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Dental Hygienist

AHS Employees

Promoting oral health

Being a dental hygienist is more than tooth cleanings. Using therapeutic, educational, and preventative procedures, dental hygienists make assessments, diagnose within their scope of practice, develop appropriate treatment plans, and treat oral health conditions. They help educate individuals and groups of people in the community about oral health.

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Compensation


$38.56 - $51.27 per hour

Other benefits

Education


Dental hygiene diploma or a bachelor of science with a dental hygiene specialization

Duties

  • Using therapeutic, educational, and preventative procedures
  • Make assessments of oral health
  • Diagnose within scope of practice
  • Develop appropriate treatment plans
  • Treat oral health conditions
  • Detect oral pathology to bring to the attention of the dentist
  • Recommend the use and/or purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies
  • Develop and evaluate educational oral health resource materials

Make a Difference

  • Empower people to keep their teeth and mouths clean and healthy, maintaining optimal oral health
  • Provide deeper cleaning and preventative oral care
  • Help dentists and patients identify and treat oral pathologies
  • Educate clients, caregivers, and the public about oral health
  • Create, evaluate, and improve oral health programs for individual clients and targeted populations

Work Collaboratively

  • Work as part of an interdisciplinary oral health or holistic healthcare team, including other dental assistants, dental hygienists, dentists, and other health professionals
  • Work in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, and community health centres

Grow Your Career

  • Teach/train other health professionals
  • Research opportunities
  • Healthcare leadership and management
  • Health system administration

Additional Information

To learn more about a career as a dental hygienist in our province visit Alberta Learning Information Services (ALIS).