Dental Care

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. Additionally, older dentists with less experience employing dental hygienists are retiring, making way for a new generation of dentists eager to expand their practices by hiring help with simpler procedures.

Employment in dentists’ offices is only one kind of work available to dental 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.

Flexible hours are available for dental hygienists to choose from. Working part time hours or multiple work locations is often an option. 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 an ideal path for extroverts who enjoy providing direct care to patients. 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. Dentists, dental technicians and assistants work with them to give thorough dental 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. Additionally, they are expected to do office work including screening patients, preparing lab tests and general administrative work.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) has approved over three hundred schools in the U.S, but there are many others that are lacking this certification. Selecting a school with accreditation will make a graduate more appealing to potential employers, even though it is not required for the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) or state or regional clinical tests. Licensing is only valid in the state where the exams were taken, which may also affect the choice of schools.

This major can be found in universities, dental schools and community colleges, as well as some smaller training schools. 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. Some programs also require two semesters of college level classes before applying for the program.

Most students elect to take a two year path, though a four year degree can be preferable in some cases. For the purposes of taking the licensing examinations, two year degrees are sufficient. 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.

For anybody looking for a career change, dental hygienist training can be a fantastic choice. Returning students who select dental hygiene education won’t regret the decision.