A Brief Guide to the Career of a Dental Hygienist

Why not consider becoming a dental hygienist, it is a high paying job with lots of demand. It takes up to four years of training to become a hygienist, however the average entry level wage for such a professional is around $30 per hour. If you choose to pursue continuing education or have more experience as a hygienist, your pay could be higher than this.

Dental hygienists work extensively with patients and dentists. Their various tasks include taking impressions of teeth for orthodontic devices, help fill cavities, scrape tartar and plaque, apply fluoride, clean teeth, assist in extractions and much more. They may also monitor patients' vital signs during surgical procedures. There is a high level of responsibility when it comes to being a hygienist but it is all worth it once you are working in the field.

If you find staying at school for up to four years too much, why not consider a career assisting dental professionals. Also called a dental assistant, this type of dental professional does many of the same tasks as a hygienist. As a dental assistant, you will help gather patient data, prepare rooms and equipment, and interact with the patients the office sees on a daily basis. The average dental assistant goes to school for about two years, but sometimes it can be more or less depending on the school you choose.

Dental assistants come With many and different qualifications. For example, there is the general dental assistant who performs a variety of different tasks. The Certified Dental Assistant is someone who has taken and passed the national exam given by the DANB or Dental Assisting National Board. This is also the board that certifies dental assistants for jobs in special fields like orthopedics or pediatrics to name just two.

You will probably find that once you've worked as a dental assistant, you may want to take the next step to becoming a dental hygienist. Your employer might provide tuition reimbursement, which helps you pay for your education in addition to loans and grants. Many hygienist programs are held in the evenings, when working adults are able to attend. It may be a challenge to juggle home, work and school – but after all is said and done you will be proud of yourself and enjoying a larger salary as a hygienist.






 

Dental Assistant News:

 

Clean teeth, great smile
February brings Valentine's Day, Presidents Day and something else - National Children's Dental Health Month...


Kids learn about proper dental care - Hastings Tribune

Hastings Tribune
Kids learn about proper dental care
Hastings Tribune
It wasn't a hard decision EUR at least not for the 21 young children who learned about proper dental care Friday morning from dental assistant Shauneen Steppuhn and dental hygienist Jean Menke. During the half-hour presentation at Pooh Corner Day Care .

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A New Reason to Be Afraid of Going to the Dentist - The Stir

The Stir
A New Reason to Be Afraid of Going to the Dentist
The Stir
. to fear: cavities, fillings, drills, root canals, bad-tasting pastes, those things you have to bite down on for X-rays (really hate those), even the look of disapproval on the dental assistant's face when you admit you may not floss every day.

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Dental Assistant to host continuing education seminar - Tech Times

Dental Assistant to host continuing education seminar
Tech Times
The Dental Assistant Program will be hosting an all-day, continuing education seminar, Friday, March 23, at the John B. Connally Technology Center. Area and statewide dental assistants, hygienists and dentists will receive up to 6 continuing education .

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A.T. Still University names first dean of dental school
Dr. Christopher Halliday will leave post with U.S. Surgeon General for job in Kirksville...


News from DANB's and the DALE Foundation's Boards - Dentistry IQ

News from DANB's and the DALE Foundation's Boards
Dentistry IQ
The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) and the DALE Foundation held Board meetings in February, and as always, many exciting initiatives were discussed. One of the highlights from DANB's Board of Directors meeting was to welcome one new .

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70% TStorms
A major pledge to the dental program at UAMS in Little Rock is giving the school something to smile about...


CAVIT board to vote on IGAs
COOLIDGE EUR The Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology Governing Board is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the CAVIT campus, 1789 W. Coolidge Ave., to vote on intergovernmental agreements with its satellite districts: Casa Grande Union High School District, Coolidge Unified School District, Florence Unified School District, Maricopa Unified School District and Santa Cruz Valley ...


Kaplan College reimburses students after probe of dental program
School's Charlotte campus surrenders license for dental program after students claim they were misled about credentials...


Preventing urban decay - Phoenix Business Journal

Preventing urban decay
Phoenix Business Journal
Central Arizona Shelter Services has opened a dental assistant school, where students get hands-on experience in the CASS Dental Clinic for the Homeless. The Bruce T. Halle Family Foundation has agreed to pay for two students each term who come from .

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Brush up on proper hygiene - Russellville Courier

Brush up on proper hygiene
Russellville Courier
EURWe passed out brochures, tooth brushes and tooth paste,EUR said Terri Howell, certified dental assistant. EURWe were able to answer questions and encourage parents to take their children to the dentist.EUR Johnston and Richardson cater to children, .

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Brightening Smiles - Emporia Gazette

Brightening Smiles
Emporia Gazette
By Bobbi Mlynar Brighter smiles and bags stocked with items to promote children's dental health will be offered for free on Saturday by students at the Flint Hills Technical College's Dental Assisting Department. The event is timed to coincide with .

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Dean announced for Kirksville dental school
Dr. Halliday will be the inaugural dean of the new dental school on the Kirksville campus...



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