Group
Occupation
269131 Dental Hygienist
Latest release
Consultation draft: Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)
Reference period
August 2026
Released
17/08/2026
First release
269131 Dental Hygienist
Assesses, diagnoses, treats, manages and educates to prevent oral disease, and promotes healthy oral behaviours. This may include non-surgical periodontal or gum treatment, preventative services and other oral care.
Registration or licensing is required.
Skill level: 1
Main tasks
- Assesses, diagnoses, treats, manages and records patients' oral health status
- Performs dental cleaning to remove plaque and calculus from teeth
- Applies fluoride treatments and dental sealants
- Takes dental radiographs (X-rays) to assist in diagnosis
- Provides oral hygiene instructions and education to patients
- Performs non-surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing) to treat gum disease
- Collaborates with other dental practitioners to ensure optimal patient care