Dental Hygienist

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Salary range:

$60,654 – $93,475

Minimum training

2-year degree; state-issued license required

Job description:

A dental hygienist cleans teeth, examines patients for signs of oral disease and provides other preventative dental care. They use instruments and ultrasonics to clean and polish teeth, X-ray machines to take dental pictures, syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics, and models of teeth to explain oral hygiene. A dental hygienist sometimes works chair-side with the dentist during treatment.

Work environment:

A dental hygienist may work in a dental office or clinic, like most jobs in dentistry, and usually works at the dental chair with patients.

Training requirements:

A dental hygienist must complete a two-year degree from an accredited dental hygienist program. They are licensed by the State of California Committee on Dental Auxiliaries.

Paying for training:

• View scholarships for this job

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