Community
Student Lounge
Dental Hygiene Career Resources
Dental Hygienist Job Overview
Whether you’re a graduate of or current student in WCU’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) program or are just curious to learn more, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with these aspects of a dental hygiene career.
Sample Job Titles
- Dental Hygienist
- Hygienist
- Licensed Dental Hygienist
- Pediatric Dental Hygienist
- Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Sample Dental Hygienist Responsibilities
- Administer oral hygiene care to patients
- Assess patient oral hygiene issues or needs, and maintain health records
- Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention
- May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia
Top Dental Hygienist Qualities
- Critical thinking – must be able to assess/evaluate patients and develop care plans
- Strong communication – must share information with dentists and patients alike
- Detail-oriented – must follow specific rules and protocols to support dentists
- Dexterity – must be precise and adept at working with their hands
- Interpersonal skills – must be considerate while working closely with patients
- Problem-solving skills – must develop and implement oral hygiene care plans tailored to the patient’s needs
For more, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Profile for Dental Hygienists.
Preparing for Your Dental Hygienist Job Interview
“Working with the Career Services Department post graduation was the most amazing experience. You are provided with a variety of resources to help you get through the program and into the working world. Evelyn helped me every step of the way when preparing to receive my license, as well as finding the perfect office for me. I can’t recommend using their services enough”
-Rachel Vega, BSDH Graduate ’21
Associations
- California Dental Hygiene Association CDHA – The Voice of Dental Hygiene in California
- American Dental Hygiene Association Membership – ADHA
Volunteer Opportunities
- Children’s Dental Health Clinic Pediatric Dentist in Long Beach, CA | Children’s Dental Health Clinic (cdhc.org)
- Illumination Foundation Our Impact: By the Numbers — Illumination Foundation | Disrupting The Cycle of Homelessness (ifhomeless.org)
- Casa Teresa Casa Teresa | A Loving Home for Pregnant Women in Crisis.
Licensing
- In house 3-day prep course
- National Board Exam
- CRDTS Examinations
- Breeze Application
- Law and Ethics
“West Coast University’s Career Services is without a doubt one of the most important resources offered from the Dental Hygiene program. Evelyn makes it her priority for new graduate students to feel comfortable with their transition from an academic setting to the professional”
-Donna Ngo, BSDH Graduate ‘17
FAQs
What are some common dental hygienist interview questions?
As with any job interview, a dental hygienist interview will contain different types of questions ranging from informational to behavioral to technical to scenario-based. Here are some potential questions from our list of sample interview questions:
- Can you walk me through your resume?
- What made you want to become a dental hygienist?
- Describe your work ethic and approach to dentistry?
- How do you make your patients feel comfortable?
- Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
- Describe a situation that required a number of things to be done at the same time. How did you handle it? What was the result?
- Describe your use of ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments when performing nonsurgical periodontal therapy.
- Which patients in your care will receive fluoride treatments?
- Is there any dental software you feel is important to have in an office? Which ones and why?
What should I include on my dental hygiene resume?
A dental hygiene resume should be easy to read and clearly list your name, contact information (phone number and email address), education, work experience with descriptions of tasks performed, any licensure/certifications, professional memberships, and skills relevant to the job.
What are the benefits of joining dental hygiene associations?
Associations like the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) provide networking opportunities, continuing education, advocacy for the profession, and other perks.
How can WCU Career Services help?
Our Career Services offer a range of services, including career advising and resume review, so you can feel confident about every step of your job search. We’ll help prepare you for real job interviews and give you the tools you need to make a strong impression on hiring managers.
Additionally, we partner with hundreds of employers across various industries, helping to facilitate meaningful connections and opportunities between recruiting companies and our student and alumni populations.
Have Questions?
Get in touch with our team
*The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.
Call
Info Session