 29-2021.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Dental Hygienist
  • Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
  • Hygienist

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Administer local anesthetic agents.
  • Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
  • Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
  • Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
  • Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist.
  • Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
  • Expose and develop x-ray film.
  • Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
  • Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
  • Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
  • Maintain patient recall system.
  • Make impressions for study casts.
  • Place and remove rubber dams, matrices, and temporary restorations.
  • Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
  • Record and review patient medical histories.
  • Remove excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth.
  • Remove sutures and dressings.

Detailed Work Activities

  • administer anesthetics
  • administer injections
  • administer medications or treatments
  • analyze dental data
  • analyze medical data
  • collect clinical data
  • collect dental laboratory diagnostic data
  • communicate technical information
  • follow clinical radiation safety procedures
  • follow dental or medical office procedures
  • follow dental or medical x-ray procedures
  • follow infectious materials procedures
  • follow patient observation procedures
  • identify body response variations
  • inventory medical supplies or instruments
  • maintain dental or medical records
  • make presentations on health or medical issues
  • observe patient condition
  • operate dental equipment
  • perform dental hygiene procedures
  • prepare patient for dental work
  • record medical history or data
  • set up dental equipment
  • understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
  • use clinical sterilizing technique
  • use darkroom procedures in radiology or medical or dental lab setting
  • use dental treatment procedures
  • use emergency medical procedures
  • use hazardous materials information
  • use interpersonal communication techniques
  • use knowledge of dental terminology
  • use knowledge of medical terminology
  • use quality assurance techniques
  • use sanitation practices in health care settings
  • work with persons with mental disabilities or illnesses

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Hygienist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Dental Technician (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Hygienist