For anybody concerned about economic instability, thinking about enrolling in dental hygienist school is worthwhile. Every neighborhood requires dental practices to serve their population. With multiple positions available for each office, working as a dental hygienist can offer job stability. Other jobs are available in hospitals, outpatient centers, and hospitals. Over one hundred and fifty thousand dental hygienists work in the United States. A recent study published by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the top growing fields in the United States. Dental hygiene was ranked as number eighteen with an anticipated growth of 30%. Dental hygiene positions are often part time, frequently with weekend or evening hours available. Weekend and evening hours are also generally available, making the position ideal for parents of school aged children.

Dental hygienists work closely with the clients along with the dentists, dental assistants and dental technicians. Most dental hygienists work in dental clinics or offices. Many dental hygienists part time. Often they work from more than one office or have evening and weekend hours. The flexibility of the position is often considered to be one of the most attractive parts of working as a dental hygienist.

Patient education is a large part of the responsibilities, making an outgoing, friendly personality helpful. Being able to relate to patients and to clearly explain preventive health care methods is important for being an effective dental hygienist.

In addition to education, dental hygienists have a variety of other roles. Screening patients, documenting their condition for the dentist, preparing laboratory tests and doing paperwork are a few of the jobs that are expected of a dental hygienist. Other tasks expected of dental hygienists are oral cleaning, performing visual examinations for gum disease and infection, application of anti-cavity solutions and creating dental impressions for additional study. Depending on which state the office is located, they may also give anesthetics and apply temporary fillings.

Anybody thinking about going to school to become a dental hygienist needs to make sure that the program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). While accreditation is not mandatory for taking licensing exams (the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a state or regional clinical test), it is likely that potential employers will hire based at least in part on having attended reputable dental hygiene programs.

Most dental hygienist school offers two year Associate programs, however some universities offer four year Bachelor’s degree options to students as well. Bachelor’s degrees provide a well rounded educational experience with more general education requirements, possibly giving job applicants an edge over graduates from a two year college program.

Dental hygienist classes can be found in universities, technical schools, community colleges and dental schools. Both two and four year degrees will require a high school diploma or equivalency, high school level English, math, biology and chemistry, a C average and a minimum of 18 years of age.

Choosing to register at a school offering dental hygienist school classes is a fantastic step toward the future. If you take the time to research the dental hygienist programs that is right for you, you will be able to start over in a new promising career.


  
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