What a dental hygienist does
A registered dental hygienist assesses patients' oral health, removes plaque and calculus, performs scaling and root planing, applies preventive treatments and teaches patients how to care for their teeth at home. For many patients, the hygienist is the person they see most often at your practice. Their recall appointments keep the schedule full, and the conditions they spot often lead to the restorative care your dentists provide. When a hygiene chair sits empty, the effect reaches the whole practice.
Hygienists in Ontario practise with a high degree of professional independence, and the best ones have choices about where they work. Finch asks about your appointment length, patient mix, periodontal focus and how your hygiene team works with the dentists. We confirm registration, ask about clinical habits and look for candidates whose approach matches your practice, from those who enjoy long-term periodontal maintenance to those who are comfortable with children and anxious patients.
Typical responsibilities
- Review medical histories and assess periodontal health, including charting and pocket depths
- Perform scaling and root planing, polishing and fluoride or sealant applications
- Take and assess radiographs as part of the hygiene appointment
- Identify findings that need the dentist's attention or clearance before treatment continues
- Teach patients about home care, diet and the effects of smoking on oral health
- Document assessments, treatment and recommendations accurately in the chart
Qualifications and credentials
- Registration with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO)
- A diploma from an accredited dental hygiene program and a pass on the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination
- Current knowledge of CDHO standards, including when clearance is needed before self-initiating scaling and root planing
- Experience with periodontal charting and the imaging and practice software your office uses
- For practices in other provinces, registration with that province's dental hygiene regulator
Who hires a dental hygienist
- General dental practices
- Periodontal and paediatric specialty offices
- Multi-location dental groups
- Independent dental hygiene clinics
- Public health and community dental programs
Where we recruit dental hygienist candidates
We fill dental hygienist roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Confirm CDHO registration and check the public register for any restrictions
- Discuss how the hygienist handles self-initiation and contraindications under current CDHO standards
- Review periodontal assessment, instrumentation and infection control habits through scenario questions
- Confirm comfort with your appointment length, patient mix and recall volume
- Check references from dentists or office managers who have worked alongside them
Interview questions to ask
- How do you decide when a patient needs clearance before you begin scaling?
- How do you encourage a patient who has not kept up with home care?
- Walk me through a periodontal maintenance appointment in the time we usually book.