Should You Become a Dental Hygienist? Many dentists choose to pursue non-clinical dental career opportunities. Examples of public health opportunities include a variety of roles and settings: Research conducted by dental hygienists can be either qualitative or quantitative. Examples of research settings include: Dental Hygiene educators are in great demand. Entrepreneurial opportunities developed by dental hygienists include: Learn more about the education, licensure, and training required for dental hygiene career options. Our matching algorithm will connect you to job training programs that match your schedule, finances, and skill level. The required exam is the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, and many states have other exams or requirements you will need to complete. Prior to completing clinical and written board examinations, registered dental hygienists must have either an Associate's or bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene from an accredited college or university. How your skills fit other career paths. In the dental office, the dentist and the dental hygienist work together to meet the oral health needs of patients. How and where you work today is up to you. Dental assistants help with administrative tasks and basic procedures while dental hygienists perform more advanced procedures and work almost exclusively with patients and dentists. They make about $38.00/hr in the Toronto Canada area. Not a good long term profession choice Dental hygienist's seem to enjoy the profession, but I think it's a limiting career choice. Students must keep at least a 2.0 GPA. The dental hygienist job market is expected to grow by 19.7% between 2016 and 2026. If you are considering a dental hygiene program, you'll want to know the requirements set forth by your state. Becoming a dental hygienist is a great way to provide vital healthcare in a more relaxed setting than in a hospital or emergency room. Within each state, you can find in-depth Dental Hygienists salary, employment, education, training and available Dental Hygienists jobs. After earning your degree, you will need to take the license exam and pass to earn your license. And then we add some stress! I don't know any dental hygienist who does this full-time or is able to be self-supporting on this alone. It was during my time working at UNC that I met Stacy. Required fields are marked *. To be accepted into any college, you will need to either complete high school and earn a diploma or earn a GED. Dental Hygienist Careers. As a dental hygienist, you play an integral role in assisting patients in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health. Feb 10th, 2014 . A Dental Hygienist can make around $74,000 a year on average in the United States. I am married to one. Most people’s favorite part of leaving the dentist is how clean their teeth feel afterward. Quantitative research involves conducting surveys & analyzing the results, while qualitative research may involve testing a new procedure, product, or theory for accuracy or effectiveness. While dental hygienists do not earn quite as much as dentists, they still bring in respectable annual salaries. Medical Assisting – Become a medical assistant and launch a career … The Dental Hygienist will manage the re-call program, coordinate and schedule treatment and provide clinical dental hygiene services for the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Program. Bilingual Dental Hygienist (RDH) We are seeking a qualified Dental Hygienist (RDH) for an immediate opening. A career in dental hygiene has many rewarding aspects, which include job security, flexibility in work schedule, and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping individuals in need. If this interests you, research potential schools before enrolling so that you can enroll in one that offers this option. For those with a passion for dental hygiene who do not wish to practice clinically, there are many career paths outside of the operatory available in education, research, administration, public health and corporate business. If you want to enhance your job prospects, consider working in underserved areas, and working part-time. By earning a master’s degree or doctorate, you qualify not only for higher positions and pay, but also jobs in research. Full Time Regular - Posted days ago. If you want to advance your career, focus on gaining work experience, taking specialization courses, and even earning a higher degree. Working in underserved areas means there are likely more employment opportunities, and if you are willing to work part-time, you are more likely to be hired. Renewal times differ based upon state requirements, but the licenses do expire, so it is important to renew it on time. To graduate, students must also complete clinical and laboratory training. Take the stress out of picking a bootcamp, Learn web development basics in HTML, CSS, JavaScript by building projects, Basic Computer Skills: Improve Your Resume and Cover Letter. The average base salary for dental hygienist jobs in Arizona is $38.95 per hour. A dental hygienist or oral hygienist is a licensed dental professional, registered with a dental association or regulatory body within their country of practice. While dental hygienists aren’t quite nurses, they are extremely important to the health of our mouths and teeth. This can be on an individual basis or in groups. Dental hygienists work with a diverse group of people, and they often have to deliver bad news such as telling someone they need a root canal or braces. The dental hygienist contributes to the business success of Dental Associates by providing quality dental hygiene care, excellent patient relations and effective interpersonal communication. And don’t forget to ask questions. The average salary for all dental hygienists pays around $76,200 per year. Colleges and universities throughout the U. S. require dental hygiene instructors who use educational theory and methodology to educate competent oral health care professionals. These are generally entry-level positions, so if they can be endured for a couple of years, you will very likely receive a pay raise. Adults interested in a dental hygienist career could earn a diploma in two semesters at Western Iowa Tech Community College. While the dentist will double-check your work, it is important to notice small details about your patients because they could be hinting at much more serious health problems. When you go to a dentist appointment, you are first seen by a dental hygienist. Dental hygiene program students and graduates often think of clinical practice in a dental office or clinic as a singular career path. Oftentimes, most of the dentist appointment is spent with the dental hygienist. Their job is basically to assist the dentist in any way possible and necessary, so they perform a lot of the processes we experience during appointments. Volunteering in a dental office or shadowing a dental hygienist can be a great way to experience the day-to-day of the job before diving in. If you want a career in the dental industry, but you do not want to become a dentist, you may want to look into becoming a dental hygienist. Arguably the most important task dental hygienists have is to teach patients oral hygiene. HHA Schools – Learn how to become a home health aide in your state. If you want a career in the dental industry, but you do not want to become a dentist, you may want to look into becoming a dental hygienist. Dental hygienists are responsible for deep-cleaning patients’ teeth, treating them with any fluoride treatments if necessary, and polishing their teeth. These are all good jobs, all of them either utilizing some skill that a dental hygienist would have or being a stepping stone to a different career. After earning your license, you will need to make note of how often it must be renewed. Most dental hygienists earn their diploma through a university or community college, but you can also earn one through dental schools. While some of the classes and the license exam can be challenging, becoming a dental hygienist should be a relatively easy process if you follow these steps. Examples of administrative positions include: By using imagination and creativity to initiate or finance new commercial enterprises, dental hygienists have become successful entrepreneurs in a variety of businesses. Take this quiz to get offers and scholarships from top bootcamps and online schools! Dental Hygiene – Learn one of the most in-demand healthcare careers out there. Becoming a dental hygienist is an awesome career and it is a good way to work toward becoming a dentist. These are all listed as CODA requirements, so you will need to take this seriously. Dental hygienists see patients before the dentist. This typically includes a fee, but once you pass the exams and submit your application, it is just a waiting game for your license. If researching interests you, consider pursuing a graduate-level degree. They perform a wide array of tasks that help dentists to perform their jobs better. From mentors invested…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. Aspen Dental-branded practices are independently owned and operated by licensed dentists. Salary estimates are based on 394 salaries submitted anonymously to Indeed by dental hygienist employees, users, and collected from past and present job posts on Indeed in the past 36 months. Leaders throughout the dental industry often employ dental hygienists due to their clinical experience and understanding of dental practice. No, you cannot become a dental hygienist without a degree. The ADA Center for Professional Success offers the Alternative Dental Careers resource to help you make an informed decision on which career path may be best for you. They’re pretty much exactly what you’d expect a lot of former dental … It is very possible to earn six figures working as a dental hygienist. Having good people skills allows this to be done tastefully and respectfully. The average degree program only takes two years to complete and you can apply for a license right as you graduate. How and where you work today is up to you. The dental hygiene profession draws strong academic performers who tend to become lifelong learners and create satisfying careers in a number of ways. Dental hygienists carry out procedures such as: 1. scaling teeth (at times under local anaesthetic) 2. polishing teeth 3. applying topical fluoride and fissure sealants They work in hospitals and in community dental services, but most frequently in general dental practice. Sometimes you can even apply for your license one or two months before graduating so that you have a headstart on job hunting. And our hygienists at Mountain Dental are vital to patient care and key to the success of our practices. It would also be a good idea to work or volunteer in a medical setting, if possible. However, you can potentially become a dental assistant without a degree. Becoming a practicing dental hygienist can take less than four years, but career advancement in this field takes much more time, education and focus. 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