Program Goals
The course of study provides a broad based education in the social, behavioral, and biological sciences with special emphasis toward teaching, community health, or research.
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Studying for the National Boards can be fun!
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Although legal dental hygiene functions vary from state to state, some of the functions routinely performed by a dental hygienist include, but are not limited to:
- removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from above and below the gumline
- thoroughly examining the teeth and oral structure, including a soft tissue exam
- exposing, processing, and interpreting dental radiographs
- plaque control instruction and development of personal oral hygiene programs for home care
- placing temporary fillings, applying periodontal dressings, removing sutures, polishing and recontouring amalgam restorations
- dietary and tobacco use counseling
- applying caries-preventive agents, such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants
- educating the individual patient and the general public about the importance of good oral hygiene habits
- oral cancer and blood pressure screening
- designing community dental health programs
- oral health care research, data collecting and tabulating
- working with special population groups (e.g., minority groups, geriatric, mentally/physically disabled persons).
With additional training in some states, a hygienist may administer local anesthesia, and place and carve amalgam and non-metallic restorations.