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Dental Hygiene
This guide provides an introduction to the resources available in the BCC Libraries. For additional information or to schedule an individual research consultation, use our Book-A-Librarian form.
What is Dental Hygiene?
A career as a dental hygienist offers a wide range of challenges. In the dental office, the dentist and the dental hygienist work together to meet the oral health needs of patients. Since each state has its own specific regulations regarding their responsibilities, the range of services performed by hygienists varies from state to state.
Some of the services provided by dental hygienists may include:
- patient screening procedures; such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse
- taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)
- removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth
- applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g., sealants and fluorides)
- teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;(e.g., toothbrushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)
- counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health
- making impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs)
- performing documentation and office management activities
From the ADA
Library Hours
Fall River Campus
774-357-2105
Monday - Thursday
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday
7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday
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Sunday
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
New Bedford Campus
774-357-4009
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7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Friday
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Saturday
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday
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774-357-3745
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Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
Closed