Dental hygienists are sometimes called oral health practitioners. They assist dentists and other dental professionals in caring for patients’ gums and teeth as well as educate patients on good mouth hygiene and dental decay prevention. More specific duties include polishing and scaling teeth, simple dental restorations and treatments and taking x-rays, if qualified to do so
The main role of a dentist may be to treat gum and tooth conditions of patients, but it is the dental hygienist’s main job to prevent dental problems from developing in patients.
Most holders of such a position work in general dental practices, but many also work in community dental services and hospitals. Persons in such a role who are employed in hospitals may also assist patients undergoing complicated orthodontic treatment or other dental surgeries
All UK dental hygienists need to be enrolled and qualified by the General Dental Council, and undergo proper training. Although there are three specialist schools in the UK, all of the nation’s dental hospitals offer training.
Entry level oral health practitioners earn between £21,176 and £27,625, while advanced level positions pay between £30,460 and £40,157 per annum.