With an unstable economy, going to school for dental hygienist education is a wise choice. The demand for dental hygiene positions grows as more people require dental health care. Fewer elderly people are losing teeth. The link between dental health and general physical health is becoming more clear as well. Previous generations of dentists performed many of the tasks now assigned to dental hygienists. Younger dentists, familiar with the help of dental hygienists, are more willing to hire help in order to build their client base more easily.
Dentists’ offices are not the only employers looking for hygienists. Larger dental clinics, outpatient centers and hospitals hire dental hygienists to help with their increased workload. Over one hundred and fifty thousand dental hygienists are currently working in the United States, but the field has been ranked as the 18th fastest growing field by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics has listed dental hygiene in the top twenty fastest growing fields. As the field grows, so does the need for hygienists with thorough dental hygiene training.
Dental hygienists often work flexible hours, most often part time and many times in more than one office. Evening and weekend hours are usually available, a practical option for parents of children too young to be left alone. Many dental hygienists cite the flexible schedule as their favorite part of the job.
Training for dental hygienist work is often appealing to outgoing people who look forward to one on one patient contact. Teaching patients about proper oral health care is a large part of what dental hygienists do, so effective communication skills are important. Excellent hand eye coordination are needed so that delicate instruments can be properly used in a patient’s mouth without causing injury.
There are many other jobs that dental hygienists provide. They work alongside dentists, dental assistants and technicians to provide hands on patient care. Cleaning teeth, observing for gum disease and signs of infection, applying fluoride and other anti-cavity treatments and making dental impressions are all regular parts of a dental hygienist’s job. Some states may also permit them to administer anesthetics and temporary fillings. Beyond clinical care, dental hygienists are also expected to screen patients, perform general administrative work and prepare laboratory tests.
There are hundreds of schools offering dental hygiene training in the United States, but not all are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). While accreditation is not mandatory for the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and clinical tests, employers are likely to consider graduates of accredited programs to be more qualified. Licensing is only valid in the state where the exams were taken, which may also affect the choice of schools.
Dental hygiene training is offered at community colleges, trade schools and large universities. High school equivalency and a C average in school, along with science, English and math classes are the minimum requirement in order to attend dental hygiene classes. Additionally, some schools require one year of college before students can apply for the program.
The majority of students elect to take the two year degree, but four year degrees are sometimes preferable. A two year degree is plenty for taking the licensing exams. Employers generally require an Associate degree, although the Bachelor’s degree may make the dental hygienist more qualified in the eyes of the employer. However, a four year degree or even a Master’s degree may be required for teaching or public health programs. Regardless of the degree, there will be a wide variety of clinical, laboratory and classroom experiences and heavy science background.
dental hygienist training is an excellent option for somebody looking for a career change. Returning students who select dental hygienist education won’t regret the decision.