A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists. In most jurisdictions, hygienists work for a dentist, and some are licensed to administer local anesthesia. Common procedures performed by hygienists include cleanings known as prophylaxis, scaling and root planing for patients with periodontal disease, taking of prescribed radiographs, dental sealants, administration of fluoride, and providing instructions
To become a dental hygienist in Australia, you must graduate from a dental hygiene program, with either an advanced diploma (TAFE), associates degree, or more commonly a bachelor's degree from a dental hygienist school that is accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC).
All dental hygienists in the Australia must be licensed by the state in which they practice, after completing a minimum of two years of training.
Dental hygienists school programs usually require both general education courses and courses specific to the field of dental hygiene. General education courses important to dental hygiene degrees include college level algebra, biology, anatomy, physiology and chemistry. Courses specific to dental hygiene may include anatomy, oral anatomy, materials science, pharmacology, radiography, periodontology, nutrition, and clinical skills.
A Bachelor of Oral Health is the most common degree program. Students entering a bachelor's degree program are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
A more advanced level of dental hygiene training can be obtained through combined dental hygiene and therapy programs at some Universities. (See: dental therapist).
As with most healthcare jobs, dental hygienist jobs are currently plentiful. There are several web sites that provide dental hygienist job listings. Many of these sites also allow for resume posting. Such web sites, or job boards include http://www.dentalpost.net, http://www.dentalcrossing.com http://www.indeed.com, and http://www.careersindental.com, to name a few.
Dental hygienists have become saturated in some parts of the country. More dental hygiene programs are opening, producing more registered dental hygienists. The career is flexible for working mothers who want to work part-time.
Dental hygiene across Canada is becoming a very well respected career and the pay varies throughout the country; in British Columbia you can make up $44 an hour and in Ontario you can make up to $35 an hour. This reflects the current shortage of hygienists available for hire.
Some of the downfalls to practicing in different provinces are the different regulations. For instance in BC all therapy is prescribed by the dentist, x-rays may not be taken unless prescribed, and a patient requires an annual exam in order to be treated by a hygienist. With extra training modules a hygienist may also administer local anesthesia, under the surpervision of an attending dentist. In Ontario you may take further training to become a restorative hygienist.
Dental Hygienists across Canada now have the ability to move to either BC, ON, or AB and be able to open their own private clinics.