Career as a Dental Hygienist

MANY OF US REMEMBER OUR DENTAL hygienists’ sage advice to brush after every meal and get regular checkups. If we followed their advice, we likely would have a beautiful smile today.

The field of dental hygiene is up close and personal. Hands-on patient care, patient supervision, and patient education are its hallmarks. Overall, the dental hygiene profession has progressed considerably over the years due to new hygiene techniques and technology. Today, dental hygiene is an accredited and licensed specialty.

Dental hygienists perform a wide range of important functions within the dental office. These duties present a broad expanse of challenges as the dentist and dental hygienist work together to care for patients’ oral health needs. From screening procedures to cleaning calculus and plaque from teeth surfaces to patient counseling, the dental hygienist helps provide comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages.

Although going to the dentist is not usually anyone’s favorite activity, being a dental hygienist offers the personal satisfaction of working with people to improve their health, and the prestige of working in a highly skilled discipline. Modern advances in dentistry have also resulted in advances in dental hygiene care. For example, the dental hygienist plays a crucial role in helping patients with gingivitis keep their teeth by providing routine cleanings up to four times a year, conducting routine examinations to inform the dentist of potential problems, and further educating patients about the extra care they need to provide their teeth and gums.

Dental hygienists also have opportunities to broaden their horizons into education, research, office management, business, administration, and even sales. The future looks bright for dental hygienists and the field has been rated as one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. In addition, dental hygienists earn a good living and typically receive a wide range of benefits.

This new Careers Ebook contains a wealth of unbiased information about an occupational field, based on the latest national surveys. Careers Ebooks cover attractive and unattractive sides, opportunities, education necessary, personal qualifications required, earnings, descriptions of different job specialties, first person accounts by those in the field, and how to get started; including practical advice on what to do now. There are live links to schools and colleges, associations, periodicals and other sources of reliable information.