So many people hate going to the dentist. I'm studying to be a dental hygienist though!
Wow, being a licensed dental professional seems like hard work
It requires a lot of studying. I am starting to work on patients in the clinic now. 
So are you learning alot about the prevention and treatment of many oral diseases?
Yes, I am! Everything from cleaning teeth to spotting signs of oral cancer.  I have to admit, I'm kind of repulsed by saliva, though!
Saliva testing
Saliva testing is a diagnostic technique that involves laboratory analysis of saliva to identify markers of endocrine, immunologic, inflammatory, infectious, and other types of conditions. Saliva is a useful biological fluid for assaying steroid hormones such as cortisol, genetic material like RNA, proteins such as enzymes and antibodies, and a variety of other substances, including natural metabolites, including saliva nitrite, a biomarker for nitric oxide status (see below for Cardiovascular Disease, Nitric Oxide: a salivary biomarker for cardio-protection).
peak body representing registered dental hygiene service providers in Australia.
A dental hygienist does not need to be employed by a dentist but can independently assess patients and make treatment plans within their scope of practice whilst working in the community. Practising as an autonomous decision maker, and working within the scope of only what they are "formally" trained in.
The National Law requires the same level of professional responsibility from dental hygienists, oral health therapists and dental therapists as it does from dentists, dental specialists and dental prosthetists in