Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists help their patients to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. They do this by performing a range of dental work for patients, including teaching them the skills needed to maintain their oral hygiene.

Patients are first seen by a dentist, who decides what work is to be done by a dental hygienist.

This can include:

scaling and polishing teeth
applying coatings to teeth, such as fluoride and sealants, to help prevent decay
taking dental X-rays
giving local anaesthetic
undertaking temporary fillings
replacing crowns with temporary cement in an emergency
taking impressions of teeth and gums for crowns, bridges and dentures.

Dental hygienists use a range of dental instruments. They may be assisted by a dental nurse.

Dental hygienists have an important role in teaching people how to care for their teeth, gums and mouths. This can involve:

Teaching people about the importance of brushing and flossing and demonstrating the most effective way to do this.
Giving advice on diet, stopping smoking and other health issues. This can be on a one-to-one basis or by making presentations to groups such as schoolchildren or older people.

Dental hygienists in hospitals also help patients to keep their mouths healthy if they are having surgery or complicated orthodontic treatment or if they are suffering from particular medical conditions.

Their work has some similarities to the work of dental therapists who carry out a wider range of clinical treatment, such as extracting deciduous (or milk) teeth and undertaking simple fillings.

Hours and environment

Dental hygienists generally work seven or eight hours a day, but in general dental practice, working hours may include evenings and Saturday mornings. Part-time work is possible.

Dental hygienists working in community dental services may travel to see patients in schools, community centres, residential homes or in their own homes. They may also work in a mobile clinic.

Dental surgeries are warm, well lit and clean. Hygienists may wear a white coat or tunic and surgical gloves and a face mask and eye protection for certain procedures.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on the employer and where people live.

A newly-qualified dental hygienist in may earn from €25,000.
Dental hygienists with several years’ experience may earn between €26,000 and €42,000 a year.

Skills and personal qualities

A dental hygienist should:

be good at science
be able to do close, detailed work using a range of precision instruments
get on well with a wide range of people of all ages
have excellent communication skills to explain treatments and instruct patients on dental hygiene
have good motivational skills to encourage patients to persevere with recommended cleaning techniques and diet changes
be able to concentrate for long periods of time
have a calm and reassuring manner
work well in a team
be interested in healthcare.

Interests

It is important to:

have an interest in science, particularly biology, and healthcare
enjoy working with people and have a genuine desire to help them.

Getting in

Dental hygienists are employed by:

general dental practices
community dental services which give dental treatment to people who cannot attend a general practice
hospitals
private companies that provide dental care to employees

Most dental hygienists work in general dental practices. Some are self-employed and work at several dental practices.