Tasks & work activities — dental hygienist

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 29-1292.00 (Dental Hygienists).

Task statements

[Core] Record and review patient medical histories.
[Core] Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
[Core] Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
[Core] Maintain patient recall system.
[Core] Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
[Core] Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
[Core] Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
[Core] Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
[Core] Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
[Core] Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
[Core] Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
[Core] Expose and develop x-ray film.
[Core] Remove excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth.
[Core] Administer local anesthetic agents.
[Supplemental] Make impressions for study casts.
[Supplemental] Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist.

Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
Direct healthcare delivery programs.
Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures.
Fabricate medical devices.
Maintain current knowledge related to work activities.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Process x-rays or other medical images.
Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
Record patient medical histories.
Schedule appointments.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Treat dental problems or diseases.