It is important to note that, in nearly all locations, a dental hygienist has to obtain formal training and education before it is possible to be licensed. Generally, most jurisdictions require at least a two year degree in dental hygiene, as well as a number of science related courses as part of the program. A hygienist will usually have taken courses that provide background in oral anatomy,pharmacology, nutrition, and periodontology. Advanced education, involving four to six years of study, is growing in popularity. With advanced training, a student is able to seek a broader range of certification to allow him or her to engage in more procedures related to dental care.

Perhaps the single most common group of tasks associated with the profession involves preventive dental care. Teeth cleaning is often taken care of by the dental hygienist. Along with cleaning, the hygienist often engages in sealings, root planing, and in educating then patient in general oral hygiene. In some places, it has become common in dentistry clinics for the hygienist to handle teeth bleaching procedures as well.