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Dental Hygienist |
Career OverviewDental hygiene is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States and the job prospects are expected to be extremely good for the next decade at least.
Dental hygienists are licensed by the state and are important members of the dental health care team. Their work dramatically enhances the quality of dental care received by patients and they dramatically improve both the technical and personal elements of patient care.
The most prominent role of the dental hygienist is to clean teeth. They usually remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, using techniques that may include scraping and gumline curettage. They also apply fluorides and sealers to help prevent or slow down the development of cavities and the buildup of plaque.
These tasks are known as oral prophylaxis and they take up most of the dental hygienists time. However, dental hygienists are also trained and responsible for teaching patients about good oral hygiene; they may demonstrate the proper way to brush and floss teeth for their patients.
To assist dentists, dental hygienists may also note and report any abnormalities or problems with the teeth and gums they clean. They may also help with patient X-rays, depending on the availability of dental assistants or dental nurses, who may also have experience in performing such routine tasks.
Dental hygienists may have considerable professional autonomy within their professional field. Some states allow dental hygienists to perform preliminary examinations of patients to identify missing teeth, cavitities, and any abnormal growths.
Dental hygienists may remove calculus stains and plaque, perform root planning, administer anesthetics, place filling materials, temporary fillings, an periodontal dressings.
They may also remove sutures and polish mental restorations. Although they are not qualified to diagnose diseases, dental hygienists may prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for dentists to interpret. When they perform these and other tasks, most hygienists work directly with the dentist, chairside as it is called.
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Career RequirementsThe most desirable qualities of dental hygienists include manual dexterity, attention to detail, and good communication skills.
Dental hygienists must be licensed by the state in which they practice and, to qualify to take the licensing exam, candidates must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene course. They must pass a written and a clinical examination to obtain the required state licensure to practice dental hygiene.
The American Dental Association’s Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations organizes and issues the examination for dental hygienists across the country whilst state or regional testing agencies are responsible for clinical examinations and determining what aspects of clinical technique should be tested.
Most dental hygiene programs, which last a minimum of two years, lead to an Associate degree or certificate. The minimum required education to practice in a private dental office is typically an Associate’s degree. To undertake research, teach, or practice dental hygiene in school health programs, the minimum requirement is generally a bachelor’s degree; in some cases, a master’s degree.
Most dental hygiene programs require candidates to have high school diplomas and competitive SAT scores. Course content generally includes the study of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, histology, periodontology, radiography, nutrition, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, pathology, and behavioral sciences. Ability and interest in science and mathematics is extremely desirable amongst dental hygienists.
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Job OutlookIn 2004, dental hygienists held about 158,000 jobs in the United States, but because of multiple jobholding – common in this field – most estimates surmise that the number of jobs far exceeds the number of hygienists. At present, over half of all dental hygienists work part-time, less than 35 hours a week on average. Most work in dental offices but a very small number are employed by human resource staffing centers and in the offices of medical physicians.
The job outlook for dental hygienists is and is expected to remain very positive, with job growth expected at well above the average rate. The population growth and the improvement in dental care and general health care means that more people require care, and more extensive care at that, for their natural teeth.
Whilst dentists are also keen to designate more routine care to qualified assistants, dental hygienists are becoming increasingly sought after, both as practitioners of dental hygiene, but also as general assistants for dentists.
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Career TrackIn most cases, a career in dental hygiene affords very flexible schedules. Most dental offices do not employ dental hygienists full-time, but rather hire them to work for only two or three full days per week. Whilst there may be some weekend and evening scheduling, dental hygienists can often secure employment at two or three dental offices during a week.
State and local government agencies that employ dental hygienists, and, of course, staffing companies that may be responsible for outsourcing these professionals, do not tend to operate in the same way, but do tend to facilitate better warranted graduation to supervisory positions.
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CompensationThe average hourly rate of pay for dental hygienists is approximately $30.00, although hour pay ranges from about $20.00 to $40.00 depending on experience, geographic location, and employment setting. Some dental hygienists are paid daily or salary rates as standard although they may also receive commission-based earnings from their employers.
As dental hygienists are highly desirable employees, they are, and should expect, to receive competitive benefits in addition to their standard monetary compensation.
Most dental hygienists, according to the American Dental Association, receive dental coverage and medial coverage as part of their payment package. Almost all dental hygienists who are employed full-time receive paid vacations as well. Those who work for school system, public health agencies, government, or state agencies also receive competitive benefits.
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