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| Dental Hygienists are In Demand |
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Tekeya writes, "There is one job that people tend to overlook, but more jobs than there are people to fill them. The job pays well, has part-time opportunities and you don't need a graduate degree (or even a bachelor's degree!) to get it. If you're interested in pursuing a career as a dental hygienist, here are some facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)."
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There is one job that people tend to overlook, but more jobs than there are people to fill them. The job pays well, has part-time opportunities and you don't need a graduate degree (or even a bachelor's degree!) to get it. If you're interested in pursuing a career as a dental hygienist, here are some facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Overview
Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to provide preventative dental care that includes cleaning teeth and teaching patients good hygiene. They also take and develop dental x-rays, apply sealants and, in some states, even place and carve fillings. They can't diagnose diseases, but dental hygienists can prepare clinical and diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret.
Training and Education
To become a licensed dental hygienist, applicants must first graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass a written and clinical test.
To work in a private dental practice, dental hygienists must have at least an associate's degree in dental hygiene. For research or public health positions, a bachelor's or master's degree is preferred. Half of dental hygiene programs require at least one year of college before admission.
However, a good start to become a dental hygienist is to study to become a dental assistant. There are seventh month programs out there at accredited colleges that can give people the start they need in the medical field.
Opportunities
Dental hygienists held about 148,000 jobs in 2002, and almost all of them were in dentists' offices. A few worked for employments services or in physicians' offices. Some hygienists also enter careers in teaching, research or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists enjoy relatively high pay and comfortable working conditions. Flexible scheduling is characteristic of this job, since dentists often hire hygienists to work just two to three times per week. Therefore, hygienists may work full-time in more than one office, part-time, evenings or weekends. In fact, more than half of all dental hygienists worked part-time.
Nine of 10 full-time and part-time hygienists receive dental coverage, and those who work for schools, public health agencies, the federal government or state agencies usually have hefty benefits packages.
However, hygienists must take strict safety precautions to guard themselves against disease and injury. They must observe proper radiological procedures when giving x-rays and wear safety glasses, surgical masks and gloves. In addition, they must use protective devices when administering anesthetic gas.
Salary
According to the BLS, median annual earnings of dental hygienists were $26.59 in 2002. Dental hygienists may be paid on an hourly, daily, salary or commission basis. Benefits vary by employer and may require full-time hours.
Let me know what you think about this week’s article. Click on the link below to go to the "BYP Forums", go to “Jobs & Career” and express yourself.
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About Tekeya
Tekeya is a freelance writer for BYP Magazine. Each week she shares her experiences pursuing different career choices. She also answers questions on how to successfully apply for and get high paying jobs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University Of Delaware.
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Posted on May 15, 2007 07:32am.
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