dental hygienist

noun

: a licensed dental professional who cleans and examines teeth

Examples of dental hygienist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Toni Pelayo spent more than 30 years working as a dental hygienist in private practice. Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026 The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis has projected national shortages in 2038 of many types of health care workers, including nurses, physical therapists, dental hygienists and physicians, among others. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 Speech language pathologists, nurse injectors, and dental hygienists all make into the six-figures. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026 Other survivalists competing for the $250,000 prize include Amey, a dental hygienist; Summer, a general manager; Rhoman, a sales liaison; Katie, an administrative assistant; Olsen, a student; Luke, a construction worker; Polly, a math teacher; RJ, a project manager; and Doug, a business consultant. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dental hygienist

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dental hygienist was in 1916

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Cite this Entry

“Dental hygienist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dental%20hygienist. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

dental hygienist

noun
: a person who assists a dentist especially in cleaning teeth

Medical Definition

dental hygienist

noun
: a person who assists a dentist especially in cleaning teeth

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