How To's In Becoming A Dental Hygienist

Are you considering a career in healthcare? If so, then you might want to consider the dental hygiene profession which is vital in assisting the dentist in taking care of the patients teeth. Dental hygienists provide advice on daily oral hygiene and care using stored knowledge and clinical skills. As a dental hygienist, one is expected to have a passion for helping other people overcome their pain and annoyances. Likewise, you shouldn't mind having to use your hands a lot to get tasks done. Being in this space means many opportunities for both men and women. To know more here about dental implant marketing.

In the field of dentistry, dental hygienists play a very important role in the dental office. Aside from their oral care responsibilities to patients, they also have the task of educating patients about proper dental hygiene practices. Therefore, projected job growth for dental hygienists through 2014 is faster and higher than average. And due to the increasing demand for dental care, including the employment of hygienists for dental services that used to be dentists' only job, the field is now recognized as one of the fastest growing professions in the world. Why is that? This is mainly due to the population boom and the newly discovered sense of keeping natural teeth healthy. In addition, as dentists adopt more advanced technologies in dental care, more and more dental tasks are being delegated to dental hygienists - from preventive dental care to minor oral hygiene tasks such as cleaning and teeth whitening.

Based on a report released by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in 2004, this shows that just over 250 dental hygiene programs were accredited that year alone. A high school diploma and the results of your college entrance test are usually required to be admitted to the dental hygiene program. Combine that with at least two years of college education plus hours of clinical assignments and you're well on your way to becoming a dental hygienist.

What other educational requirements would lead to a career in dental hygiene? Typically, dental hygiene programs offer students an associate degree or certification, while some courses are as high as a bachelor's or master's degree. If you envision working in a small private practice, an associate degree or certification in dental hygiene is enough to get you employment in the field. However, if you wish to engage in research, scholarship, or public or private clinical practice, it is important that you pursue a bachelor's or master's degree.

According to studies, around 160,000 positions were filled by dental hygienists in the previous year alone. Although it seems like a huge number, the need for dental hygienists still outstrips the number of qualified applicants for job openings. Most of them preferred to work part-time, ie less than 35 hours a week. Generally, they all work in a dental clinic, while only a small percentage of them work in other areas of dental care. Finally, the hourly rate for dental hygienists is around $28 depending on work experience in the dental field as well as geographic location.