How to Become a Dental Hygiene Assistant
(4 courses)What do I need to study to become a Dental Hygiene Assistant?
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Definition of Dental Hygiene Assistant
Dental Hygiene Assistants are tasked with readying patients for treatments in order to lessen the workload and improve workflow efficiency for the dentist and hygienist. They may be required to review care plans with patients, organise and prepare equipment before procedures, take dental impressions and vital signs, and perform fluoride applications.
Dental hygienists are employed to assist the dentist by cleaning patient’s teeth, administering oral examinations and conducting X-rays. A Dental Hygiene Assistant aides the hygienist by prepping rooms before treatments, developing X-ray films and carrying out other office related tasks when the dentist and hygienist are unavailable.
What are the responsibilities of a Dental Hygiene Assistant ?
- Receiving patients and preparing them for treatment.
- Organising and dispensing medication, instruments and other dental supplies to dentists and hygienists.
- Operating equipment such as water sprayers and suction units.
- Taking dental impressions and performing fluoride applications.
- Developing X-rays and prepping rooms, tools and other materials.
- Conducting maintenance and sterilisation of tools and equipment.
- Reviewing and discussing dental health and oral care plans with patients
Career Outlook for Dental Hygiene Assistant
The average age of people working as is 27 with 2.20% of them being male. 58.20% of are employed full-time and they typically work around 35.5 hours per week.
Unemployment is average and, with A Bachelor Degree or higher, the average Community Worker can earn around $893 per week Before Tax. In 2015 there were 18,400 working and the future growth of the profession is predicted to be moderate, with numbers around 19,300 in 2020.