Ada	Altus	Ardmore
Bartlesville	Bethany	Bixby
Broken Arrow	Chickasha	Claremore
Del City	Duncan	Durant
Edmond	El Reno	Enid
Glenpool	Jenks	Lawton
Mcalester	Miami	Midwest City
Moore	Muskogee	Mustang
Norman	Oklahoma City	Owasso
Ponca City	Sand Springs	Sapulpa
Shawnee	Stillwater	Tahlequah
Tulsa	Woodward	Yukon

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

Dental Hygienist Job Functions

When contrasting the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Oklahoma dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are often the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities may include:

• Removing stains, tartar and plaque
• Administering fluoride treatments
• Polishing teeth and applying sealants
• Educating 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 have graduated 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 licensure examinations. Once they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the "RDH" designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Degree Options

Because of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Oklahoma dental practices are generally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in nearly every state. They are offered in trade and technical 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| Some programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Programs

Choosing an online dental hygienist program can be a great option for receiving your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided via your personal computer in the comfort of your Oklahoma home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Many may even charge lower tuition costs than their traditional counterparts. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The practical training can usually be completed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this method of learning, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the ideal option for you.

Find Out More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in Oklahoma

 

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