O*NET-SOC 29-1292.00

Dental Hygienists

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

From O*NET 30.3

Tasks

From O*NET 30.3, by importance, as O*NET OnLine lists them

Free · O*NET 30.3

Record and review patient medical histories.Core18536
Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.Core417
Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.Core421
Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.Core416
Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.Core18537
Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.Core418
Expose and develop x-ray film.Core422
Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.Core23921
Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.Core420
Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.Core18538
Maintain patient recall system.Core18539
Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.Core419
Administer local anesthetic agents.Core427
Remove excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth.Core424
Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist.Supplemental428
Make impressions for study casts.Supplemental425

Technology Skills

From O*NET 30.3, 17 examples in 8 categories, 4 Hot Technology

Free · O*NET 30.3

Billing and invoicing software

Dental billing software

Medical software

Dental charting software
Dental clinical records software
Dental digital radiology software
Dental imaging software
Dental intra-oral imaging software
Dental office management software
Henry Schein DentrixHot TechnologyIn Demand
Open Dental
Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft
Voice-activated perio charting software

Electronic mail software

Email software

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft ExcelHot Technology

Office suite software

Microsoft Office softwareHot Technology

Word processing software

Microsoft WordHot Technology

Calendar and scheduling software

Scheduling software

Internet browser software

Web browser software

Detailed Work Activities

From O*NET 30.3, under their work activities; open one for the AI skills Workforce Automation maps to it

Free · O*NET 30.3

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Maintain current knowledge related to work activities.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Scheduling Work and Activities

Schedule appointments.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Performing General Physical Activities

Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Handling and Moving Objects

Fabricate medical devices.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Controlling Machines and Processes

Process x-rays or other medical images.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Documenting/Recording Information

Record patient medical histories.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Assisting and Caring for Others

Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Treat dental problems or diseases.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Direct healthcare delivery programs.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Job Zone

From O*NET 30.3

Free · O*NET 30.3

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

WFA coverage: AI skills for this job

WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

Pilot mapping: these skill links come from our seed list and haven’t been reviewed yet. Expect them to change as each one is checked.

DWAs covered by an AI skill0 of 15

Distinct tools0

Level mix

No tools yet

Equivalents

NICE work roles, with their DCWF equivalents

Mapped to this job by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); roles from NICE Framework Components v2.2.0, DCWF equivalents from DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Free · NICE Framework Components v2.2.0 and DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

No NICE work role maps to this job.