In a clinic or hospital setting, a dental hygienist works under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The dental hygienist aims to improve oral and overall health by providing preventive, therapeutic and educational services to the public in the State of Qatar. Dental hygiene services include assessing general and oral health status, advising patients on oral hygiene, removing dental deposits and stains, applying cavity-preventing agents, performing radiographic exams, examining patients’ teeth and gums, taking measurements, taking impressions and recording the presence of oral diseases and abnormalities. The dental hygienist is a critical member of the oral health care team and an advocate for overall health promotion.
The Dental Hygiene curriculum is a balance of didactic and clinical training. Dental hygiene training is supplemented with seminars, lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical practice sessions, group work, independent study, problem-based learning and community outreach. Instruction will begin with gaining general health and science knowledge in the first year pre-requisite courses and advances into the community and client care while working with the public in the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar Dental Clinic. In the final year, the emphasis is placed on developing entry-to-practice level competencies, professionalism and skills.
CNA–Q’s Dental Hygiene program is fully aligned to the Canadian Dental Hygienist Association’s (CDHA) competencies and the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada’s (CDAC)standards. The Dental Hygiene program also meets or exceeds the current scope of practice for Dental Hygienists in Qatar, as outlined by the Ministry of Public Health.