Occupational Employment Statistics
29-1292 Dental Hygienists
Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.
Minnesota
| 4,990 | 379 | $44.65/hr | $39.30/hr | $40.87/hr | $46.13/hr | $47.44/hr | $49.05/hr |
Professional and Business Services | 210 | $50.75/hr |
Education and Health Services | 4,740 | $46.02/hr |
Public Administration | N/A | N/A |
- Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- Record and review patient medical histories.
- Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
- Expose and develop x-ray film.
- Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
- Expose and develop x-ray film.