The career I have chosen for my future is to become a registered dental hygienist. It wasn’t until I actually learned what dental hygienists do that influenced my interest from medical to dentistry. The first honest reason I was gravitated to dental hygiene was because of the salary. I didn’t really know what Dental Hygienist actually did until I did some research. 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 …show more content…
I plan on applying to the dental program in 2019. I really appreciate the degree plan being that it does not require a great deal of math. My intention is to move to Arizona or Colorado and practice Dental hygiene in rural and disadvantaged communities due to them having a higher rate of periodontal diseases as a result of the lack of dentist and hygienists. As a future dental hygienist, I want to be able to help educate people about dental hygiene, prevent cancers and help rural communities overcome oral diseases and cancers. Dental Hygienist usually work in dentist office's, some of the responsibilities of a dental hygienist are removing tarter, stains and plaque from teeth, they take dental x-rays and access patient oral health and report findings to the dentist. RDH usually work part time, at multiple dentist offices, even though you work part-time, RDH salaries range from $50,000 to $70,000 yearly or $35 an hour. Dental hygiene is one of the highest paid jobs in America that doesn't require a bachelor's degree. The job growth outlook for dental hygiene is 19% according to U.S. Bureau, which is much faster than average so I feel I will have job security with this
The history of a Dental Hygienist is very riveting. This profession was first founded in 1913 by Dr. Fones when he created the first Dental Hygiene education program in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1906 Fones trained Irene Newman the basics, and she was then the first Dental Hygienist in the world. Later, the founding of the first Dental Hygienist training program, many more were founded. People that decide to become a Dental Hygienist for many reasons, and one is because it is listed to be the 5th out of the “100 best jobs” in 2015. Other reasons are because the “U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics” projects that the employment will grow to 33.3%
According to the book, “Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist”, a dental hygienist is a dental health specialist whose primary concern is the maintenance of oral health and the prevention of oral disease. A career as a dental hygienist provides a wide range of challenges where in the dentist office, the dental hygienist and dentist work together to meet the oral health needs of their patients. There are many things that dental hygienists do that you may not realize when you think you are just going in to get your teeth cleaned.
The duties of a dental assistant are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office. The dental assistant performs many tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. Obviously, they assist the dentist during
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.
My college plans include attending a two-year college and then pursing a degree in dental hygiene. I believe that I will have a great opportunity to give back to my community with my chosen career. As a dental hygienist, there would be many ways to help young and old alike. The time that I would volunteer would enable me to become more involved in the life of our community.
There are specific courses you have to take and then finally try to get into the Dental Hygiene program and from there on out you talk to professors and get help. You have to try and stay on the right page and you have to believe in yourself. It’ll get hard for you and you’re going to want to give up times but you always have to think positive and think about the good outcome that’s going to come out of everything. My biggest motivation is the smile on my parents face when I walk down that aisle on graduation and when I become a Dental Hygienists. I know I can do it and I believe in myself. I will not give up on my dream.
"Dental Hygienist Jobs Offer High Rates of Satisfaction." Health Jobs Nationwide Blog. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
I was able to experience some pretty amazing things that caught my attention before knowing I wanted to become a dental assistant. I never truly understood what all is involved in the dental world until I found myself in it and learned the importance of it! It takes great patience and understanding! But at what point did I really realize I wanted to do it? What got me hooked?
To become a dental hygienist, one must attend a college or university that has a dental hygiene program. “Your coursework will include classes such as the
The education requirements vary depending where you are, but typically it vary from a high school diploma to the completion of a postsecondary training program. There are no formal education requirements for entering this career and some high school students have even went from their diploma straight to on-the-job training. Although, postsecondary dental assisting programs offer more comprehensive career training. Dental assisting programs are typically 1-year diploma or certificate programs that tend to focus more on technical training through classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction. Some community colleges also offer 2-year associate's degree programs which combine general education, technical training, and more extensive clinical practicums. Licensure and/or certification might be required by some states. Some states allow dental assistants to perform all duties assigned by a dentist but in other states they must obtain licensure or registration to perform certain duties. Obtaining the licensure vary in states as well. Some may include completing an accredited postsecondary program or may have to pass a written or practical exam, which could be required. Most dental assistants maintain licensure by earning continuing education at state-specified intervals. To get the certification, The Dental Assisting National Board offers the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA®) certification which was
For me, a graduate degree is not simply a means to an end. I wish to develop program goals for a dental hygiene program in my areas of research interests, and utilize my skills as an oral health care educator to help build a team of dental hygiene professionals who will assume the responsibility of health care promotion with greater understanding of the increasing awareness among the community about oral health care benefits, and risk factors. In order to make the best of my time in graduate school, I seek a program with the best faculty, and resources that will help me achieve my goals. I hope that I am offered an opportunity to not simply study at UCSF, but also collaborate my research interests with your faculty.
Many people ask me why I still continue to pursue dentistry even though I have been rejected so many times. I sometimes wonder this same question myself. Maybe it's insanity, maybe it's pride, or maybe it's perseverance. It may, in fact, be a combination of all three, but for me, I believe I am pursuing my passion something I am called to do. It is one thing to pursue something you want to do, but it is another thing to pursue something you are called to do. I realized at a young age that there was more to life than just doing for self, life is about helping those around you. I have always had a passion for helping people and I knew that helping people was the calling placed on my life. But, growing up, I wasn't sure how I was going to pursue or use this passion. When I was in high school I was involved in a weightlifting accident that almost resulted in the amputation of all my fingers on my left hand, fortunately, I had great doctors that were able to save my fingers and make them fully functional. This accident could have drastically changed my life, but it didn't, and I made a vow that whatever I did in life I would make sure it involved the use of my hands.
1)Why do you want to be a Dental Assistant? I love people and that is why I want to become a Dental assistant. Being a huge people person and I'm always willing to learn, adapting is essential to this line of work and that is why I will be a perfect fit for the dental assistant program. Getting to know the patients and spending time with them is one of the reasons I am really looking forward to my future as a DA. I am an empathetic person and easily relate to others. This will really help me to be able to provide my patients with the best possible care. Originally I had planned on applying to Manhattan Area Technical College for their Dental Hygienist program. They require that all applicants have a minimum of forty hours experience shadowing
The profession is dramatically expanding in science and technology to lead a better level of artistry and standard-based practice. Although, it is not in high demand, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, it should only increase by 26,000 thousand jobs from 2016 to 2026 which is about 17 percent. As long as oral health is getting linked to overall health, research will continue and service will be provided to the population as it ages. Dentist are specialized to "diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth" (Bureau of Labor and Statistics). Their duties effects how their work environment is shaped too. Most dentists usually "work alone or with a small staff. (…), some work for more established dentists" (Bureau of Labor and Statistics). This is very common in both private and public practices throughout the nation. The average salary for a general dentist is 158, 310 dollars a year, which is about 78 dollars an hour if they worked full time (Bureau of Labor and Statistics). Majority of the time dentist won't work full time if they are a public practice because they usually are partnering with another dentist. This field of work requires an abundance of education, skill, patience and practice which means class sizes in dental programs need to be small enough for teachers to successfully teach every student,
Every year there is a new system, machine, or dental material that you could use. Dentistry gives you the chance to learn and expand the services you can offer in your practice. You truly become a lifelong learner. This is something that is rather important to me. I remember going to my dental externship and seeing the dentists Cerec, a crown milling unit. I was fascinated by the way that it could take a block and mill it into a crown just from a few scans the dentist took. That cut out lab fees and allowed for the dentist to produce same day crowns. I remember thinking I was made for this industry. I used to get on the dentist’s nerves because, I was always asking questions. My head would always be in his way during procedures because I was so curious about what was going on. He told me dental assistants like me need to go to dental school. Nothing remains the same in this industry. There is always a new, better, and easier way to do