How to become A Dental Hygienist

• Registered Dental Hygienist

What do Dental Hygienists do?

A Dental Hygienist would typically need to:

• Work closely with the dental team to treat and help patients in preventing gum disease; provide advice on dental hygiene care and oral health education to patients of all ages
• Document areas of existing restorations and notable areas of possible decay and disease for dentist's review; take radiographs to determine the extent of any decay and disease
• Make impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs)
• Call in a dentist for immediate consultation when appropriate
• Give local anesthetic under the supervision of a dentist
• Administer prophylactic treatment by scaling and polishing teeth; apply temporary coatings and sealants to protect teeth
• Place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; administer fluoride treatment if necessary
• Encourage and demonstrate tooth brushing and flossing
• Update the medical history of the patient, highlighting significant information for the dentist's review
• Practice universal precautions and other sterilization and infection control procedures; maintain equipment
• Provide associated administrative support; maintain patient documentation, patient communication, and other records

Almost all Dental Hygienists work full time in dentists’ offices, which are clean and well lit. You may work in varied settings, such as general dental practices, hospitals, within the community, or independently.

Your dental healthcare team, which includes dentists, dental nurses, and dental therapists, takes care of patients ranging from young children to the elderly with diverse dental care needs. Dental Hygienists rarely work without the direct supervision of a dentist.

If you work for a community dental service, you will usually travel between patients and health centers. You must wear safety glasses, a face mask, and gloves to protect yourself and patients from infectious diseases. The dress code may be a uniform prescribed by the employer or professionally suitable attire.

You will usually work 37.5 hours per week. If you work in a hospital, you may have to be on call during weekends or work shifts. Work for a community dental service also requires flexibility. Dental Hygienists can join more than one private practice in a part-time capacity.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Dental Hygienists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. Specialist recruitment agencies advertise full and part-time vacancies.

Jobs are available in cities, towns, and rural areas.A dental practice may contract self-employed Dental Hygienists with significant experience. There are some opportunities for experienced Dental Hygienists to work overseas.

Dental Hygienists are generally employed by:

• General Dental Practices
• Community Dental Services
• Specialist Health Centers
• Mobile Clinics
• Nursing Homes
• Dental Hospitals
• Private Companies
• Defense Dental Services

Professional associations and organizations are crucial for Dental Hygienists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Eye strain and neck, back, arm, hand fatigue due to the repetitive nature of some of the work
• Frustration due to unrealistic professional expectations that are inconsistent with pay; dealing with patients who do not appreciate your role in protecting their health
• The sight and smell of excessively gross things
• Working against the clock because of external factors

To get a place on a course, you will usually need to be familiar with a Dental Hygienist’s role and demonstrate awareness of the profession. Try contacting your local dental surgery to see if you can shadow a Dental Hygienist to get a feel of the work. Work as a dental nurse may also be useful.

Accredited dental hygiene courses usually include a mix of academic study and clinical work to help you build up practical work experience for when you graduate and start looking for a job.

Dental Hygienists typically need a two- or three-year associate degree in dental hygiene to enter the occupation. Most schools offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction. Prerequisite classes, including pharmacology, anatomy & physiology, biology, microbiology, chemistry, medical terminology, English, math, public speaking, philosophy, and psychology, add at least a year of additional college education.

Some locations offer more options to potential Dental Hygienists. The candidates may opt for a three-year undergraduate degree in oral health science or dental hygiene.

A four-year course includes a two-year foundation course in oral health science and either a two-year undergraduate diploma in dental hygiene or a two-and-a-half-year diploma in dental hygiene and therapy. If you complete an integrated degree or diploma in dental hygiene and therapy, you can work as a Dental Hygienist and dental therapist after registration. Funding may be available in the form of bursaries, grants, or loans.

Many dental hygiene programs are attaining the status of a bachelor’s degree program because the courses are reflective of one. Students interested in research, teaching, and clinical practice in public or school health programs should opt for a master’s degree or PhD in dental hygiene.

Dental Hygienists need a license to practice, although requirements vary by location. In most cases, a degree from an accredited dental hygiene program and passing grades on written and practical examinations are required for licensure. Many jobs also require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.

Dental Hygienists also need to register with their local dental councils before they begin practicing. Check with your local authority for specific requirements. Voluntary certification from an objective and reputed organization can help you gain professional credibility, encourage renewal, and become an independent consultant.

Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics. The reassurance that members who practice outside the Code will be investigated and held accountable earns the community’s trust and respect, which are the most critical elements in securing a Dental Hygienist’s future.

With experience and a bachelor’s degree in health administration, Dental Hygienists may choose to move into managing the operation of a hospital, health department, or medical practice.

Further qualifications and training make it possible to move away from direct patient care into teaching the next generation of students of dental hygiene or dental hygiene & therapy. These instructors at 4-year colleges typically possess a doctoral degree, though community colleges may hire teachers who have a master's degree. Alternatively, you could combine both roles by working for a university dental hospital.

Some Dental Hygienists may be interested in advancing their clinical work and becoming dentists, which requires extensive training in a dental school. Interested Dental Hygienists could also go back to school to complete a 4-year degree in chemistry or engineering and become dental sales representatives for wholesale and manufacturing vendors of dental pharmaceuticals and medical apparatus.

Roles in research are also available. You could also move into a related area like orthodontic therapy, public health, or work as a health promotion specialist.

Job prospects may vary by geographic location. Entry into dental hygiene programs is often competitive, with the number of applicants to accredited programs far exceeding the number of students accepted.

Also, Dental Hygienists are less likely to leave their occupation than other professionals. Overall, however, job prospects look relatively good as the number of openings may exceed the number of graduates from dental hygiene programs.

Job opportunities may be best for Dental Hygienists who are willing to work in underserved areas and for those who are open to working less than 40 hours a week.

Although CPD is useful in various professions, it is imperative in the healthcare sector because it has important implications for public wellbeing. Ideal career progression happens when Dental Hygienists actively expand their skill-sets and meet the requirements of their respective regulatory bodies.

A Dental Hygienist must take continuing education credits to keep their license valid every licensure period. Undertaking continuing professional development (CPD) is essential in maintaining your registration with the relevant professional authority. You will have to spend at least 75 hours over five years engaged in CPD activities pertinent to your practice. Typical activities can include attending lectures and courses, attending hands-on clinical training or workshops, attending or presenting at conferences, and participating in clinical audit or peer review.

Further study at a postgraduate level in a subject related to dental hygiene, such as dental public health or dental technology, would help with career switch or career progression. Dental Hygienists keen on research can expect support and additional training from Vitae, a non-profit global leader with over 50 years’ experience in enhancing researchers’ skills. In partnership with governments, funders of research, academies, professional bodies, trusts & foundations, universities, and research institutes, Vitae offers training, resources, events, consultancy, and membership.

Dental Hygienists must be good at working with their hands in tight quarters on a small part of the body using exact tools. They must understand how to operate complex machinery, including x-ray machines, manual and powered instruments, and ultrasonic devices.

Dental Hygienists must follow specific rules and protocols to help diagnose and treat a patient. Sometimes patients are in extreme pain or mental stress, and the hygienist must be sensitive to their emotions.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs. Full-Time Employment

Being a freelance Dental Hygienist offers freedom regarding flexible schedules, working hours, and location. They have full ownership of the business and can afford selectivity in terms of the variety of projects and clients presented. While it has unlimited earning potential, freelancing comes with less stability and security, with inconsistent work and cash flow. There is more responsibility, effort, and risk involved. There are no paid holidays, and sick/maternity/paternity leaves are almost unaffordable. There is the added pressure of a self-employment tax and no eligibility for unemployment benefits.

However, a full-time Dental Hygienist has access to company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Despite that, they are susceptible to potential boredom and inability to pursue passion projects due to their lack of time or effort. With a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety, there is also a need to budget extra money for commuting and attire costs.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

You are supposed to replace your toothbrush after an episode of flu, cold, or other viral infections.

Dental Hygienists are tooth nerds who use hyGenious ways to care for the oral and overall health of their patients...despite knowing that most people hate going to them, they love that they make the world a better place with healthy smiles!

Provide the best care and advice possible for your clients, and remember that ultimately it is their decision as to what they do. It is not a reflection on you if they do not comply.