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27 February 2007
Dental Hygienist
Most people can think of many places they’d prefer to be than at the dentist but for Corporal Amy Jeffers, it was spending time in a dental practice that sparked her interest in dental care.
“When I was 17 I did a student exchange to Denmark. My host dad was a dentist and I’d go into his dental practice after work, and just really liked that kind of environment”, she says.
As a dental hygienist, CPL Jeffers’s role is to treat gum disease and help people maintain good oral health by educating them on how to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
“It’s a very rewarding job; someone comes in with a problem and you can identify that and fix it, and have them feeling better in no time.”
While the day-to-day role of dental hygienist in the Army is the same as in civvy street, she says her patients are different; Army personnel tend to be fit with few medical problems, so the job involves more education and preventive treatment.
Maintaining the oral health of Army personnel is important, she says. “In the field or on deployments, your mouth, teeth and gums can change quite rapidly depending on your environment. For example, if your immune system is affected from being in a really hot country, or a change from your home environment, it has the potential to affect your mouth quite dramatically if it is not kept healthy.”
CPL Jeffers joined the Army in 2001, as a dental assistant. After a deployment to East Timor in 2002, and a year off working in the UK and the Cayman Islands, she returned to train as a dental hygienist. The Army supported her to complete the two- year Diploma of Dental Hygiene at Otago University.
She made the trade change attracted to the challenge of working autonomously. She was also keen to take a more practical role, and treat patients from start to finish. It’s been a good change, she says.
“It’s very rewarding when you have patients coming back for recalls and they’re happy about the condition of their mouth. It’s also rewarding just seeing the work you've done.”
As a recent graduate, CPL Jeffers has appreciated the supportive work environment at Linton Dental Centre, where she is posted. “We've got a great team here”, she says. “And within the whole of Defence, all the dental centres work closely with one another, and there’s a great support network.”
To people considering becoming a dental hygienist, she says you need to enjoy working with people, and be interested in health and well being.
“It’s a great profession, and it’s a good trade within the Army – it’s really fun and different, and it’s quite a useful trade, both within and outside the Army.”
Dental hygienists maintain good dental health amongst personnel through clinical skills and education. Their tasks include scaling and debridement of deposits from teeth and gums, taking X-rays, making mouth guards, polishing and bleaching teeth, fillings, advising patients on oral hygiene education, and providing fluoride treatments.
Training
To become an Army dental hygienist you need to hold a Diploma of Dental Hygiene or Bachelor of Oral Health (or equivalent), and be registered with the Dental Council.
Army dental assistants may be selected to study for the three-year Bachelor of Oral Health at Otago University.
Could I be a dental hygienist?
Dental hygienists need to be able to relate well to people. They need to be caring and sensitive, with the ability to listen and empathise. They also need good decision-making, problem-solving and organisational skills.
This page was last reviewed on 12 March 2009 and is current.
