They assess a patient's condition in order to offer patient-specific preventive and educational services to promote and maintain good oral health.

The use of therapeutic methods assists their patients in controlling oral disease, while providing tailored treatment plans that emphasize the importance of behavioral changes.

[3] In addition to these procedures, hygienists may take intraoral radiographs, apply dental sealants, administer topical fluoride, and provide patient-specific oral hygiene instruction.

Dental hygienists aim to work inter-professionally to provide holistic oral health care in the best interest of their patient.

Since each country has its own specific regulations regarding their responsibilities, the range of services performed by hygienists varies.

Scaling and root planing is sometimes followed by adjunctive therapy such as local delivery antimicrobials, systemic antibiotics, and host modulation, as needed on a case-by-case basis.

A dental hygienist does not need to be employed by a dentist but can independently assess patients and make treatment plans within their scope of practice whilst working in the community.

They are also required to complete 60 hours of mandatory continuing professional development in a three-year cycle.

Students entering a bachelor's degree program are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent.

These possibilities include working in clinical, administration, education, research and public health positions.

A surplus of new dental hygiene graduates in recent years has resulted in a decrease in wages in some regions.

All Canadian dental hygienists must also prove continuing competence by maintaining a professional portfolio yearly.

[35] [36] Dental hygienists in BC, ON, NS and AB are able to open their own private clinics and practice without a dentist on staff.

The 1-year course was taught by the Royal New Zealand Dental Corp at the Burnham army base outside Christchurch.

[22] In 2002, the university added a 3-year Bachelor of Health Sciences (endorsed in Dental Hygiene) degree alongside the Diploma.

General education courses important to dental hygiene degrees include college level algebra, biology, and chemistry.

Dental hygienist students perform practical oral examinations free of charge at some institutions which have expressed a shortage in recent years.

[44] The dental hygienists in some parts of North America can provide oral hygiene treatment based on the assessment of a patient's needs without the authorization of a dentist, treat the patient in absence of a dentist, and also maintain a provider-patient relationship.

1995 - A client must have seen a dentist within the previous 365 days in order for the hygienist to provide dental hygiene treatment.

[48] 1998 - Registered dental hygienist in alternative practice (RDHAP): RDHAPs may provide services for homebound persons or at residential facilities, schools, institutions and in dental health professional shortage areas without the supervision of a dentist.

However, dental hygienists must have the availability to communicate with a dentist in order to review patient records and establish emergency protocols.

Hygienists need to apply to the state department of community health for grantee status.