|
|
 |
|
|
Dental Hygienist by Scott Fink
|
|
|
Dental Hygienist by SCOTT FINK
|
|
| Article Posted: 08/26/2012 |
| Article Views: 796 |
| Articles Written: 1 |
| Word Count: 875 |
| Article Votes: 0 |
|
Dental Hygienist |
|
|
|
|
|
Health,Ezine
|
|
|
First Look: Dental Hygienist Most jobs today require a college education, with the standard degree being either a bachelor's or master's degree. However, a career as a dental hygienist does not require such long schooling; in fact, hygienists can start working at most firms with an associate's degree. This usually entails two years of schooling, which is what makes it a great career for many people. What does a dental hygienist do, anyway? Most people who have gone to a dentist's office know what a dental hygienist does. At many offices, most day-to-day cleanings will be administered by the hygienist. This is not the only task dental hygienists perform, however. Dental hygienists perform a variety of other tasks, as well. These tasks can include administering x-rays. These x-rays allow the dentist to see "the big picture" when evaluating a patient. This ensures treatment is proactive rather than reactive. By identifying issues early on, the cost and extent of procedures is oftentimes minimized or eliminated. One example of where x-rays are important is for wisdom teeth. This allows the dentist to see whether teeth might be impacted, missing, or whether they are starting to surface. Many people require that their wisdom teeth be removed, so knowing early on helps them plan for the out-patient procedure. Another task dental hygienists perform is providing patients with counseling on good practices which can help maintain or improve oral health. Good nutritional practices can help avoid many common oral health problems. Hygienists usually advise against such things as excess sweet consumption, drinking soda, or failing to floss. As many people in the health profession would say, early prevention is the best treatment. Following such advise can contribute greatly to overall oral health. Oral health is important, too. New studies have linked its importance to overall health. In reality, oral health is a piece of the entire picture, and dental hygienists contribute greatly to helping maintain this health. So how do I become a Dental Hygienist? The next logical step is to explore the education process for a dental hygienist. As I said in the opening, dental hygienists are not usually required to have anything more than an associate's degree. A bachelor's degree may be helpful in some situations. Usually, however, a bachelor's or master's in dental hygiene is used to perform research at the clinical level. This research is what has led to such a great understanding of what promotes (and what hurts) oral health. Many people find this work interesting, but for now, we will focus solely on the steps necessary to become a dental hygienist at a private dentist's office. Hygienists are usually required by their college to have taken some introductory science classes in high school. Most college preparatory programs at the high school level will suffice. This includes an introduction to such topics as biology and other sciences. Be sure to check with the colleges you are interested in to make sure you are prepared. Some colleges do require that you attend college for up to a year before accepting you into the program. During this time, it would be likely that you would take a number of general education classes. Also, a student following this track will take classes in biology, chemistry, and anatomy to give the student a good baseline understanding of the necessary sciences. From there, the educational track becomes much more specialized. Students are asked to complete classes in radiography and nutrition, along with others that give them exposure to the equipment they will be using on the job. After completion of an associate's degree, students are well on their way to their career as a dental hygienist. The next necessary step is to complete any required state-wide certification for the area you would like to work in. This varies from state to state, so be sure to check with your state to see that you will be able to meet the requirements. They usually require certain tests to make sure hygienists are trained properly before entering the field. Salary and Benefits One of the most rewarding aspects of any career is the salary and benefits. There is great demand for dental hygienists right now, so the salary and benefits are very competitive. In fact, the median pay is over $60,000! This is great news for anyone considering this career, and it should pique anyone's interest who is on the fence. Some hygienists work part-time, which is nice for people trying to start a family or caring for a loved one. This flexibility is rare among high paying jobs. This should be another tremendous draw to this profession. Benefits must be evaluated when considering offers from different dentistry practices to join their team as a dental hygienist. Benefits will vary from place to place, but many offices do provide health and dental insurance. They may also provide retirement savings programs such as 401(k) contributions. These benefits help make dental hygienist careers great for family people. Conclusion In conclusion, I hope you see that dental hygienists have great careers. If you are interested in learning much more about dental hygienists, including more about their salary, training, and job outlook, check out http://dentalhygienist-salary.co. This is a great resource for anyone interested in this career.
Related Articles -
dental hygienist, dental hygienist salary, how much do dental hygienists make, dental assistant, dental assistant salary,
|
Rate This Article  |
|
|
|
|
|
Do you Agree or Disagree? Have a Comment? POST IT!
| Reader Opinions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Author Login |
|
|
 |
Advertiser Login
ADVERTISE HERE NOW!
Limited Time $60 Offer!
90 Days-1.5 Million Views
|
|
LAURA JEEVES
At LeadGenerators, we specialise in content-led Online Marketing Strategies for our clients in the t...more
|
|
|
|
|
TIM FAY
After 60-plus years of living, I am just trying to pass down some of the information that I have lea...more
|
|
|
|
|
ALEX BELSEY
I am the editor of QUAY Magazine, a B2B publication based in the South West of the UK. I am also the...more
|
|
|
|
|
GENE MYERS
Author of four books and two screenplays; frequent magazine contributor. I have four other books "in...more
|
|
|
|
|
SUSAN FRIESEN
Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, ...more
|
|
|
|
|
STEPHEN BYE
Steve Bye is currently a fiction writer, who published his first novel, ‘Looking Forward Through the...more
|
|
|
|
|
SHALINI MITTAL
A postgraduate in Fashion Technology. Shalini is a writer at heart! Writing for her is an expression...more
|
|
|
|
|
ADRIAN JOELE
I have been involved in nutrition and weight management for over 12 years and I like to share my kn...more
|
|
|
|
|
JAMES KENNY
James is a Research Enthusiast that focuses on the understanding of how things work and can be impro...more
|
|
|
|
