Athens	Bartlett	Brentwood
Bristol	Chattanooga	Clarksville
Cleveland	Collierville	Columbia
Cookeville	Dickson	Dyersburg
East Brainerd	East Ridge	Elizabethton
Farragut	Franklin	Gallatin
Germantown	Goodlettsville	Greeneville
Hendersonville	Jackson	Johnson City
Kingsport	Knoxville	La Vergne
Lebanon	Maryville	Mcminnville
Memphis	Middle Valley	Morristown
Mount Juliet	Murfreesboro	Nashville
Oak Ridge	Portland	Sevierville
Shelbyville	Smyrna	Soddy Daisy
Springfield	Spring Hill	Tullahoma

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

Dental Hygienist Job Functions

When contrasting the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Tennessee dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient's gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's duties may include:

• Removing stains, tartar and plaque
• Applying fluoride treatments
• Applying sealants and polishing teeth
• Instructing patients regarding oral care
• Taking and developing X-rays
• Applying fillings and removing sutures

In order to be licensed in almost all states, dental hygienists must graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam in addition to passing any state licensure examinations. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the "RDH" designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

As a result of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Tennessee dental offices are often required to have 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 almost every state. They are offered in community colleges as well as trade and technical schools. And in addition to classroom studies learning the fundamentals of dental hygiene, there will be a practical component to the training as well| Many programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Classes

Choosing an online dental hygienist program can be a viable alternative for getting your training. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the convenience of your Tennessee home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education far more obtainable. Many may even offer lower tuition fees than their on-campus competitors. And additional expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The clinical training can typically be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to obtain the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online program is the ideal option for you.

Learn More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in Tennessee

 

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