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Dental Hygiene

Dental hygienists are licensed health care professionals who promote oral health and wellness. Dental hygienists educate patients, regarding oral hygiene and preventive oral care.

Hygienists remove plaque, calculus and stains from teeth; expose and develop dental X-rays; and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some states, they also administer local anesthetics and nitrous oxide; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures and perform root-planing.

Hygienists may not diagnose diseases, but they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists may also work chairside with the dentist during treatment.

Latest Headlines

Students celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month

Dental Hygiene Program celebrates National Dental Hygiene Month

National Dental Hygiene Month, an initiative started by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), returned to Clayton State University’s campus once again with Dental Health Awareness Day event on Tuesday, October 1, in the University Center.

Read more Dental Hygiene Program celebrates National Dental Hygiene Month

Clayton State University Dental Hygiene students

Dental Hygiene Program helps kids get “Head Start” in oral health

Students in the program recently tended to hundreds of babies and toddlers in nearby Head Start programs, with more than 100 seen in just the first two hours of service.

Read more Dental Hygiene Program helps kids get “Head Start” in oral health

The Dept. of Dental Hygiene continues making an impact on the local community

Department of Dental Hygiene provides back to school smiles

Six Dental Health Lakers participated in the Antioch East Baptist Church’s Community Health Fair on Saturday, July 20, and provided dental evaluations and preventative oral hygiene demonstrations for children as young as two years old.

Read more Department of Dental Hygiene provides back to school smiles


Dental Hygiene Academic Programs

 


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