Essay On Dental Hygienist

Registered Dental/Orthodontic Hygienist

Most people hate going to the dentist and getting their teeth cleaned but it is very important to have strong and healthy teeth. I had braces for three years I always thought a Orthodontic Hygienist job was very interesting, although I never had any thoughts on pursuing a career in that field. I recently started taking an serious interest in becoming a Registered Dental or Orthodontic Hygienist after shadowing the dentist and his hygienist at my home town Wrightsville Family Dentist Office. Dr. Justin Ragen and Ms. Charlene Kay has made a huge impact on my decision of going into the dentistry field. I got the privilege of watching them perform hands-on producers such as taking x-rays, monitor development

of teeth, clean teeth, and teach patients proper oral care. It was an amazing experience shadowing them and had a great impact on my future. I would love to work in both general dental and orthodontic fields. I look forward to the opportunity of helping patients maintain the health of their teeth and making their smile straight. I know I will not regret going into the Hygienist field. It would be an honor to know that I am the reason my patients feel very comfortable and proud of their smile.
Registered Dental Hygienist provide a variety of dental services, surgical and nonsurgical periodontal instrumentation, and patient/family education. Dental hygienists are also involved in educating patients on the best ways to brush and floss teeth, as well as which products to use. (2018 U.S. News & World Report L.P) Hygienist task include taking x-rays, removing plaque and
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calculus from the surface of the teeth, and teaching appropriate hygiene. Hygienist work closely with patients to ensure a high level of oral care. They evaluate oral health and examines oral cavity for signs of disease or damage. All states are require that dental hygienists be graduates of a dental hygiene program, obtain a passing score on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and pass the state authorized licensure examination to be eligible for state Dental Hygienist licenses. After getting their licenses dental hygienist may use ¨R.D.H¨ Registered Dental Hygienist behind their name. Some hygienist work part time and others work full time, some even travel to different offices. (American Dental Association 2018) Once dental hygienist are licensed they will work at a variety of places such as community health care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, schools, clinics, state and federal government facilities and even Indian reservations. A dental hygienist can receive their degree from programs at a Technical College, University, or Dental school. Community or Technical college programs can be completed in two years and students can receive a associate degree. Universities offer baccalaureate and master’s degree. High school students can take classes such as health, math, and science classes like biology, chemistry, and psychology that will greatly benefit anyone pursuing a career in dental hygiene.( Explore Health Careers.org 2018 Liaison International.) According to Georgia Workforce 2014, dental hygiene a field that is "fast growing, high-paying, and expected to offer plentiful job openings over the projected period."
After I graduate high school, I plan to go to the Dental College of Georgia in Augusta Georgia. I plan to study Health Sciences and obtain a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Augusta University offers hands-on education through innovative research, patient care, and
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service. (Augusta University 2018) I hope to extend my education and work as a Orthodontic Hygienist.
Some hygienist extend their knowledge and incorporate orthodontics into their practice. As patients see their hygienist on a regular basis it is essential for the clinician to have clinical interventions to maintain health during orthodontic therapy, patient education on tooth movement sciences, daily oral hygiene methods and post orthodontic considerations. (denistryiq.com 2018 PennWell Corporation All Rights Reserved) The average wage for a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) with Orthodontics skills is $32.56-$49.48 per hour. (Pay Scale 2018 PayScale,Inc.)
Before the process of braces start, Orthodontic Hygienist stress the importance of keeping teeth clean and the hygiene changes the patient should adapt. These changes include rushing more, avoiding sodas and dark drinks, rinsing with water as much as possible and coming in for visits frequently. During the process of having braces it is important the patient comes for frequent visits, during this time brackets and wires trap plaque and make it harder to keep teeth clean. Seeing your hygienist regularly gives them the ability to remove calculus, polish the teeth, and fix any brackets or wires that may be broken. After the removal of braces it is important to still visit your hygienist. Some patients have remaining plaque build up around the bracket area. (RDH 2018 PennWell Corporation All Rights Reserved)
Trying to brush and floss your teeth with braces is not all that fun but your Orthodontic Hygienist will educate you on money ways to make it a little easier. It is best to use an electric toothbrush designed specially for gently cleaning around braces. Always make sure to brush each wire and bracket, brush in between each to get to teeth, floss and check to make sure there are no
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food particles left behind. Flossing with braces may seem hard but floss threaders make it so much earsier pushing it through each wire and bracket. Braces may seem difficult but it will all be worth the while when you end up with a beautiful smile. (Oral-B 2018 Procter & Gamble)
Orthodontics dental and general dental have similarities and differences.

In dentist and orthodontist offices you will answer the phone, schedule appointments for patients, and prepare patients for the doctor. Ortho hygienist and dental hygienist both sterilize instruments and tools and assist the orthodontist/dentist. Dental hygienist clean the plaque and calculus, while orthodontist hygienist work with tighten and replacing wires and brackets. Dental patients come every six months to get their teeth cleaned with Ortho patients come six weeks. Both careers are required to get an educations through an American Dental Association program. General dental works to maintain the health of teeth while Orthodontic works to straighten teeth. Some states require additional testing and training before you work in an Orthodontics office. Always bring your compassion to work everyday. In both types of offices you will be dealing with children even adults that are nervous and scared. (The Nest 1997-2016 XO Group

Inc.)
Dental Hygienist use a variety of tools to remove build up and keep patients teeth in top shape and leaving them with a beautiful smile. Handheld mouth tools help hygienist to get into the hard to see places to check for sign of tooth decay. Scalers and curettes scrape plaque on the surface of teeth and underneath the gums. Ultrasonic scalers are powered by pneumatic turbines and vibrate to pull away plaque and tartar. This tool is more gentle than metal hand scalers. Polishers are slow speed tools that buff away uneven areas on the teeth, leave teeth smooth, and bright. X-Rays are used to check for cavities and tooth decay. (The Nest 1997-2018 XO Group
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Inc.) The Tornado S handpiece is said to be the most powerful turbine with a compact head. This tool was made Bien-Air and introduced into the market in 2015. (Dental Products Report Magazine 2018 Lauren Krzyzostaniak)
There are a variety of teeth whitening methods to use. Most people want their teeth whitened for big events such as prom, weddings, or job interviews so fortunate for them there are some formulas that work in as little as a few days. Crest 3D White Whitening Therapy has two products, Enamel Care and Sensitivity Care. Enamel Care which is engineered to whiten teeth and
improve weak enamel. Sensitivity Care contains potassium nitrate to help soothe sensitivity. BlanQuest Professional Whitening Treatment is a treatment designed to brighten discolored teeth due to dark colored teeth from dark drinks or food in only 45 minutes. (Dental Products Report Issue 2)
Taking good care of your teeth, mouth, and gums is very important and a worthy goal to maintain. Good oral hygiene can prevent gum disease, tooth decay, other health problems, and help to keep your teeth longer as you get older. It is important to brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth clean and avoid plaque build up in the gumline. Improper brushing and flossing can lead to gum diseases such as Gingivitis, when left untreated can cause an even worse disease called periodontitis. Long term gum infections can result into teeth loss. (Colgate Professional 2018 Colgate-Palmolive Company)
Poor hygiene can result in oral cancer. Tobacco and alcohol use, excessive sun exposure, weak immune system, and human papillomavirus are all causes of oral cancer. There are many

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ways to prevent oral cancer such as stop or do not start using tobacco products, limit yourself on alcohol, avoid too much sun exposure on your lips and see your dentist regularly. If you ever experience these symptoms be sure go visit your dentist as soon as possible, sores that bleeds or does not heal, loose teeth, difficulty/painful chewing or swallowing, and tongue or jaw pain. (Mayo Clinic 1998-2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Many people do not know that hygienist can help with sleeping disorders.

Dental hygienist have become more involved in treating apnea and dental sleep medicine still continues to grow. Some people suffer from this condition and are not aware they have it. Patients visit their dentist and hygienist more than their doctor so their hygienist play a role in screening and caring for their patients with sleeping disorders. There are many questions you can ask your patient to see if they have this disorder such as Do you snore? Do you become tired or fall asleep throughout the day? Can you breathe through your nose? Are you tired when you wake up in morning? All of those questions are important when determining signs and the symptoms of the patients sleep apnea. (Sleep Review Magazine 2015)

Dental Hygienist educate patients on proper hygiene techniques such as brushing. A good brushing technique is approximately two minutes. Hygienist recommend using a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles. Hard bristles tend to damage gums. If you choose to use a electric toothbrush Sonicare is the best way to go. White spots or stains on teeth can occur natural or can be caused by certain fluoride products. Too much fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis which is the appearance of white spots on stains on teeth. (2018 Bucco

Orthodontie)

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I know that Registered Dental Hygiene is a field that I want to pursue. I can not wait to attend the Dental College of Georgia in Augusta and work with a different variety of patients and extending my knowledge and working in an Orthodontic office as well as general dental. I look forward to having the privilege of helping patients maintain the health of their teeth and making their smile straight. I know I will not regret going into the Dental Hygienist field. It would be an honor to know that I am the reason my patients feel very comfortable and proud of their smile.