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A dental hygienist is a highly trained medical practitioner who assists patients in achieving and maintaining good oral health. They help dentists by doing: 

• Initial screenings
• Taking X-rays 
• Assisting other dental professionals during a dental visit. 

As a dental hygienist, being dependable and creating trust with patients of all ages is an important aspect of the position.  

Also, having a thorough understanding of relevant health and safety regulations and a keen eye for oral disorders and anomalies is a great asset to have as a dental hygienist. 

What other skills are important for a dental hygienist to have? What skills do you want to demonstrate that you have to offer as a dental hygienist throughout your resume? 

We will be coving these questions and more in this article. We'll also discuss some of the most important skills that dental hygienists use to fulfill their duties and contribute to a productive dental office.  

Let's get started. . . 

What Skills Does a Dental Hygienist Need?

When it comes to skills highly recommended, a dental hygienist demonstrate through their resume there are six main skill areas and types to include: 

1. Professionalism 
2. Interpersonal communication 
3. Critical thinking
4. Oral health promotion 
5. Practice management and informatics 
6. Patient care 

Let's dive deeper into each of these skill areas and types and explore a checklist for each area as you grow as a hygienist or work on building a resume that demonstrates these skills . . . 

1. Professionalism 

All areas of dental hygiene care are covered by professionalism and ethics. Ethics, values, talent, knowledge essential to all elements of oral hygiene care, and the ability to self-evaluate are all part of this. The expert dental hygienist uses the highest professional knowledge, judgment, and competence to deliver skillful care. 

Wondering how to demonstrate professionalism through your resume and work as a dental hygienist? 

Here is a checklist to refer to as a guide for dental hygienists and professionalism . . . 

A Checklist for Dental Hygienists for Professionalism

• Maintain the dental hygiene profession's ideals and standards in front of patients, coworkers, as well as others
• Maintain and improve dental hygiene knowledge and abilities through continuing education and the quality of treatment delivered through ongoing self-evaluation and quality assurance
• Contribute to the advancement of oral health knowledge 
• Participate in professional activities such as meetings, committee work, peer review, and public forums to promote oral health

2. Interpersonal Communication 

Excellent communication skills, including speaking and listening, are essential for a competent dental hygienist. A profession in dental hygiene requires efficient communication with patients of various ages and backgrounds. It's crucial to communicate information to patients clearly and understandably. Listening is also essential for understanding the requirements and expectations of a dental hygienist. 

Wondering how to demonstrate interpersonal communication through your resume and work as a dental hygienist? 

Here is a checklist to refer to as a guide for dental hygienists and interpersonal communication . . .

A Checklist for Dental Hygienists for Interpersonal Communication 

• Use interpersonal and communication skills when working with patients, dentists, and other healthcare team members. 
• Apply psychological and behavioral approaches and techniques as learned in training and professional development
• Be open to the communication needs of multicultural and diverse populations

3. Critical Thinking

To solve preventive issues as soon as they arise, a career in hygiene necessitates quick thinking. Problem-solving is essential for improving serious oral health concerns. A competent hygienist is constantly ready with suggestions to help comfort patients or communicate effectively with dentists and other staff.

Wondering how to demonstrate critical thinking through your resume and work as a dental hygienist? 

Here is a checklist to refer to as a guide for dental hygienists and critical thinking . . .  

A Checklist for Dental Hygienists for Critical Thinking 

• Assess and integrate new healthcare trends, determining their utility in dental hygiene practice
• Evaluate and combine the finest research findings with clinical experience and patient values for evidence-based practice 
• Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills

4. Oral Health Promotion 

The majority of dental disorders and health conditions can be avoided. This suggests that the primary idea of dentistry could be modified to one in which the dental hygienist serves as the primary oral health care provider. The skills of dental hygienists focus on disease prevention and oral health promotion.

Wondering how to demonstrate oral health promotion through your resume and work as a dental hygienist? 

Here is a checklist to refer to as a guide for dental hygienists and oral health promotion . . .  

A Checklist for Dental Hygienists for Oral Health Promotion 

• Educate the public, patients, and organizations both inside and outside the profession about the importance of general health and wellness
•  Collaborate with other dental team members and health care providers to monitor and promote the health of all patients
•  Use community dental health concepts to prevent disease and promote health

5. Practice Management and Informatics

Dental informatics is a branch of medical informatics that focuses on dentistry. It is concerned with information management, communication, and new technology in clinical practice and research.

Wondering how to demonstrate practice management and informatics through your resume and work as a dental hygienist? 

Here is a checklist to refer to as a guide for dental hygienists about practice management and informatics . . .  

A Checklist for Dental Hygienists for Practice Management and Informatics

• Evaluate and use current and new knowledge, as well as clinical and practice management technology
• Use risk management principles such as informed consent and proper record keeping for patient treatment.
• Apply business and practice management skills
• Use ideas like quality assurance, assessment, and improvement
• Follow OSHA and HIPAA requirements, as well as municipal, state, and federal laws

6. Patient Care

The diagnosis, recovery, and control of illness and the maintenance of physical and mental well-being through the utilization of healthcare providers' services are all part of patient care.

Wondering how to demonstrate patient care through your resume and work as a dental hygienist? 

Here is a checklist to refer to as a guide for dental hygienists and patient care. . .  

A Checklist for Dental Hygienists for Patient Care 

• Collect, document, update and arrange accurate and comprehensive medical/dental histories and relevant psychological and socioeconomic data as needed.
• Conduct, record, and organize a physical examination for dental hygiene purposes
• Create a dental hygiene diagnostic based on the dental diagnosis and the opinions of other oral health specialists 
• Work with patients to develop a dental hygiene care plan that they agree on
• Keep track of patient comfort when performing dental hygiene procedures
• Take responsibility for preventing, recognizing, and managing medical situations and providing basic life support as needed
• Follow current infection control recommendations for all clinical procedures
• Provide and/or manage evidence-based dental hygiene treatment and education in compliance with established Standards of Care
• Assess the comprehensive dental hygiene care results and provide a personalized maintenance regimen, if necessary, or a referral to the appropriate health care provider

More Information 

6 Skills in High Demand for Dental Hygienists

Dental Hygienist Job Description

Dental Hygienist Skills to Include on Your Resume

Crucial Certifications and Skills You Need To Have To Be A Dental Hygienist

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