Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists carry out preventative therapy related to dental hygiene under the direction of dentists.

Tasks Dental hygienists may perform include the following:

• instructs patients in dental health and hygiene
• applies and removes periodontal packs
• selects, applies and removes orthodontic bands
• issues pre- and post-operative instructions to patients
• removes sutures
• applies therapeutic agents and fissure sealants to teeth
• scales, polishes and root planes teeth
• polishes dental restorations
• takes impressions for mouthguard construction
• may assist with dental radiography

Personal requirements

• Able to perform percise accurate work
• Good communication skills

Related Jobs

• Dental Therapist
• Dental Technician
• Dentist
• Dental Assistant

Education and training
Information relating to education and training, employment opportunities and additional information is specific to each State/Territory. To see the relevant information, select the state:

NSW/ACT   NT   QLD   SA   TAS   VIC   WA

Employment opportunities
Dental hygienists are not permitted to set up in private practice, but must work under the supervision and direction of a dentist. They work in private practices, community health centres, dental hospitals and regional clinics. Qualified dental hygienists should not experience difficulty in finding employment.

There is currently a shortage of hygienists for the perceived needs of the work force, due mainly to the shortage of training facilities. There are limited training places available for this course in Australia and competition is keen.

Additional Information
To practise as a dental hygienist, graduates must be registered with the Dental Practice Board of the State or Territory in which they intend to work.