Dental Hygienists Even though there are many jobs in the dental field, I am going to write about dental hygiene in hopes to figure out what a dental hygienist is, what they do on a daily basis, and the steps I should take to make it my career. A dental hygienist, in a lot of patient’s eyes is the person they talk to the most, they connect with, and the majority of the time, is the one who is poking around in their mouths. This chatty person is the one who cleans the nasty gunk off of their teeth and constantly tells them to floss, even though they know he/she is not going to. This job seems like a piece of cake, like all they do is talk about their family, and scrape teeth. In reality, they are highly trained and licensed professionals, working …show more content…
The schooling required to be a dental hygienists is an associate’s degree in dental hygiene, science, or applied science. These degree’s can completed partially online but is eventually required to get educated hands-on. During the hands-on training, they are educated on how to remove plaque, give x-rays, and look for/prevent diseases. Depending on the school and degree, they also may be trained to administer anesthesia. This degree can be completed in three years, but every state requires that they must be licensed. After they finish the course they must pass the exam in that state to become an official dental hygienist. Some of the most common dental hygiene courses are microbiology, nutrition, biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. Some of the courses made specifically for the dental field are, preventative dentistry, dental hygiene, and tooth morphology. The preventative dentistry course teaches students how to read patient files, use dental tools, and how to determine diseases. The dental hygiene course will teach students about proper oral care, and how to recognize periodontal (teeth) and gingival (gums) diseases. The last course, tooth morphology, teaches students the structures of teeth, and also how to interpret dental charts and x-rays. Although most dental hygienists get a job with only an associate’s degree, it is suggested to continue the education and get a bachelors degree. A bachelor’s degree would provide a clear advantage and can be completed completely online. Some of the additional training that a dental hygienist may want to get is business, education, administration, marketing, and public health. The reason extra training may be needed is if someone wants to teach about dental hygiene to students, or even start their own
The best description of a dental hygienist is a professional whose main job is to teach their patients necessary oral hygiene skills and provide great dental care. They perform various tasks around a dentist’s office such as applying fluoride treatments, removing plaque and stains, taking x-rays, removing sutures, placing temporary fillings, and evaluating the patient’s overall health (“Dental Hygienist” Coin Career). Dental hygienists do not just work in a dental office, but they also can work at schools, nursing homes, health clinics, and many other dental settings. Close contact is necessary when doing this job. Working with people is an everyday thing in this profession, so one must be able to communicate and get along with their clients very well. Having certain traits such as excellent hand-eye coordination and great motor skills are very important to posses since dental hygienists work on their patients mouths (Porterfield 4). Communication is vital since dental hygienists are constantly teaching patients how to hav...
Having shadowed a dental hygienist prior to that of a dental assistant I didn’t know what to expect their job to be. Although I did assume a dental assistant’s job consisted of handing instruments to the doctor during the various procedures so I was surprised to see just how many responsibilities they have. Each dental clinic has different expectations of what they require their dental assistant to do in my shadowing experience they were responsible for: preparing the room prior to the patients arrival, greeting the patient upon arrival and inviting them into the operation room, confirming dental history with the patient, briefing them on the procedure they are about to have and what to expect, answering the clients questions to the best of their abilities, assisting the doctor in the procedure and aiding with any tasks required of you, when the patient is ready to leave helping them to look presentable and explaining what to expect after that kind of procedure, updating and verifying dental records, and sanitizing and sterilization of the room and all instruments after departure of
Ever since I was a little kid, I have loved going to the dentist. I was never scared, not even when I went for my fillings and wisdom teeth extractions. Mostly all the hygienist I have had so far have been friendly, patient and always ready to help with a big smile on their face and that is what attracted me towards this career. I want to help people in need that cannot afford the services.
It’s been a long time since the last narrative and a lot has changed. The internship with the dental hygienist failed miserably. After three sessions, my mentor just stopped communicating and cut all ties with me. I attempted to email her multiple times but I remained unheard. So, I had to find a way to troubleshoot and look for another mentor and place to intern at.
The total credit hours include The Dental Hygiene Program. After completing the perquisites and the program, I will graduate with an Associate Degree in Applied Science. The next objective will next be to become certified as a dental hygienist. This is completed by taking state and certifying examinations. Training usually includes one to two years, including being on the job experience and informal training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, skills necessary are interpersonal skills, physical stamina, dexterity, detail oriented and compassion. It is only recommended that a student should at least major in an Associate Degree in Applied Science. A student can also acquire a bachelor’s degree, but it is not necessary for this career. It is recommended to acquire this degree if the student is planning on branching away from dental
Dentistry as a profession over the years has evolved rapidly in light of new scientific evidence. Rapidly evolving science and technology have implemented changes within dentistry as evidenced by new standards and guidelines being produced by nationally recognised associations including National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) in Scotland, in provision of new scientific evidence. The latest standards and guidelines produced, endorse everyday clinical practice through evidence based dentistry (REF). All dental professionals as part of continued professional development are expected to keep to date on relevant guidelines and knowledge related to their practice (REF). This is supported by the General Dental Council who state all clinicians must maintain their professional knowledge and competence throughout their working career (REF).
Did you know that the dental assisting profession has been projected to grow 18 percent during the years of 2014 through 2024, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations? And from there who knows, the sky's the limit. But what exactly does a dental assistant do?
The job of the hygienist is to educate patients on a care plan and to center treatment plans around the patient’s needs. During the flexible hours of the hygienist, he or she is licensed to perform many tasks including removal of calculus or plaque, stains from the teeth, or taking x-rays (Reese, 2003). The dental hygienist will assess the patient’s oral tissues and teeth to determine if the patient has a presence or absence of disease (“Dental Hygienist”, 2012). The hygienist will then conclude about their findings and counsel the client on how to improve their oral hygiene, brushing, or flossing (Reese, 2003). To become a dental hygienist, one must take psychology, chemistry, biology, math, and a speech class in order to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school (“Dental Hygienist”, 2005). A student who wants to become a dental hygienist must pass a written and clinical examination after college education is completed (“Dental Hygienist”, 2005). A dental hygienist may advance to teaching students dental education programs (“Dental Hygienist”,
The average pay is around $72,000 a year. “I usually work around 34 hours a week” (Lewellen). Most hygienists work four hours a week. The pay may increase depending on where you work and also how long you’ve worked there. Education for dental hygiene is semi-difficult but most people can accomplish it. “Dental hygienists need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Programs typically take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state” (College). Depending on where you live and where you go to college will determine what requirements and skills will be needed.
Those looking to join the dental field assume that their only option as a dental hygienist is to apply at a clinic. Although, there is a vast amount of different opportunities available for dental hygienist outside on the dental chair. According to the ADHA, there are over three hundred dental hygiene programs in the U.S. alone. Most hygienists have at least an associate degree, but some get a bachelors and even master's degrees to further their careers. Dental hygienist emphasizes research, but also require coursework. Common graduate courses in dental hygiene include health care management, lab instruction, and clinical instruction.
Dental Hygienists do a great deal more than what is recognized. They are a part of the preventive oral health profession, that provides educational, clinical,
Healthcare is a necessity to sustain society. Dentistry is an area of healthcare that I feel extremely passionate about because access to proper dental care is limited, especially in the underserved communities. As an African American, I want to become a dentist and healthcare provider in the hopes of helping patients and adding to the diversification of the field. With a growing minority population in the United States, it has become apparent that there is a shortage of black dentists. This is problematic because underrepresented minorities are in great need of access to culturally connected dentists who understand their clinical needs as much as their lives and their challenges. I believe that when the profession includes a range of ethnicities
When most people think of dental hygienists, the first and only thing they think about it cleaning and whitening teeth. However, that is mainly what dental hygienists do, but they also learn to do a lot more than that. According the occupational outlook handbook, hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care. They also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health. As explained on American Dental Association, the dental hygienist...
I promptly educated myself on dental hygiene and I feel there are a lot of advantages becoming a hygienist. One of the best features about a dental hygiene career is, you only need an associate's degree. That’s two years of prerequisites and two years in the program if you get selected. There is a process you have to exceed to get into the program. The process is based on GPA, interviews
4. Now let’s talk education requirements. To become a dental hygienist I will have to achieve an associate’s degree in dental hygiene,