RDH stands for Registered Dental Hygienist.
Every registered dental hygienist in
the State of Arizona is licensed through
the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners, web site at Arizona
Dental Board and is accountable to the statutes, rules and regulations
set forth in Arizona State Laws.
Dental hygienists must graduate from an accredited
dental hygiene program with an associate or baccalaureate degree, pass
the written National Board Examination and each state's Ethics and Jurisprudence
and clinical examinations. Dental hygienists may also complete a master's
degree.
Dental hygienists' specialize in preventive oral health using knowledge and
clinical skills to prevent, detect, and treat diseases of the oral cavity.
Dental hygiene is a diverse profession; dental hygienists can work in private
dental offices, hospitals, and schools; they can be educators working in colleges
and universities or in corporate sales. Dental hygienists work in research
discovering treatments for oral diseases, policy-making to ensure dental health
for all individuals, as well as public health. As our population continues
to grow the demand for access to preventive health care services will increase
and the career opportunities for dental hygienists will expand even more throughout
the nation.
Important Facts About Dental Hygienists
Who Is the Dental Hygienist?
Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who focus on preventing
and treating oral diseases-both to protect teeth and gums, and also to protect
patients' total health. They are graduates of accredited dental hygiene education
programs in colleges and universities, and must take written and clinical
exams before they are allowed to practice. In addition to treating patients
directly, dental hygienists also work as educators, researchers, and administrators.
What Do Dental Hygienists Do?
Each state has its own specific regulations and the range of services performed
by dental hygienists vary from one state to another. As part of dental hygiene
services, dental hygienists may:
perform oral health care assessments that include reviewing
patients' health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and taking
and recording blood pressure;
expose, process, and interpret dental X-rays;
remove plaque and calculus (tartar)-soft and hard deposits-from
above and below the gumline;
apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and sealants
to the teeth;
teach patients proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain
healthy teeth and gums;
counsel patients about plaque control and developing individualized
at-home oral hygiene programs; and
counsel patients on the importance of good nutrition for
maintaining optimal oral health.
Where Do Dental Hygienists Work?
Dental hygienists can work as clinicians, educators, researchers, administrators,
managers, preventive program developers, consumer advocates, sales and marketing
managers, editors, and consultants. Clinical dental hygienists may work in
a variety of health care settings such as private dental offices, schools,
public health clinics, hospitals, managed care organizations, correctional
institutions, or nursing homes.
What Does the "RDH" Designation Mean?
The "RDH" means Registered Dental Hygienist. The RDH credential
identifies a dental hygienist as a licensed oral health professional. State
licensure requirements typically indicate that a dental hygienist must graduate
from an accredited dental hygiene education program, successfully pass a national
written examination, and a state or regional clinical examination. (In Indiana,
the designation LDH [Licensed Dental Hygienist] is used instead of RDH.)
How Can I Get More Information about
RDHs?
Please contact the American Dental Hygienists' Association-the
largest national organization representing the professional interests of the
more than 120,000 licensed dental hygienists nationwide by visiting us on
the Internet at http://www.adha.org/.
The following oral health topics will provide you, the consumer,
with information and resources about various issues related to you and your
family's oral health care. Select from the category listing to link to a specific
topic