If you’re interested in getting into dental health and oral hygiene, you might want to consider a dental hygiene career. Since its rise, there are now a lot of dental hygienist open positions today that are waiting to be filled. However, like any profession, you’ll need to meet specific requirements and qualifications before entering this rewarding and fulfilling career.
The path to becoming a dental hygienist can be long and exhausting, which is why it’s essential to know the basics of this profession before you commit yourself to it. To prepare yourself for a career in this field, you’ll need to understand why this job is on the rise today and what programs you need to take to meet and qualify to become a dental hygienist.
If this sounds like an attractive career for you, then here’s everything you need to know.
Dental Hygienist Career Guide
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
A dental hygienist is responsible for evaluating the patient’s overall oral health and making sure that they follow through with their daily oral hygiene routine. They also act as consultants when their patients want to know how to take care of their oral health properly. Aside from conducting various cleanings and inspections, here are the other responsibilities of dental hygienists:
- Operate dental tools and devices
- Perform dental X-rays
- Administer sedatives to patients
- Apply medication to a patient’s teeth
- Keep track of the patient’s treatment plans
- Assist dentists regarding dental findings on their patients
Why Become a Dental Hygienist?
There are plenty of reasons why you should become a dental hygienist. Whether you genuinely want to help patients achieve their oral health goals or if you’re looking for a job that provides a stable income, getting into this profession will give you a bright future. There’s also a lot of room to grow in this field, as dental science is constantly evolving and expanding each year.
Qualities of a Good Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists should always be results-oriented, accurate, and patient with their practice. As their primary role in dentistry is providing diagnostics and giving advice, they must have strong analytic skills when giving advice and interpreting results.
What to Expect in a Dental Hygiene Program
To become a dental hygienist, you’ll need to attend the various programs that your school of choice offers. The main types of programs you’ll need to finish are dental science, general education, dental hygiene science, and, finally, biomedical science. In addition to finishing these programs and getting a degree, you’ll also need to pass the licensure exam to practice dentistry.
Finding a Job as a Dental Hygienist
After completing all your educational requirements and passing your licensure exam, securing a job in this field is relatively easy since there are a lot of job vacancies for this profession.
To increase your chances of getting employed, you’ll need relevant work experience, including your on-the-job training program and clinical experience. You can also join health care recruitment teams to increase your employment opportunities.
Looking for Open Positions for Dental Hygienists?
If you’re looking for a stable job in the medical field, you’ll need a medical recruiter. Here at Arthur Marshall, our team has the expertise to help you find the position you’re looking for. Call us today to get started on your recruitment process.
