Your online resource for Dental Hygienist Schools and Career Information. The dental hygienist is the one who takes care of cleaning teeth, providing oral health care information and tips, and educating patients on how to care for their teeth and mouths in any different situation. Dental hygienist job roles will vary, but can include dental history collection, teeth exams, removing stains and plaque as well as calculus, applying sealant and fluoride, taking x-rays, teaching patients about oral hygiene and making molds of teeth for evaluations. All of these duties will be performed based on the education that is obtained in dental hygienist schools. Some states have increased the roles of this position, adding more work for them and less work for dentists. This is a two-year degree program that can be completed online or in a traditional classroom, although there are required hours of hands-on learning or job training that are required, as well. Dental hygienists can find careers in dental offices, hospitals, public health clinics, dental education programs and dental schools. In the future, the growth for the career shows promise, offering potential jobs to anyone who gets their degree.
F.Y.I
Deciding on a career in healthcare or medicine can be a challenge since there are so many options from which you can choose. Dental school training might be an opportunity for you, especially if you enjoyed and did well in your high-school chemistry, biology, and health classes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that in the 2004 to 2014 period, this job field will grow by 9 to 17 percent. Additionally, in May 2004 dentists earned an attractive median annual salary of $129,920.
Dentists prevent, diagnose, and treat problems such as:
• Tooth decay
• Cavities
• Fractured teeth
They're also known for performing corrective surgery and providing instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, and the use of fluorides.
Schools vs Training
Dental schools require that you have at least 2 years of college-level predental education, regardless of the major chosen. But, it's safe to say, that most dental students have a bachelor's degree before attending dental school.
Dental training lasts 4 years and coursework typically includes:
• Anatomy
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
During your last 2 years of dental training, you'll receive hands-on training treating patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Upon graduating, you'll receive a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DD) or an equivalent degree, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
In addition to a degree and dental training from an accredited school, to be a successful dentist you'll need to have:
• Good visual memory
• Excellent judgment
• Exceptional manual dexterity
• Scientific ability
If you're still in high-school or college, it's wise to take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, health, and mathematics. This will help prepare you for dental training at a dental school, which will open many windows of opportunity in this satisfying and rewarding dental career.
Sources: bls.gov
