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DENTAL HYGIENISTS
 
Occupation Description:
 
  Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems 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.
 
Typical Tasks:
 
 
  • Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
  • Record and review patient medical histories.
  • Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
  • Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
  • Expose and develop x-ray film.
  • Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
  • Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
 
Knowledge:
 
 
  • Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures..
  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction..
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar..
  • Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders..
  • Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment..
  • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects..
  • Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems..
 
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Education & Training:
 
  Associate degree
 
      View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site
 
Wage Information:
 
 
Region Average Annual Average Hourly Entry Level (hourly) Mid-Range  (hourly)
Statewide $95,723.00 $46.02 $40.77 $42.21 - $49.96
Bridgeport/Stamford $101,871.00 $48.97 $44.95 $49.52 - $50.73
Danbury $92,847.00 $44.64 $41.04 $41.86 - $47.05
Hartford $91,330.00 $43.92 $39.99 $40.99 - $46.29
New Haven $95,256.00 $45.80 $42.19 $42.22 - $47.43
New London/Norwich $89,742.00 $43.15 $39.20 $40.73 - $46.10
Waterbury $90,053.00 $43.29 $40.08 $41.14 - $46.73
Torrington $86,813.00 $41.73 $36.43 $40.16 - $46.15
      
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Occupation Outlook:
 
 
Region Employment Average Annual Growth Rate Average Annual Job Openings
2020 2030
State of Connecticut 3,400 4,590 0.3% 363
 
 
Chart of Growth Rate and Annual Openings   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow much faster than average, and the number of annual openings will offer very good job opportunities.
Key:
  N/A = Not Applicable, ***** = Over $60.00 per hour, ##### = Over $124,821
 
Similar Occupations:
 
 
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