Health Careers
Dental Hygienist
Professional Activities
The dental hygienist is a practicing member of the dental healthcare team. A hygienist works under the supervision of a dentist and has the primary responsibility of teaching patients how to care for and maintain the cleanliness of their teeth and gums. In addition to providing the routine service of removing stains and deposits from patients’ teeth, a hygienist also has the responsibility of taking x-rays, applying sealants to children’s teeth and administering fluoride treatments to help prevent decay. When it comes to good oral health and preventive care, the dental hygienist is the person responsible for making sure the patients stay on track with routine care.
In rural Alaska, dental hygienists usually work with dentists in Indian Health Service or regional health corporation clinics. Others practice in private clinics. Dental hygienists also find positions in health education and community health programs.
Educational Requirements
Following a two or four-year college education, licensure is required to practice. All educational plans include:
- Graduation from high school with coursework in science, math, and English.
- Most dental hygienist programs require one of the standard college entrance examinations (ACT, SAT, etc.). Some schools require or recommend the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET) as well.
- Community colleges offer two-year programs and award an Associate’s degree or certificate. Many programs require a college background before admission.
- Four-year programs award Bachelor’s degrees. Usually the first two years are spent taking prerequisite courses in science and other subjects. The final two years are spent in the study of dental hygiene.
Academic Programs
Accredited Schools in Alaska:
University of Alaska Anchorage
Community and Technical College
Dental Programs Department
Allied Health Science Building, Room 160
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508-8306
Phone: (907) 786-6929
Email:
Web site: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ctc/alliedhealth/dh/index.cfm
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tanana Valley Campus
604 Barnette Street
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Contact: Rena Bower, Program Coordinator, Asst. Professor
Phone: (907) 455-2834
Email:
Website: http://www.tvc.uaf.edu/programs/health/dh/
Contacts
State Contact:
Alaska State Dental Hygienists’ Association (ASDHA)
PO Box 240247
Anchorage, AK 99524
Phone: (907) 349-1553
Website: http://www.asdha.com/
National Contact:
American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)
444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 440-8900
Email:mail@adha.net
Website: http://www.adha.org/
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on June 09, 2008
