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About Dental Hygienist
Posted by | Posted in Dental Health | Posted on 28-06-2010
If you are wondering what is it exactly that a dental hygienist takes care of and why is he different from a regular dentist then this article can shed some light on what they do and what education they receive and also what you should look for in a dental hygienist.
What does a Dental Hygienist do?
As I have said above a trained and licensed hygienist can be found in most dental offices and the services they offer include teeth cleaning, exams, other oral hygiene services and also educating the patient in the best ways to practice good oral hygiene. Some hygienists also put their advanced training to use by assisting the dentist when testing and diagnosing the patients.
Time:
The amount of time that a hygienist takes to complete his training varies. The dental hygienist must be correctly trained and should have completed an accredited dental hygiene programme. The minimum requirement is to attend a two year dental hygiene programme; this also depends upon the programme offered by the universities in your state.
Why should you choose this as a profession?
One of the main reasons is that it is very much in demand all over the country and having a job security in a field that is stable is a desirable option for all. Another benefit of this profession is that this job offers a lot of flexibility and most dental hygienist get benefits like sick leave, paid vacation and even medical insurance.
Is this Profession Significant?
Yes, it definitely is all over the world people require the services of a dental hygienist. They offer specialised services to the patient that allows the dentist to concentrate on more pressing procedures. Dental hygienist not only assists the dentist but also educates the patient about good oral hygiene practices and even good nutritional practices. Together the dentist and the hygienist form a dedicated team that works toward the better oral health of their patients.
If you are looking for a quality dentist in Adelaide who has a great team including a dental hygienist then please contact Dr. Michael Adams at www.adamsdental.com.au
Watch the video related to dental hygienist
In the BET Greenroom Redman opens up about his hopes of becoming a Dental Hygienist in the hood. This is bonus footage from “The Next 48 Hours With Redman & Method Man”, a behind the scenes web series shot during “Blackout 2″ album release week. An original production by www.AllHipHop.com & www.JumpOff.TV.
Help answer the question about dental hygienist
Is being a dental hygienist a good career to go into?I am a senior at school, alot of people are becoming nurses and that was something i wanted to do. I also consider being a dental hygienist and going back to school in the future to be a nurse or dental assisting. I would like to know if a dental hygienist is a good career to go into.
Well every job has it's downsides, but dental hygiene is a great career. Bls.gov says that the employment growth is projected to be 30%, much faster than average. It is in demand and offers great pay, especially for an associate's degree. And yes they do get good benefits, just like any job, you have to search around and interview to find a job that offers benefits that are valuable to you. Here's a good link to lots of useful info on dental hygienists: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm
You first have to go at least 2 years to a community college to obtain your associates degree in hygiene. You can then join the military. But you cannot be trained in the military to become a hygienist. Good luck.
haha cool. my boyfriends mom is a dental hygienist
Ha! Dental Hygienists dont look for cavities! Worst yet, not one mention of periodontal disease,gum health, or CALCULUS (not “plaque”)removal…um, scalers?! “Mr. Thirsty” and , I dont want to work that many hours. Lord you make us look bad. The field of DH is long, strenuous, demanding hours. Any lovelies out there wanting to have the letters RDH attached to your name, please DONT take this vid seriously!! Love my job..but its a bitch sometimes..and for GODS SAKE we do not diagnose disease!
Most large universities (example – University of Minnesota, Creighton in Nebraska) have dental programs. You can go there and get your entire degree to become a Dentist. You can go to some universities to become a dental hygienist as well. You usually end up with your BS as well as your hygiene degree when you go that route. You can also go to some technical colleges to become a dental hygienist or a dental assistant. Here is a list of Dental schools for you. Good luck!
http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_ddsdmd_us.asp
According to the US Dept of Labor:
Key points:
*Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree; others offer a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree.
*Dental hygienists rank among the fastest growing occupations.
*Job prospects are expected to remain excellent.
*More than half work part time, and flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job.
Education:
In 2004, the Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited 266 programs in dental hygiene. Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree, although some also offer a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. **A minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office.** A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Licensing:
Dental hygienists must be licensed by the State in which they practice. To qualify for licensure in nearly all States, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical examination. The American Dental Association’s Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations administers the written examination, which is accepted by all States and the District of Columbia. State or regional testing agencies administer the clinical examination. In addition, most States require an examination on the legal aspects of dental hygiene practice. Alabama allows candidates to take its examinations if they have been trained through a State-regulated on-the-job program in a dentist’s office.
To get into a college program:
A high school diploma and college entrance test scores are usually required for admission to a dental hygiene program. Also, some dental hygiene programs prefer applicants who have completed at least 1 year of college. Requirements vary from one school to another.
Subjects you'll study:
Schools offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, radiography, histology (the study of tissue structure), periodontology (the study of gum diseases), pathology, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences.
Skills needed:
Dental hygienists should work well with others and must have good manual dexterity, because they use dental instruments within a patient’s mouth, with little room for error. High school students interested in becoming a dental hygienist should take courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
Wages:
Median hourly earnings of dental hygienists were $28.05 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $22.72 and $33.82 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18.05, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $40.70 an hour.
Earnings vary by geographic location, employment setting, and years of experience. Dental hygienists may be paid on an hourly, daily, salary, or commission basis.
Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), almost all full-time dental hygienists employed by private practitioners received paid vacation. The ADA also found that 9 out of 10 full-time and part-time dental hygienists received dental coverage. Dental hygienists who work for school systems, public health agencies, the Federal Government, or State agencies usually have substantial benefits.
Working Environment:
Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. Full-time, part-time, evening, and weekend schedules are widely available. Dentists frequently hire hygienists to work only 2 or 3 days a week, so hygienists may hold jobs in more than one dental office.
Dental hygienists work in clean, well-lighted offices. Important health safeguards include strict adherence to proper radiological procedures, and the use of appropriate protective devices when administering anesthetic gas. Dental hygienists also wear safety glasses, surgical masks, and gloves to protect themselves and patients from infectious diseases.
What you'll do:
Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. Hygienists examine patients’ teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; perform root planing as a periodontal therapy; take and develop dental x rays; and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some States, hygienists administer anesthetics; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations. Although hygienists may not diagnose diseases, they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists sometimes work chairside with the dentist during treatment.
Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health or inform patients how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their teeth.
Dental hygienists use hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonics to clean and polish teeth, x-ray machines to take dental pictures, syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics, and models of teeth to explain oral hygiene.
Good luck!
You do a course at univeristy to be a dental hygenist, but I'm not exacty sure what subjects and grades you need, sorry.
To be honest, if you want to be a dentist it really isn't worth your time. The course takes a few years and the pay isn't great. It is also very repetitive (I did my work experience at a dentists). If you want to be a dentist you weill need to take chem, another science and another 'hardcore' subject at A level. You'll need AAA grades or possibly AAB. You'll also need work experience and addition qualifications like D of E, First aid courses, volunteer work, extra curricular activities to improve your personal statement since dentistry is very competitive, but very well paid. Its also a stable job for the future.
Email me if you need anything else
You would be majoring in Dental Hygiene
The program I went through in KY was VERY competitive. The course work can be tricky but with good study habits it shouldn't be too difficult. If you've completed the assisting program you may actually have an advantage. Here in KY , slaries range from $18 to $30 + per hour depending on experience.
after highschool, go to a community college that offers a dental hygienist program. you need to take the pre reqs before entering into the program. the program is 2 years after your pre reqs. the cost ranges from 10-15 thousand, but financial aid is also available. if you want to further your career, you can also get a bachelors degree and a masters degree from usc, but you dont have to worry about that right now. hope this helps!
Ok im currently in college to become a dental hygienist. Im going to a 2 year college and getting all my pre recs done first
1. Math groups
2. Science groups
3. A&P 1 and 2
4. English courses
Then im transferring all my health credits to the school that offers the program.
Its a very intensive coarse..and its not easy but in the long run its good money. But if there is no school close by to you that offers the program
Go to a community college and get all your required classes done first. I do know you will need a High school Algebra, High school Chemistry, and High School biology. I hope this helps you
-GOOD LUCK I AM A DENTAL ASSISTANT NOW AND I LOVE IT I CANT WAIT TO FINISH COLLEGE-