dental hygienist

Dental hygienists work in cleaning and polishing teeth, supra- and sub-gingival scaling of the teeth, application of prophylactic materials to the teeth, collecting data, administering comprehensive advice on oral hygiene and the care of the mouth, according to patients` needs under the supervision of dental practitioners following her/his directions.

Alternative Labels

oral health therapist

oral health specialist

orthodontic therapist

trainee dental hygienist

oral health practitioner

qualified dental hygienist

dental therapist

registered dental hygienist

dental hygienist

Regulatory Aspect

To see if and how this occupation is regulated in EU Member States, EEA countries or Switzerland please consult the Regulated Professions Database of the Commission. Regulated Professions Database:

http://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/services/free-movement-professionals/qualifications-recognition_en

Skills & Competences

Essential Skills and Competences

accept own accountability interact with healthcare users use e-health and mobile health technologies remove calculus, plaque and stains follow clinical guidelines perform dental charting manage infection control in the facility apply organisational techniques ensure safety of healthcare users develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship promote inclusion contribute to continuity of health care respond to changing situations in health care communicate in healthcare apply context specific clinical competences empathise with the healthcare user work in multidisciplinary health teams apply antibacterial substance to teeth work in a multicultural environment in health care deal with patients' anxiety counsel on nutrition and its impact on oral health deal with emergency care situations follow dentists' instructions comply with legislation related to health care educate on oral healthcare and disease prevention provide health education evaluate clinical outcomes of dental hygiene interventions polish dental restorations listen actively perform dental radiographs perform dental hygiene interventions promote health and safety policies in health services

Optional Skills and Competences

keep records for dental prostheses use foreign languages in patient care inform policy makers on health-related challenges

Concept URI

Concept Uri

http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/d18deca3-3063-4970-9ddc-e3c70404a28c

Status

released

Occupations