A Dental Hygienist is one of the fastest growing careers today because it not only pays well, but it also allows for a flexible schedule. With an associates degree, you can launch your career and work in an office. However, if you see yourself working in public programs, such as school, you will need to have a bachelors degree.
The skills for this career will vary; depending on where you live and the amount of training you have. While most people interested in this career will go to college, others receive on-the-job training instead. You will need to possess people skills since you will be dealing with others frequently. Some people do not mind the dentist office while others are scared and afraid; children and adults. You need to be able to talk to them and calm them down so their visit is not dreadful, but caring and compassionate.
There is a difference between a Dental Assistant and a Dental Hygienist. The assistant manages the front of the office; answering phones, verifying insurance coverage, scheduling appointments, and more. A hygienist is responsible for more patient care. An assistant will not go to college as long of a time nor will the education be as thorough as it is for a Dental Hygienist.
Duties in this career include taking impressions of teeth, take and develop x-rays, educating patients on proper mouth care, assist in procedures, sterilize equipment, filing, appointment scheduling, and other office tasks. Take new patient history, scrape plaque and tarter from teeth, apply fluoride treatments to teeth, give local anesthetics, remove sutures, make notes in charts, and make molds of patients teeth.
The potential to become a Dentist is high. You work side by side with the dentist all day, every day and you assist in procedures. The skills that you learn while assisting will eventually pay off if you want to go further and get your dentistry degree.
According to the United States Department of Labor, you can expect to make between $44,900 and $92,860 a year, with an average of $65,000 to start. This is a very successful career and one that you will enjoy. This is a base line to give you an idea of your potential. Be sure to consider the minimal when you are first starting out.
Contact your local dentist offices before you spend time and money in training for a new career to see if you can work with them for a short amount of time. You want to be sure that this career is right for you.
If you are interested in becoming a Dental Hygienist, you must first locate an accredited school that offers the course. You have several options to choose from here; online courses or local college. If you know of a dentist office that is hiring any position or if you already work for a office, you may be able to receive on-the-job-training from the dentist office and never have to go to college. Dentists tend to offer this service more because the hygienist can be trained the way that they need or want the help. Some dental offices specialize in assisting children while others help people of all ages.
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