Dental Hygienist
Healthcare
Dental hygienists provide preventive oral health care, cleaning teeth, examining patients for signs of disease, and teaching people how to care for their teeth and gums, usually alongside a dentist.
Education
Associate's degree plus state license
Experiences
Coming soon
Why this career matters
Oral health affects overall health, and hygienists are often the provider a patient sees most regularly. It's a hands-on healthcare career with a defined, licensed path that doesn't require years of medical school.
What you actually do
A day in the life
Your day is scheduled in back-to-back patient appointments. Each one starts with reviewing the patient's chart, then a cleaning and exam, checking for cavities or gum disease, and a few minutes teaching the patient better brushing or flossing habits before the next appointment starts.
Key skills
Observe's own list, not government data.
Work environment
Related careers
Observe's own list, not government data.
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