Top 10 Tips On How To Become A Dental Hygienist

These professionals make a good living, can find jobs pretty much anywhere and will be able to continue schooling if they so desire. Below are the top tips for individuals who want to become dental hygienists.

10. Find Your Education Route

There are a lot of different programs all over the country specifically designed for dental hygienists. It’s important to do research in order to find which school you want to go with. This may require you to move, but that could end up being a positive change. Education is a huge part of this career, so you should go to a school that you feel will provide you with a great education.

9. Your Income

When you first become a dental hygienist you can expect to make around $24 an hour, but this varies considerably from job to job. This can increase as you spend more time on the job, so you should want to stick with this for the foreseeable future. For example, after 14 years on the job many hygienists end up making $40 or $50 per hour and have benefits as well.

8. Preparing for “Gross”

This is a job that requires you to work with mouths and teeth, so you will face a lot of “gross” things each day! It’s important to have a strong stomach and not get grossed out easily, or else every day on the job can be pretty difficult. Not only will you have to deal with the smell of rotting teeth, you’ll also have to deal with blood and other things you may not particularly enjoy. Bad breath is also a given, so that can’t be something you’re afraid of.

7. Duties are Repetitive

Although this job is varied, you will end up doing a lot of repetitive things each day. One of the things you can expect to do on a daily basis is clean teeth, as this is a huge part of the job. You should also expect to take x-rays and complete records.

6. Scheduling

Most dental hygienists enjoy a work schedule that doesn’t include weekends. In fact, most professionals work 9-5 or something close to that throughout the week. Most holidays dental offices are closed, so hygienists will have many set days off without having to ask. If you’re looking for a typical schedule that doesn’t include weekends, then this is a great choice.

5. Workplace Options

Dental hygienists can work at more than just dental offices. They can also work at community health agencies, residential assisted living facilities, dental health education schools, state health departments, rehab centers and many other places. It’s important to have an idea of where you want to work, but this may change as you grow with your career.

4. Licensing

State licensing is required in the state you live in, and this involves a clinical exam in addition to a written exam. The scores required to pass vary in each state as do the official requirements, so it’s important to check these regularly. Licenses generally have to be renewed every few years, depending on the state.

3. Degree

This career choice does require a degree after a high school diploma or GED is obtained. The most common type that people earn is the Associate of Applied Science degree, which takes two years. A bachelor’s degree may be required by some employers, which will take four years to obtain.

2. Know What You’re Getting Into

It’s important to make sure this is a career choice that you really want to get into. Set up an appointment with a local dental hygienist and ask them questions, like what their duties are during the day and what hours they work. This will give you insider information to determine if you want to go to school for this career in particular.

1. Check Compatibility

In order to be compatible with this career choice you should be interested in health, science and helping people. You should also like hands-on learning that goes at a fast pace and working with people. You want to enjoy the career that you go to school for, so having a basic interest is essential.