Do you want to know what it’s like to work in the dental field? Are you curious about the day-to-day duties of an RDH? If so, then this blog post is for you! Today, we are going to take a look at what an RDH does on a typical day. From the perspective of an RDH, we will discuss the average day of an RDH, as well as some of the common duties that they perform.
So, if you are thinking about becoming an RDH, or if you just want to learn more about this career, keep reading!
Morning Meetings
The morning meeting is a sacred ritual in the life of any RDH. It's the time when we gather together to discuss patients, treatment plans, and of course, just chat. We start each day with a cup of coffee and a recap of the previous day's events. "Mrs. Smith is due for her six-month cleaning," says one hygienist. "I'll schedule her for next week," responds another. "And what about Mr. Jones? Any word on his dental insurance?"
This back-and-forth continues until every patient has been accounted for. Then, we move on to more personal matters. Who's dating whom? Who's getting married? Who just had a baby? No topic is off-limits during the morning meeting. It's our chance to catch up with each other and start the day on a positive note.
Figure Out Today’s Agenda
After the morning meeting, it's time to get down to business. The first order of the day is to review today's schedule and see which patients we will be seeing. We take a look at each patient's chart and familiarize ourselves with their dental history. This is important because it helps us to provide the best possible care.
We also use this time to double-check that we have all of the necessary supplies for each procedure. There's nothing worse than starting a procedure only to realize that you're missing a key piece of equipment!
See Patients
Once we have our schedule figured out and our supplies gathered, it's time to see patients! We typically see around ten patients per day, though this number can vary depending on the type of procedures that are being performed.
We start each appointment by greeting the patient and escorting them to the treatment room. We then take a few minutes to get to chat and find out what brings them in today. After that, it's time to get started on the cleaning or whatever procedure we are performing.
Responsibilities
As a dental hygienist, my responsibilities include a wide range of tasks, from conducting patient assessments to taking X-rays. While the specifics of my job vary from day to day, there are certain duties that I perform on a regular basis.
For instance, I often take dental impressions, which are used to create models of patients’ teeth. I also place sealants, which are used to prevent tooth decay, and apply fluoride treatments, which help to strengthen teeth. In addition, I occasionally administer anesthesia and remove sutures during procedures.
Throughout all of these tasks, I remain vigilant in monitoring patients’ oral health and alerting the dentist to any changes or concerns. As you can see, being a dental hygienist is both important and rewarding work!
End of the Day
At the end of the day, we take a few minutes to document each patient's chart. We update their medical history and make note of any changes or concerns. Then, we gather our supplies and head home for the day.
We may be exhausted, but we know that we've made a difference in the lives of our patients. And that's what makes it all worth it.
So, there you have it! A day in the life of a dental hygienist. Whenever you’re ready to find work as an RDH, Stynt is here to help. With their easy-to-use platform, you can search for open positions, submit your resume, and even get matched with job opportunities.