Oral Hygienist

The oral hygienist renders guidance and clinical and preventive services under supervision of a qualified dentist. His/her work is mainly educational although a substantial amount of his/her activities involve clinical work.

 Job Characteristics

• Examining the patient’s teeth and gums to identify dental diseases and oral-hygienic conditions.



• Cleaning teeth (scaling and polishing), applying preventive measures such as fluoride and other remedies to the surface of the teeth.



• Preparing and distributing information in the form of brochures, slides, films, and other audiovisual aids.

• Formulating and illustrating preventive techniques for the display in schools and similar institutions.

Requirements
 
Secondary Education
Possession of at least a HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with matriculation exemption is required for admission to South African universities, and a HIGCSE or outstanding IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, for enrolment at technikons in South Africa.
 
Recommended subjects
Biology, Mathematics and Physical Science (South Africa)
 
Tertiary Education
A three-year B.A. degree in Oral Hygiene is offered at Medunsa. A University Diploma in Oral Hygiene is offered at the Universities of Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Witwatersrand, Western Cape and Durban-Westville.
 
No formal training is currently offered in Namibia. Oral hygienists are however, registered by the MHSS in terms of the Allied Health Services Professions Act.

Personality
The prospective oral hygienist should display a professional and emphatic attitude towards patients. He/she must be responsible, neat, practical and patient.

Work Opportunities
Opportunities exist at dental practices and at hospitals.

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