Affton	Arnold	Ballwin
Belton	Blue Springs	Cape Girardeau
Carthage	Chesterfield	Clayton
Columbia	Concord	Creve Coeur
Dardenne Prairie	Farmington	Ferguson
Florissant	Fort Leonard Wood	Fulton
Gladstone	Grain Valley	Grandview
Hannibal	Hazelwood	Independence
Jackson	Jefferson City	Jennings
Joplin	Kansas City	Kirksville
Kirkwood	Lake Saint Louis	Lebanon
Lees Summit	Lemay	Liberty
Manchester	Marshall	Maryland Heights
Mehlville	Moberly	Nixa
Oakville	Ofallon	O Fallon
Old Jamestown	Overland	Ozark
Polk	Poplar Bluff	Raymore
Raytown	Republic	Rolla
Saint Ann	Saint Charles	Saint Joseph
Saint Louis	Saint Peters	Sedalia
Sikeston	Spanish Lake	Springfield
University City	Warrensburg	Washington
Webster Groves	Wentzville	Wildwood

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below

Dental Hygienist Job Duties

When comparing the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Missouri practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient's teeth and gums and present their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities can include:

• Removing plaque, tartar and stains
• Applying fluoride treatments
• Polishing teeth and applying sealants
• Instructing patients about oral hygiene
• Taking X-rays and developing film
• Applying fillings and removing sutures

To qualify for licensing in nearly all states, dental hygienists must graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensing exams. Once they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and can add the "RDH" designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Degree Options

Because of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Missouri dental practices are normally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in nearly every state. They are offered in trade and vocational schools as well as community colleges. And in addition to classroom studies learning the fundamentals of dental hygiene, there will be a clinical component to the training as well| A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Training

Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program may be a great option for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the convenience of your Missouri home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Many may even charge lower tuition costs than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced as well. The practical training can often be completed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online program is the right option for you.

Learn More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in Missouri

 

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