Career Possibilities

The educational background of a dental hygienist provides the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary to be successful in a wide variety of careers. From research to clinician to public administration, dental hygiene opens the door to many successful career options.

A career in dental hygiene offers opportunities in the following settings.

Clinical

  • Perform oral health assessments
  • Provide nutritional counseling and self-care programs to prevent disease
  • Oral, head and neck cancer screenings 
  • Take and process X-rays and perform other diagnostic tests
  • Provide services that help patients prevent gum diseases and cavities 
    • oral prophylaxis (removing stains and deposits from teeth)
    • root debridement
    • application of preventive and therapeutic agents
    • local delivery of antimicrobial agents
  • Administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation
  • Teeth whitening

Administrative/Managerial

  • Consult for dental product companies and/or insurance companies.
  • Hold administrative positions in education, public health, hospitals or professional associations.
  • Sell dental products and supplies.
  • Manage or own dental personnel placement services.
  • Evaluate and facilitate processing of dental insurance claims.
  • Initiate and evaluate community dental health programs and resources.

Educational

  • Teach in dental hygiene and dental school programs.
  • Present continuing education seminars.
  • Write/edit educational materials.

Research

  • Write grant proposals.
  • Develop research methodology.
  • Collect and analyze data.
  • Conduct clinical research.
  • Write articles for professional publications.

Consumer Advocacy

  • Help consumer groups obtain access to care.
  • Develop networking systems to match existing resources with health care needs.
  • Advise consumers on insurance policies, commercial products and political issues affecting oral health.

Change Agent

  • Influence business and government agencies to support health care efforts.
  • Advocate oral health programs for individuals, families, or communities.