Did you know that dental hygienists are among the better paid allied health care professionals? If you're thinking of getting into something lucrative but won't take up as much time to train for, then here are some things to learn on how to become a dental hygienist.
What Does A Dental Hygienist Do?
A regular visit to the dentist doesn't always mean something is wrong with your mouth or teeth. Preventive oral health care is just as important, and that includes having them cleaned or checked for some minor procedures. Most likely, a dental hygienist takes care of you during these visits.
Dentists usually hire one or two dental hygienists to help them out with patients. The dental hygienist salary is not just hourly (between $21 and $42), but you earn more out of commissions and bonuses. And when it's mostly routine like removing calculus, stains or plaque from teeth surfaces, applying fluorides and sealants, taking and developing x-rays or making molds of teeth for diagnosis, then a dentist can delegate these duties.
Sometimes, when you train how to become a dental hygienist you will learn about expanded functions that you may also be asked to perform on the job. Only some states allow these duties like placing or removing fillings, temporary, permanent or periodontal dressings, smoothen and polish metal restorations, administer anesthesia, and prepare laboratory and diagnostic results for examination by the dentist.
These may or may not constitute your responsibilities if you pursue this career, but it will certainly be to your advantage if you had these knowledge and skills when you offer your services.
Who Can Be A Dental Hygienist?
All you need is a high school diploma or the equivalent GED, plus a good grade average. It would help to have had advance courses in high school in the areas of math, chemistry, biology and English. You must be 18 years old at the time of enrollment and most dental hygienist schools require at least one year of college education.
The first thing you need to do even before you think of how to become a a dental hygienist is to decide that this is the career you want to prepare for and pursue. You may need just two years for an associate degree to qualify for work, but it would be a waste of both time and resources if you end up not liking the work involved. To help you firm up plans, try shadowing a dental hygienist for a day or two. Learn what his work entails. Watch the details and find out how it is to deal with patients. It will be a valuable experience if only to make you aware of the kind of commitment needed to be in the profession and if it doesn't interest you, there's always the possibility of becoming a dental assistant.
When you're sure of what you want to do, choose between an associate degree or bachelor degree. No, you really don't need to spend four years studying if becoming a dental hygienist is what you want to do because the majority of dental hygienists just have two years of dental hygienist training behind them.
Finally, choose an accredited school. Accreditation is important because you are guaranteed the standard quality required by the industry you will be part of.
How Rewarding Is This Career?
After school and with appropriate internship, you are now ready to be part of this growing profession. Your two or four-year training will certainly spell the difference in the kind of earnings you will make. It's not unthinkable to ear between $47,120 to $74,041 annually over time and with the right experience. You'll be interested to know that most dental hygienists work part-time, yet can earn comfortably. Remember, there are percentages based on the number of cleanings performed, or even attractive bonuses if you help the clinic hit its monthly income target.
Dentists need you to keep their business going. And with more people getting more concerned about oral health, then you can be sure dental hygienists will continue to be in demand. So if you think you'll thrive in this kind of workplace and doing this kind of thing, then you better get ready for how to become a dental hygienist.
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