Dental Hygienist Job Description

Dental hygienists are responsible for providing dental hygiene treatments and services related to oral health, disease, and injury prevention. Dental hygienists also do full examinations, diagnostics test, cleanings, and aid in creating and implementing treatment plans for patients. They also follow up with patients to assess progress of treatment plans and any concerns. They work closely with dentists to provide dental care to patients. 

What would I do?

The routine tasks of a dental hygienist may include:

• Screen patients, conduct oral health assessments, and take vitals.
• Document patient medical and health history.
• Take dental impressions and x-rays.
• Carry out preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, scaling, gum stimulation, and fluoride and sealant applications.
• Provide patients with care instructions such as oral hygiene practices, ways to maintain, and improve oral health.
• Consult and collaborate with dentists to provide care to patient.
• Perform some procedures with the supervision of a dentist.
• Supervise dental assistants.
• Create, implement, and monitor treatment plans.

Am I suited for this job?

Individuals with the following characteristics may be ideal for this role:

• Individuals with good organizational skills.
• Individuals who can adapt to changing environments.
• Individuals who work well in independently.
• Personable individuals who can interact with various audiences. 
• Individuals who are able to think quickly.
• Individuals who have excellent management skills.
• Individuals who can problem solve.
• Individuals who work well in fast-paced environments. 
• Individuals who are able to lead. 
• Collaborative individuals.
• Individuals with good communication skills. 
• Individuals able to pay attention to detail. 

A typical day in the Life of a Dental Hygienist

Typical Wage

According to the Government of Canada the lower wage in Ontario is $30.00 per hour whereas the higher wage is $48.00 per hour. In contrast, in Ottawa the lower wage is $33.33 per hour and the higher wage is $45.00 per hour. The figure below depicts the wage difference between Ontario generally and Ottawa.

Benefits

The benefits offered may vary by employer. However, most dental hygienists may enjoy the following benefits:

• Dental insurance.
• Health insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Life insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Paid sick time off.
• Vacation pay.
• Disability leave.
• Maternity or parental leave.
• Professional development assistance.

Job Outlook

According to the Government of Canada there is a labour shortage for dental hygienists in Ottawa. Due to this the job outlook for Ottawa is good for the upcoming years. It is also anticipated that there will be employment growth due to the creation of new positions. 

Further, per the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association the unemployment rate is significantly lower than the national average in the dental hygiene industry, as illustrated by the figure below.

How do I Become a Dental Hygienist?

To become a dental hygienist in Canada one must complete a dental hygiene diploma or bachelor program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. 

The following are some programs in Ontario that are approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada:

• Dental Hygiene at Algonquin College.
• Dental Hygiene at the Canadian National Institute of Health.
• Dental Hygiene at the Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Community Services.
• Dental Hygiene at George Brown College. 

For a more extensive list of all approved programs please visit the Ontario Dental Hygienist Association website. 

After completion of a program in dental hygiene students must also pass a written exam administered by the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada and in some cases a clinical entry to practice exam administered by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. Upon completion of these, one must register with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario and are then monitored by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario’s Quality Assurance Program. 

Where would I work?

Per the Government of Canada 95% of dental hygienists work in ambulatory health care services and hospitals. According to a summary by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association 91% of respondents work in a dental hygiene practice, 4% work in education settings and 3% in public health settings. Further, 85% work in general dental practices. 

How do I Find a job?

Individuals interested in jobs as dental hygienist may find jobs through:

• LinkedIn. 
• Google Job Board.
• Government of Canada Job Bank.
• The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association Careers Page.
• Ontario Dental Hygienists Association’s Job Page.
• Ontario Dental Association Job Board.

Applying for a Job

When applying for a dental hygienist role you should make sure to highlight your education and relevant experience in your resume. You should also highlight these in your cover letter, without being repetitive. You should use your cover letter as an opportunity to convince the reader why you are an ideal fit for the role. You should highlight past experiences on your resume and how they demonstrate the skills required for the role. You should also be sure to highlight any experiences that may make you stand out and any past experiences similar to the role you are applying for. Be sure to modify your resume and cover letter to be reflective of the job description listed with the job posting.

Be sure to highlight any experience, certification or educational experience that may make you stand out from other candidates. 

For entry level individuals it may be useful to highlight any experience that you may have acquired thus far that may demonstrate that you possess the necessary skills to excel in the role. For entry level individuals with no prior industry experience, it may be useful to focus on highlight transferable skills from other roles that may aid you. It may be useful to highlight the skills you may have developed through your studies.

Prior to your interview prepare a list of questions that you may be asked and have an idea of your answers. You should also be sure to research the clinic to ensure you have all necessary knowledge. Be sure to research the interviewers, if possible. Demonstrate this prior research through your answers subtly. Research will also allow you to be more familiar with what the clinic needs or is seeking and enable you to tailor your answers. Be sure to also have some questions prepared for your interview, having questions shows interest and effort to the interviewer. 

For more advice and tips on how to land a job please visit the Ontario Dental Hygienists Association’s page on getting a job.

Where can this Job Lead?

 Dental hygienists who seek to leave traditional employment may choose to work on a contractual basis or be self-employed. 

Dental hygienists who seek to transition into different roles may be able to transition to working for the Canadian Armed Forces as a dental hygienist. This will likely not require any further education. They may also pivot into educational roles instead of clinical practice, however, most teaching roles will require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Alternatively, they may pivot into research, however, this will also require higher education such as a master’s degree. 

Dental hygienists may also be able to transition into more non-traditional roles such as working in the dental insurance industry. This would be more of an office, 9-5 job and not clinical. They may also go into consulting. Consulting jobs may require further education such as a Master of Business Administration. They may also transition into dental laboratory work; this is ideal for those who are interested in pursuing further education such as a masters. They may also pivot into government regulation and policy roles or consumer advocacy roles or sales for dental related products and companies. 

For more information please refer to this guide on non-traditional jobs published by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association.