A dental hygienist is a registered oral health professional who performs a variety of roles including clinical active therapy, health promotion, education, administration and research in a variety of practice environments.

In all roles and practice environments, the dental hygienist works with the client/patient and other health professionals and using a problem-solving framework, bases all decisions, judgments, and interventions on current dental hygiene research and theory.

As a registrant of a self-regulating profession, a dental hygienist must practice safely, ethically and effectively for the promotion of the oral health and well-being of the public of Ontario.