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What is a Dental Hygienist?

Dental hygiene is considered to be one of the top best health care support jobs, both financially and emotionally rewarding. It is listed in the top 100 jobs, according to the US News; and Forbes included dental hygiene in its list entitled, “The Best Jobs That Don’t Require a Four-Year Degree”.

Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to care for patients oral health. Because of the low-stress dental hygienists experience at the workplace, hygienists have a fulfilling career, and many stay in their jobs into their 60’s. Learn more about the rapidly growing and expanding the field of dental hygiene.

WHAT DOES A DENTAL HYGIENIST DO?

Dental hygienists are the ones who prep their patient’s mouth for the dentist. They are the people who clean the teeth, examine the mouth for signs of any concerning oral conditions such as gum disease or oral cancers. They also will document the visit and educate the patient on how to take better care of and explain preventative measures of their mouths, teeth, and gums. 

Dental hygienists may take mouth x-rays, and apply tooth sealants and protectants. Tools hygienists use to clean teeth and gums are usually manual, powered, or ultrasonic, and they may use lasers, as well.

Some dentist offices will have their Registered Dental Hygienists administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide, place fillings, remove sutures, polish restorations, and do some minor periodontal procedures such as root planing.

Dental hygienists perform their duties in a variety of settings beyond dentist offices. They may be employed in community health centers, nursing homes, prisons, schools and colleges, and state and federal government facilities.

SKILLS OF A SUCCESSFUL DENTAL HYGIENIST

Strong Communication Skills: As a dental hygienist, you’re working closely with both the doctor and the patient. So, it’s important that you’re able to clearly and effectively communicate important details.

Attention to Details: An excellent dental hygienist needs to be able to catch even the most minute detail within the confines of the patient’s mouth.

Better-than-decent Dexterity: Your hands are dangling in the mouths of patients so they need to be super steady because one slip and you can severely hurt them. Shaky hands equal scared sufferer.

Passionate about their position: You need to love all things oral health because you are the one who informs and educates your patients on best practices. Also, patients love hygienists who are enthusiastic and outgoing; it makes for a better visit because not too many people love visiting their dentist.

Superior Stamina: As a dental hygienist, you’re moving around a lot. You’re constantly switching from sitting to standing which, while good exercise (think squats!), can be exhausting.

HOW TO BECOME A DENTAL HYGIENIST

Most dental hygienists start out in a community college or trade school in the dental hygiene program. Typically, an Associate’s in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene is the most common path and the one most preferred by potential employers. Most dental hygiene programs require one year of college curriculum with a GPA of 2.5 of higher before entering the program. Programs will take anywhere from two to four years, depending on whether you’re going for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. All programs are similar, whether you’re going for an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. Both have general ed classes, as well as those that pertain directly to dental hygiene. However, when going for a bachelor’s degree, the courses go more in-depth, allowing the student a deeper knowledge of the field. While the bachelor’s degree option is perfect for those who plan on teaching, going into the research aspect of dental hygiene, or working in a clinical setting for schools or public health programs, an associate’s degree plus the certification is all that’s necessary to be employable.

In the associate’s degree program for dental hygiene, there are 24 credits of general education and 50 credits of core courses required, along with 8 elective credits. Bachelor’s degrees have a higher course credit requirement. 45 general elective credits, 68 core class credits, and 6 elective credits.

Dental hygiene coursework will include both classroom and practical, or hands-on, learning. Most programs include anatomy and physiology, microbiology and immunology, intro to dental hygiene, dental anatomy, periodontics, head and neck anatomy, and radiology in their curriculum.

(02/23/2021)
by Career School Now

More Information: https://careerschoolnow.org/careers/dental-hygienist

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