[Core] [54% incumbents] Record and review patient medical histories.
  DWAs: Record patient medical histories.

[Core] [54% incumbents] Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
  DWAs: Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures.

[Core] [54% incumbents] Expose and develop x-ray film.
  DWAs: Process x-rays or other medical images.

[Core] [54% incumbents] Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
  DWAs: Treat dental problems or diseases.

[Core] [54% incumbents] Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
  DWAs: Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures.

[Core] [54% incumbents] Administer local anesthetic agents.
  DWAs: Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.

[Core] [53% incumbents] Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
  DWAs: Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures. | Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.

[Core] [53% incumbents] Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
  DWAs: Treat dental problems or diseases.

[Core] [53% incumbents] Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
  DWAs: Record patient medical histories.

[Core] [53% incumbents] Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
  DWAs: Maintain current knowledge related to work activities. | Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.

[Core] [53% incumbents] Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
  DWAs: Sterilize medical equipment or instruments. | Maintain medical equipment or instruments.

[Core] [53% incumbents] Maintain patient recall system.
  DWAs: Schedule appointments. | Schedule patient procedures or appointments.

[Core] [53% incumbents] Remove excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth.
  DWAs: Treat dental problems or diseases.

[Supplemental] [53% incumbents] Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist.
  DWAs: Direct healthcare delivery programs.

[Supplemental] [53% incumbents] Make impressions for study casts.
  DWAs: Fabricate medical devices.

[Core] [52% incumbents] Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
  DWAs: Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.

--- SKILLS ---
  Active Listening (imp:3.75 lvl:4.00) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Speaking (imp:3.50 lvl:3.00) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.50 lvl:3.12) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Writing (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Monitoring (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.00 lvl:3.38) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Active Learning (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Learning Strategies (imp:2.75 lvl:3.00) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Science (imp:2.38 lvl:2.38) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  Mathematics (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — Using mathematics to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:4.59 lvl:4.10) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:3.94 lvl:3.55) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Psychology (imp:2.99 lvl:3.65) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  English Language (imp:2.81 lvl:2.41) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Education and Training (imp:2.59 lvl:2.19) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Computers and Electronics (imp:2.57 lvl:2.71) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Public Safety and Security (imp:2.48 lvl:1.63) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Chemistry (imp:2.44 lvl:2.66) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Law and Government (imp:2.30 lvl:1.62) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Biology (imp:2.29 lvl:1.93) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Production and Processing (imp:2.21 lvl:1.56) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:2.21 lvl:1.74) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Mathematics (imp:2.17 lvl:1.77) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Sales and Marketing (imp:2.08 lvl:1.76) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Administration and Management (imp:2.03 lvl:1.25) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.00 lvl:1.66) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Communications and Media (imp:1.97 lvl:1.59) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:1.94 lvl:1.36) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Mechanical (imp:1.88 lvl:1.46) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Administrative (imp:1.81 lvl:1.52) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.57 lvl:1.15) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Foreign Language (imp:1.56 lvl:0.87) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Telecommunications (imp:1.53 lvl:0.44) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Transportation (imp:1.45 lvl:0.48) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Physics (imp:1.44 lvl:0.59) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Engineering and Technology (imp:1.23) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.22 lvl:0.49) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Geography (imp:1.22) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Design (imp:1.14) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Building and Construction (imp:1.12) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Food Production (imp:1.10) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food
  History and Archeology (imp:1.09) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Fine Arts (imp:1.01) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform

--- ABILITIES ---
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.88 lvl:4.00) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:3.88 lvl:3.75) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Finger Dexterity (imp:3.88 lvl:3.75) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Near Vision (imp:3.88 lvl:4.00) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Oral Comprehension (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Oral Expression (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Manual Dexterity (imp:3.25 lvl:3.50) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.25 lvl:3.25) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.12 lvl:3.88) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Written Expression (imp:3.00 lvl:3.50) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Information Ordering (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Category Flexibility (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Perceptual Speed (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Selective Attention (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Time Sharing (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Control Precision (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:2.88 lvl:2.62) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Visualization (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Far Vision (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Originality (imp:2.62 lvl:2.12) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Extent Flexibility (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Trunk Strength (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Auditory Attention (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Number Facility (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Memorization (imp:2.12 lvl:2.25) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Stamina (imp:2.12 lvl:1.75) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:2.12 lvl:1.62) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Reaction Time (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Static Strength (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Dynamic Strength (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Depth Perception (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Rate Control (imp:1.88 lvl:1.50) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Response Orientation (imp:1.75 lvl:1.50) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.25 lvl:0.38) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.00) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Night Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Peripheral Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Sound Localization (imp:1.00) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:4.61 lvl:5.39) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:4.48 lvl:4.43) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:4.26 lvl:4.27) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:4.17 lvl:3.79) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:4.05 lvl:4.45) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:4.02 lvl:5.05) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.98 lvl:3.31) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:3.94 lvl:4.31) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:3.94 lvl:4.09) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Getting Information (imp:3.87 lvl:4.25) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.86 lvl:4.30) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:3.83 lvl:4.19) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Working with Computers (imp:3.82 lvl:3.17) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:3.77 lvl:3.65) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:3.70 lvl:3.59) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:3.67 lvl:4.77) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:3.67 lvl:4.32) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:3.64 lvl:3.41) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.59 lvl:3.69) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.54 lvl:3.59) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.50 lvl:3.83) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:3.48 lvl:2.78) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Processing Information (imp:3.47 lvl:4.05) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:3.43 lvl:3.34) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:3.41 lvl:3.47) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:3.36 lvl:3.77) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Thinking Creatively (imp:3.35 lvl:4.24) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:3.34 lvl:3.18) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:3.34 lvl:2.96) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:3.17 lvl:2.69) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:3.14 lvl:2.55) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:3.04 lvl:3.34) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:3.01 lvl:2.80) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:3.00 lvl:2.43) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:2.77 lvl:2.76) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.76 lvl:2.41) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:2.75 lvl:2.23) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:2.71 lvl:2.35) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:2.16 lvl:1.55) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:2.13 lvl:1.90) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:1.65) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:7.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Attention to Detail (imp:6.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity (imp:5.00) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Cautiousness (imp:4.00) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Cooperation (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Attention to Detail (imp:2.67) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Dependability (imp:2.65) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Cooperation (imp:2.43) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Cautiousness (imp:2.32) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Empathy (imp:2.17) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Social Orientation (imp:2.06) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Integrity (imp:2.06) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Social Orientation (imp:2.00) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Self-Control (imp:1.95) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Sincerity (imp:1.94) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Stress Tolerance (imp:1.76) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Optimism (imp:1.49) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Achievement Orientation (imp:1.42) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.38) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance (imp:1.28) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Humility (imp:1.15) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Initiative (imp:1.10) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Empathy (imp:1.00) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Adaptability (imp:0.91) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:0.87) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Innovation (imp:0.58) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Leadership Orientation (imp:0.36) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:0.12) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Stress Tolerance () — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control () — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Service Orientation (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Coordination (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Persuasion (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Instructing (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Time Management (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Operations Monitoring (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Negotiation (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Operation and Control (imp:2.25 lvl:1.88) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Troubleshooting (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.25 lvl:2.50) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:2.12 lvl:1.62) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.00 lvl:2.12) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Technology Design (imp:1.88 lvl:0.88) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Repairing (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.88 lvl:0.88) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.75 lvl:1.12) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.62 lvl:1.12) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.50 lvl:0.62) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Programming (imp:1.38 lvl:0.50) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 222,740
  annual_median    : $98,100
  annual_pct10     : $74,880
  annual_pct25     : $83,570
  annual_pct75     : $108,480
  annual_pct90     : $126,050
  annual_mean      : $98,990
  hourly_median    : $47.16

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : District of Columbia ($137,220)
  lowest_state     : Puerto Rico ($59,320)
  dispersion_ratio : 2.313x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (52 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:  217,470  median: $  98,180
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:    2,060  median: $ 102,340
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:    2,040  median: $  80,850
  Educational Services                     emp:      670  median: $  83,330
  Management of Companies and Enterprises  emp:      120  median: $  94,570
  Manufacturing                            emp:       40  median: $  96,200
  Finance and Insurance                    emp:       40  median: $ 100,180
  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services emp:       40  median: $  86,410

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (8 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:  217,470  median: $  98,180
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:    2,060  median: $ 102,340
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:    2,040  median: $  80,850
  Educational Services                     emp:      670  median: $  83,330
  Management of Companies and Enterprises  emp:      120  median: $  94,570
  Manufacturing                            emp:       40  median: $  96,200
  Finance and Insurance                    emp:       40  median: $ 100,180
  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services emp:       40  median: $  86,410

exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Dental hygienist
match_score        : 0.9697
wikidata_qid       : Q1079856
word_count         : 3,020
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_hygienist
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T21:42:40.105707Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
A dental hygienist or oral hygienist is a licensed dental professional, registered with a dental association or regulatory body within their country of practice. Prior to completing clinical and written board examinations, registered dental hygienists must have either an associate's or bachelor's degree in dental hygiene from an accredited college or university. Once registered, hygienists are primary healthcare professionals who work independently of or alongside dentists and other dental professionals to provide full oral health care. They have the training and education that focus on and specialize in the prevention and treatment of many oral diseases.
Dental hygienists have a specific scope of clinical procedures they provide to their patients. They assess a patient's condition in order to offer patient-specific preventive and educational services to promote and maintain good oral health. A major role of a dental hygienist is to perform periodontal therapy which includes things such periodontal charting, periodontal debridement (scaling and root planing), prophylaxis (preventing disease) or periodontal maintenance procedures for patients with periodontal disease. The use of therapeutic methods assists their patients in controlling oral disease, while providing tailored treatment plans that emphasize the importance of behavioral changes. Some dental hygienists are licensed to administer local anesthesia and perform dental radiography. Dental hygienists are also the primary resource for oral cancer screening and prevention. In addition to these procedures, hygienists may take intraoral radiographs, apply dental sealants, administer topical fluoride, and provide patient-specific oral hygiene instruction.
Dental hygienists work in a range of dental settings, from independent, private, or specialist practices to the public sector. Dental hygienists work together with dentists, dental therapists, oral health therapists, as well as other dental professionals. Dental hygienists aim to work inter-professionally to provide holistic oral health care in the best interest of their patient. Dental hygienists also offer expertise in their field and can provide a dental hygiene diagnosis, which is an integral component of the comprehensive dental diagnosis.


== Job description and duties ==
In the dental office, the dentist and the dental hygienist work together to meet the oral health needs of patients. Since each country has its own specific regulations regarding their responsibilities, the range of services performed by hygienists varies. 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
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


=== Periodontal treatment ===
Gum disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Plaque is always forming on teeth, but if it is not cleaned well, the bacteria in plaque can cause gums to become inflamed. When this happens, the gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. Plaque then gets trapped in these pockets and cannot be removed with regular brushing. Untreated gum disease can lead to bone and tooth loss. If the periodontal pockets are too deep a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is necessary to remove the plaque in these pockets.
Scaling and root planing is a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins. Scaling and root planing is sometimes followed by adjunctive therapy such as local delivery antimicrobials, systemic antibiotics, and host modulation, as needed on a case-by-case basis.
Most periodontists agree that after scaling and root planing, many patients do not require any further active treatment. However, the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy to sustain health. The maintenance phase involves continuous care, at patient specific levels.


== Timeline of dental hygienists ==
1906: Alfred Fones trained his chairside assistant (and his cousin), Irene M. Newman, to clean teeth and perform other preventive treatments on children, making her the world's first dental hygienist.
1913: Alfred Fones began the first school for dental hygienists in Connecticut.
1915: Connecticut amended its dental practice act to include the regulation of dental hygienists.
1917: Irene M. Newman received the world's first license as a dental hygienist in Connecticut in 1917.
1923: The first meeting of the American Dental Hygienists' Association took place.
1950: The University of Toronto established the first dental hygiene program in Canada.
1959: Esther Mae Wilkins, an American dental hygienist and dentist, authored the first comprehensive book on dental hygiene, Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist, the first edition of which was published in 1959.
1964: The American Dental Hygienists' Association deleted the word "female" from its constitution and bylaws.
1965: Jack Orio graduated from the University of New Mexico, making him the world's first male dental hygienist.
1974: Dental hygienists were first trained in New Zealand in 1974, for use in the New Zealand Defence Force. The one-year course was taught by the Royal New Zealand Dental Corp at the Burnham army base outside Christchurch.
1975: The dental hygiene profession was introduced in Australia.
1993: The New Zealand Dental Hygienists' Association was founded.
1994: The first independent non-military training for dental hygienists in New Zealand began in 1994.
2009-2010: Fiscal year The Dental Hygiene Committee of California was established
2018: Dental Hygiene Committee of California officially changed to the Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC)


== Training ==


=== Australia ===

Dental hygienists in Australia must be graduates from a dental hygiene program, with either an advanced diploma (TAFE), associate degree, or more commonly a bachelor's degree from a dental hygiene school that is accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC) under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
In Australia it is a legal requirement for dental hygienist and oral health therapist graduates to be registered with the Dental Board of Australia before practising their scope in periodontology in any state or territory in Australia.
The Dental Hygienists' Association of Australia (DHAA) Inc., established in 1975, is the peak body representing registered dental hygiene service providers in Australia.
A dental hygienist does not need to be employed by a dentist but can independently assess patients and make treatment plans within their scope of practice whilst working in the community. Practising as an autonomous decision maker, and working within the scope of only what they are "formally" trained in.
The National Law requires the same level of professional responsibility from dental hygienists, oral health therapists and dental therapists as it does from dentists, dental specialists and dental prosthetists in that all practitioners must have their own professional indemnity insurance and radiation licences. They are also required to complete 60 hours of mandatory continuing professional development in a three-year cycle.
A Bachelor of Oral Health is the most common degree program. Students entering 

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Dentist (similarity: 0.5833)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentist
  QID: Q27349
  Extract: A dentist, also known as a dental doctor, dental physician, dental surgeon, is a health care professional who specializes in dentistry, the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. The dentist's supporting team aids in providing oral health services. The dental team includes dental 

  Title: Dentistry (similarity: 0.5385)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentistry
  QID: Q12128
  Extract: Dentistry, also known as dental medicine and oral medicine, is the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. It consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the mouth, most commonly focused on dentition as well as t

  Title: Calculus (dental) (similarity: 0.3529)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculus_(dental)
  QID: Q144037
  Extract: In dentistry, dental calculus or tartar is a form of hardened dental plaque. It is caused by precipitation of minerals from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in plaque on the teeth. This process of precipitation kills the bacterial cells within dental plaque, but the rough and hardened surf

  Title: Nicole Minetti (similarity: 0.1935)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Minetti
  QID: Q540791
  Extract: Nicole Minetti is an Italian former showgirl, dental hygienist, and politician.

  Title: Hygiene (similarity: 0.5000)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene
  QID: Q162297
  Extract: Hygiene is a set of practices performed to preserve health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases." Personal hygiene refers to maintaining the body's cleanliness. Hygiene activitie

model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong data quality across all dimensions with comprehensive O*NET profiles, reliable BLS wage data, clear education requirements, and Wikipedia validation of professional standards and licensing requirements.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T19:27:03.190932+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,790
tokens_output        : 4,438
cost_usd             : $0.050342
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Dental hygienist
wikipedia_note       : Wikipedia confirms dental hygienists as licensed professionals requiring associate's or bachelor's degree from accredited programs and completion of clinical/written board examinations. This aligns with the education distribution data showing 75.2% holding associate's degrees.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Dental hygienists are licensed healthcare professionals who provide preventive oral care services to patients, working under the supervision of dentists. They perform clinical tasks including teeth cleaning, oral examinations, patient education, and basic dental procedures like fluoride treatments and local anesthesia administration. According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, the median annual wage is $98,100 with 222,740 professionals employed nationally.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A dental hygienist begins their day by reviewing patient medical histories and preparing examination rooms with sterilized instruments. They perform thorough oral examinations using probes to detect periodontal disease, examine gums for signs of oral cancer by palpating lymph nodes, and take dental x-rays when needed. The bulk of their time involves cleaning teeth by removing calculus deposits and stains using specialized dental instruments, followed by applying fluoride treatments or other preventive agents. They document findings in patient records, chart conditions for dentist review, and educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and disease prevention strategies.

WHO THRIVES:
Individuals who excel as dental hygienists typically possess high dependability and attention to detail, as reflected in the top work styles data showing these as critical traits with importance ratings of 7.0 and 6.0 respectively. They demonstrate strong Social and Realistic RIASEC orientations, enjoying direct patient care while working with their hands using precise instruments. The role requires excellent manual dexterity and arm-hand steadiness for delicate procedures, combined with strong interpersonal skills for patient education and comfort. Those who thrive tend to be naturally cautious and methodical, given the medical nature of the work, while also being service-oriented and empathetic in their approach to patient care.

CAREER ENTRY:
The typical pathway requires completion of an associate's degree in dental hygiene from an accredited program, which 75.2% of practitioners hold according to education distribution data. Programs include coursework in anatomy, pathology, periodontology, and clinical practice, culminating in both written and clinical board examinations for licensure. Some states require additional certifications for specific procedures like administering local anesthesia. Entry-level positions are readily available given the 222,740 employment level, with new graduates often starting in general dental practices before potentially specializing in areas like pediatric or periodontal hygiene.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Experienced dental hygienists can advance into supervisory roles, become dental hygiene instructors at educational institutions, or specialize in public health dentistry. Some pursue additional certifications to expand their scope of practice, such as local anesthesia administration or nitrous oxide monitoring. The strong foundation in Medicine and Dentistry knowledge (4.6 importance, 4.1 level) and patient care skills creates pathways into related healthcare roles like dental practice management, sales for dental products, or further education to become dentists. The profession offers geographic flexibility with employment opportunities across all healthcare settings.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
The dental hygiene profession shows strong market fundamentals with median wages of $98,100 annually (BLS OEWS May 2025) and significant geographic variation from $59,320 in Puerto Rico to $137,220 in the District of Columbia, representing a 2.31x ratio. With 222,740 employed professionals, the field is concentrated heavily in Healthcare and Social Assistance (217,470 positions), indicating stable demand tied to essential healthcare services. The wage range from $74,880 to $126,050 (10th to 90th percentile) reflects experience levels and geographic factors. Employment growth is typically steady due to aging population demographics and increased awareness of preventive dental care, though automation of routine cleaning tasks may impact future demand patterns.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Dental hygienists face moderate automation risk for routine tasks like charting and record-keeping, but their core clinical activities remain largely automation-resistant. The high importance of Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (4.6 importance, 5.4 level) and hands-on examination procedures requiring Problem Sensitivity (3.9 importance, 4.0 level) cannot be easily automated. While digital imaging and electronic health records may streamline documentation, the tactile nature of periodontal probing, manual scaling, and patient education requires human judgment and dexterity that current technology cannot replicate.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [career_pathway] Dental Assistants (31-9091.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles share Medicine and Dentistry knowledge base and work in dental settings, with dental assistants often advancing to hygienist positions through additional education.
    data: Medicine and Dentistry knowledge overlap
    data: Both work in dental practice settings
    data: Similar manual dexterity requirements
  [skill_overlap] Registered Nurses (29-1141.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both professions share high importance in Assisting and Caring for Others (4.5 importance) and patient assessment skills requiring critical thinking.
    data: Assisting and Caring for Others work activity
    data: Patient assessment and monitoring skills
    data: Healthcare documentation requirements
  [skill_overlap] Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (29-2056.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles require manual dexterity for clinical procedures, problem sensitivity for health assessment, and maintaining detailed medical records.
    data: Manual dexterity and finger dexterity requirements
    data: Problem sensitivity for health assessment
    data: Medical record documentation
  [riasec_cluster] Surgical Technologists (29-2055.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both occupations demonstrate strong Realistic orientation requiring precise manual skills and attention to sterile procedures in healthcare environments.
    data: Realistic RIASEC orientation
    data: Manual dexterity and precision requirements
    data: Healthcare sterile procedure protocols
  [knowledge_overlap] Respiratory Therapists (29-1126.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both professions require Medicine and Dentistry/medical knowledge, patient care skills, and direct patient interaction in healthcare settings.
    data: Medical knowledge requirements
    data: Direct patient care responsibilities
    data: Healthcare setting work environment
  [task_similarity] Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (29-2057.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles involve specialized examination procedures, operating diagnostic equipment, and maintaining detailed patient records for physician review.
    data: Specialized examination procedures
    data: Diagnostic equipment operation
    data: Patient record maintenance for physician review

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['dental hygienist', 'oral hygienist', 'registered dental hygienist', 'licensed dental hygienist', 'dental therapy', 'preventive dentistry', 'periodontal therapy', 'dental prophylaxis']
  exclude_keywords : ['dental assistant', 'dentist', 'orthodontist', 'dental technician', 'oral surgeon']
  title_patterns   : ['*dental hygienist*', '*oral hygienist*', 'RDH', '*hygienist*dental*', '*preventive*dental*']
  common_variations: ['dental hygienist', 'oral hygienist', 'registered dental hygienist', 'licensed dental hygienist', 'RDH', 'dental treatment coordinator', 'preventive care specialist', 'periodontal therapist']

total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['dental', 'hygienists', 'hygiene', 'health', 'oral', 'tendency', 'hygienist', 'others', 'patient', 'equipment', 'practice', 'dentist', 'teeth', 'clinical', 'treatment', 'services', 'procedures', 'care', 'patients', 'principles']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

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──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
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