Dental Hygienist
The facts, and nothing but!
www.adha.org
Who are we?
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Licensed oral health professionals
Focus on preventing and treating oral
conditions
Protecting teeth and gums
Protecting patients’ total health
What do we do?
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Will vary state to state.
Some services we provide:
• Perform oral health care assessment
• Patient health history
• Dental history
• Oral cancer screening
• Blood pressure
What do we do?
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Expose, process and
interpret dental x-rays
Remove soft and hard
deposits from the
teeth
Apply cavity
preventive agents
such as:
• Fluorides
• Sealants
What do we do?
• Teach proper oral hygiene techniques
• Counsel patients about plaque control and
help developing individualized home care
• Counsel patients about good nutrition for
maintaining good oral health
Where do we work?
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Private dental offices
Schools
Hospitals
Correctional institutions
Nursing homes
Education institutions
Research facilities
Where do we work?
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Health administration
Preventive product development
Consumer advocacy groups
Sales and marketing
Publishing
Consulting firms
An educator at Darton College
Susan Kapp Anderson
Registered Dental Hygienist
Bachelor of Science in Education
Master of Education
RDH – What’s that?
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RDH means Registered Dental Hygienist
A dental health professional
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Licensed by the state in which you are
practicing
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Graduate of an accredited education
program
RDH – What’s that?
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Passed a National Board written exam
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Passed a Regional Clinical exam
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Passed a state law test
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Paid a fee to obtain the license
How do I become one?
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Admission will vary
from College to
College, but will
include the following:
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High school diploma or
GED
At least 18 years old
HS courses in math,
chemistry, biology and
English
How do I become one?
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Minimum “C” average
in high school
College entrance test
scores
There may be prerequisites of college
credits like Chemistry
or Human Anatomy
How long is the program?
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2 years for a diploma, certificate or
associate degree
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4 years for a baccalaureate degree
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Master’s level programs prepare those
interested in education, research or
administration
Dental Hygiene
Darton College
What courses would I take?
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English, speech, psychology, sociology
Chemistry, anatomy, physiology,
microbiology, nutrition, pharmacology
Dental anatomy, oral histology, oral
pathology, radiology, pain control and
dental materials
What courses would I take?
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Dental science classes in:
• oral health education,
• preventive maintenance,
• clinical procedures,
• community dental health,
• medical and dental emergencies,
• cardiac life support,
• legal and ethical aspects of dental hygiene
practice
What courses would I take?
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Supervised pre-clinic and clinical
practice
• Practice on manikins and classmates
• Experience with patients of all ages
Licensure
Licensure
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Licensure is a means
of protecting the
public
Includes graduation
and testing, and
continuing education
How do you get a license?
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Graduate
Pass National written board exams
Pass regional and/or state clinical exams
Pass a state law test
CPR certification
High school and College transcripts
Dental Hygiene
Darton College
For more information
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Darton College
Dental Hygiene Department
Dr. Stacey B. Marshall, Director
2400 Gillionville Road
Albany, GA 31707
229-430-6840