See also: Dental Hygiene Pre-Health Guide
The dental hygienist is a licensed member of the dental health team, dedicated to the prevention of dental diseases and the promotion of optimal oral health. Under the supervision of a licensed dentist, the dental hygienist provides a variety of patient services including collecting health history data, taking blood pressure, removing hard and soft deposits from the teeth, applying fluoride, placing protective sealants, and educating patients in proper oral hygiene techniques and good nutritional habits.