Most dental hygienists practice in private dental offices where they provide a wide range of preventative dental services, including periodontal examination, scaling and debridement, radiography, dental sealants constructing bleaching trays, and providing oral hygiene instructions for patients with special needs.

In recent years there has been an increase in knowledge about the progression and treatment of periodontal disease. Ultrasonic instrumentation has been refined and several chemotherapeutic agents are being used in the treatment of periodontal disease. Dentists and dental hygienists are successfully treating periodontal disease in their practices. Dental hygiene has evolved into a challenging career offering attractive income potential.