Dental hygienist: a dental professional in america

ABSTRACT

The aim of this article is to introduce the role of dental hygienist, curriculum, tasks, responsibilities, training and other aspects of professional life of dental hygienists in America. It is a brief overview on the birth of the dental hygiene profession and then goes into detail on the number and distribution of dental hygienist in America. It gives a description on licensing requirements for both US citizens and international students seeking license and the examination criteria of the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam. The article is an informational tool for the international community on the dental hygiene profession and issues faced by dental hygienist in America including the minority population such as international students. It provides information on the demographics of the profession and the role of inter national students and minorities and their future in the dental hygiene profession, in the United States of America