Updated: July 05, 2025 - The Dental Hygienist performs preventive dental procedures and periodontal treatments, evaluates oral health, and assists in diagnosing gum disease through instrumental exams and visual assessments. This role involves providing patient education on oral hygiene, dietary habits, and preventive care, while also participating in community outreach and dental health initiatives. The hygienist also conducts cleanings, applies fluoride and sealants, administers medications, develops X-rays, and maintains comprehensive patient records for ongoing periodontal care.


An Introduction to Professional Skills and Functions for Dental Hygienist with a Cover Letter
1. Performance Expectations for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Schedule dental hygiene visits per agreed-upon FTE status.
- See 7-9 patients per clinical day.
- Clean and polish teeth, polish fillings, and other metal restorations.
- Instruct patients in good oral hygiene habits and aftercare.
- Assist the dentist and take X-rays.
- Understand and follow infection control procedures.
- Attend and participate in monthly staff meetings, other meetings, and in-service trainings.
- Promote positive interpersonal relationships with fellow employees, dentists, and patients.
- Ensure confidentiality of patient information.
- Follow all clinical protocols and procedures as outlined in the Provider Handbook.
- Actively supports the decision-making of the Senior Management team.
Skills: Dental Scheduling, Patient Care, Dental Cleaning, Oral Hygiene Instruction, Dental Assisting, Infection Control, Interpersonal Communication, Confidentiality Compliance
2. Expertise Areas for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Full mouth scale and polish
- Full mouth and quadrant periodontal therapy
- Administer local anaesthetics
- Conduct initial mouth screenings and check oral health history
- Identify conditions like gingivitis, caries, or periodontitis
- Clean and help protect patients’ teeth (e.g., remove plaque or apply fluoride)
- Educate patients of all ages on proper teeth care (by demonstrating, for example, good brushing techniques)
- Give instructions to patients after operations or other dental procedures
Skills: Full Mouth Scaling, Periodontal Therapy, Local Anesthetic Administration, Oral Health Assessment, Disease Identification, Dental Prophylaxis, Patient Education, Post-Procedure Instruction
3. Primary Focus for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Provide oral measurement examinations for research study patients under the general direction of the principal investigator.
- Record findings and measurements in the medical record according to study parameters.
- Provide information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests related to the research study.
- Actively participate in calls and meetings related to the study.
- Communicate regularly with study team members, internal and external.
- Stay abreast of study-related details and requirements.
- Troubleshoot and resolve problems.
Skills: Oral Examinations, Record Keeping, Patient Communication, Study Support, Meeting Participation, Team Collaboration, Study Compliance, Problem Solving
4. Success Indicators for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Give and receive accurate and complete information to parents and doctors while displaying professionalism and performing accurate and thorough charting of patient data.
- Instruct the patient and parent on the proper oral hygiene.
- Take and develop radiographs of a consistent, good diagnostic quality for review by the dentist.
- Perform all necessary housekeeping procedures, including keeping all work areas properly stocked.
- Manage spills and patient accidents.
- Place topical anesthetics, rubber dam, placement of occlusal sealants using four-handed dental assisting techniques if assisting is necessary.
- Page, greet, and seat the patient.
- Scale and polish primary and permanent dentition and apply topical fluoride.
- Prepare electronic documents, including discharge summary and school/work excuse.
- Maintain equipment and supplies as directed by the clinic coordinator.
- Keep treatment rooms cleaned and properly stocked.
- Prepare electronic discharge documents and school/work excuses.
- Assist in the clinic and hospital OR, including proper room set up, chair assistance, and clean up according to hospital and clinic standards.
- Schedule recall appointments.
Skills: Patient Communication, Oral Hygiene Instruction, Radiograph Processing, Room Preparation, Accident Management, Dental Assisting, Dental Prophylaxis, Appointment Scheduling
5. Operational Overview for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Document the dental history and chief complaint of the patient.
- Assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontic, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients.
- Deliver direct patient care to patients.
- Develop and implement individualized dental care plans for patients.
- Well-fitted out practice with the latest equipment/technology for great patient care and experience
- Discount continuous professional development (CPD)
- Establish career pathways, with clinical and non-clinical roles, to further develop the career
Skills: Dental History Documentation, Condition Assessment, Patient Care, Care Plan Development, Technology Utilization, Professional Development, Career Pathways, Clinical Skills
6. Essential Functions for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Deliver orthodontic services under the supervision of orthodontists
- Patient education and oral hygiene
- Take digital radiographs
- Accountable for patient records - digital scanning, clinical photography, and impressions
- Lead team huddles to manage clinical workflow
- Follow practice protocols - quality assurance, biohazards, infection control
- Stock all needed supplies and maintain equipment.
- Properly handle specialty referrals
Skills: Orthodontic Assistance, Patient Education, Digital Radiography, Records Management, Team Leadership, Protocol Compliance, Supply Management, Referral Coordination
7. Benchmark Metrics for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Performs prophylactic dental treatment, including dental hygiene and treatment for periodontal disease as prescribed by the dentist.
- Instructs patients in oral therapy, toothbrush procedures, and proper diet and nutrition related to oral health.
- Provides oral health education and organizes dental prevention activities for clinic patients and community groups.
- Performs instrumental examinations with dentists in the evaluation of the teeth and surrounding tissue
- Feels and visually evaluates gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Examines with dentists and evaluates gums to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- Feels the lymph nodes under a patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate the presence of oral cancer.
- Cleans and removes calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath the margins of gums with hand and mechanical instruments.
- Applies fluorides and other cavity-preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
- Charts the conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by a dentist.
- Exposes, develops, mounts, and files x-ray film.
- Makes impressions for study casts and administers local anesthetic agents and nitrous oxide.
- Removes excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth.
- Administers prescribed medication, applies desensitizing agents, and sealants.
- Develops and maintains a periodontal recall system.
Skills: Prophylactic Treatment, Oral Health Education, Instrumental Examination, Gum Evaluation, Dental Cleaning, Fluoride Application, X-ray Processing, Impression Taking
What Are the Qualifications and Requirements for Dental Hygienist in a Cover Letter?
1. Account Management Best Practices for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Successful completion of a Dental Hygiene Diploma or Hygiene Degree program
- Registered with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO)
- Valid CPR Certification
- Strong written and communication skills
- Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills
- Punctual and reliable
- Excellent customer service skills and able to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers.
Qualifications: BS in Pre-Dentistry with 1 year of Experience
2. Product and Service Knowledge for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Valid hygiene license to practice
- In-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations in this profession (e.g., HIPAA, OSHA)
- Experience in preparing and maintaining dental instruments and equipment
- Outstanding communication skills with a patient and friendly personality
- Must have extreme attention to detail
- Knowledge and understanding of associated dental procedures, terminology, and techniques.
- Must have good computer skills.
- Must be able to follow directions and listen to the needs of patients.
Qualifications: BS in Public Health with 2 years of Experience
3. Collaborative Teamwork for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Willing to work before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency
- Licensed as a Florida Registered Dental Hygienist
- Verifiable work experience providing services in a Dentistry office
- Verifiable work experience and basic computer skills to include knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Ability to work with a diverse population
- Knowledge of dental hygiene principles and practices
- Knowledge of dental terminology and understanding of the dental sealant program
- Skill in using dental instruments and equipment, and in performing dental prophylaxis
- Ability to prioritize and organize workload and work independently
- Knowledge and experience in working with children
- Knowledge of sterilization procedures and regulatory requirements
- Able to navigate the internet, use office and necessary systems/software, and standard office equipment and supplies related to the position (HMS, People First, FLOSS)
Qualifications: BS in Dental Hygiene with 5 years of Experience
4. Negotiation Skills for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Current dental hygienist license in the state
- Excellent working knowledge of dentistry, dental hygiene procedures, dental patient screening, and medical history documentation
- Hold a CPR Certification
- Experience using Velscope, Diagnodent, digital scanner, digital X-rays, and electronic medical record systems
- In-depth knowledge of dental safety regulations and HIPAA regulations
- Desire to continue learning and grow clinical skills to meet the needs of patients and provide preventative care, and overall maintenance of patients’ dental health
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Excellent working facilities and the latest equipment
- Highest standards of clinical governance and expert support
Qualifications: BS in Health Sciences with 3 years of Experience
5. Key Achievements for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- A valid Registered Dental Hygienist License issued by the Dental Hygienist Committee of California
- Verifiable full-time experience as a Dental Hygienist
- Ability to obtain within two weeks of hire, and maintenance of a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate issued by the American Heart Association
- Experience performing duties as a dental hygienist
- Strong background in public health
- Desire to work with patients who have multiple chronic problems, which may include medical, mental health, substance abuse, and psychosocial problems
- Sensitivity to and experience working with ethnically and culturally diverse individuals, communities, agencies, and organizations
Qualifications: BS in Community Health with 4 years of Experience
6. Industry Knowledge for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Previous dental hygiene experience
- Experience working in a public health dental clinic
- Licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry as a Dental Hygienist
- Demonstrable record of reliable attendance, punctuality, and proven successful performance at past and present employers
- Demonstrated exemplary tact, discretion, confidentiality, and diplomacy
- Ability to read, write, and understand written and oral instructions in English
- A record of exemplary customer service experience
Qualifications: BS in Allied Health Sciences with 2 years of Experience
7. Experience and Qualifications for Dental Hygienist Cover Letter
- Knowledge of dental disease prevention techniques, dental prophylaxis techniques and procedures, and public health dental programs.
- Advanced skill in the use of dental tools and equipment.
- Ability to clean and care for human teeth, to instruct patients and Direct Support Staff in the proper care of teeth and gums, and to expose, develop, and mount X-rays.
- Knowledge of OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Precautions, rules, and regulations related to body fluids and Biomedical Waste handling.
- Ability to appropriately apply restraints as outlined in the individual's served Annual Rights Assessment completed by the Interdisciplinary Team and/or appropriately signed consents to prevent unintentional injury to the individual or staff during dental procedures.
- Knowledge and skill in the use of available adaptive aides, which are used to provide dental care to persons with mental, physical, or behavioral challenges
- Knowledge of medical terminology and medical conditions that impact dental health, especially those commonly seen in ICF-IDD facilities
- Knowledge and ability to identify abnormal dental conditions and make appropriate referrals to a licensed dentist for treatments beyond the scope of practice of a dental hygienist
Qualifications: BS in Chemistry with 6 years of Experience