dental hygienist pros and cons

Some workers are asked to apply preventative materials, such as fluoride or sealants, while teaching care strategies that can improve oral health. Once you can prove that you have the education necessary to do the work as a dental hygienist, then you can work at almost any dentist office in or around your community. 6. They may not get the same status and recognition of dentists, but dental hygienists commonly spend more time with patients than dentists do, performing basic dental care. Being a dental hygienist has lots of different pros and other benefits – some of which may come as a surprise! If you are working in a full-time position, then this equates to a median salary of $75,000 per year. Another part of the job when you start being a dental hygienist is to educate people on how to take better care of their teeth. Because there is a direct link between the quality of oral care that a person receives and their cardiovascular health. That means you could be working half of the hours of others while earning a comparable wage. Although your education in this field can help you to land a job almost anywhere there is an open position, you are also creating a specific position for yourself that really offers no advancement opportunities. Almost every dentist that is working anywhere around the world will have an employment opportunity for a dental hygienist. 10. Evaluate your situation, and if it’s not working, take whatever steps are necessary to better your professional life. From flexible hours to knowing that you make a difference, a dental hygienist benefits in numerous ways from his or her work. 6. 2. Almost every dentist office will hire at least one... 3. That means your skills can be put to use in community clinics, dental offices, and even some public health agencies. Almost every dentist that is working anywhere around the world... 2. That means you are going to be doing a lot of the busy work with each patient while the dentist comes in to finish checking your work. Why is this critical? This job is one of the few that can offer these benefits while still providing you with an opportunity to change each person’s life in a positive way when you provide them with services. • The field of dental hygiene is growing in a larger scale. If you are someone who likes to have a lot of variation in your daily routine, then this is not the job that you are going to want. This type of work is not for everyone. 5. You are responsible for the direct services that can lead to an improvement of a patient’s oral health. What are the Pros and Cons of being a Dental Hygienist? Check out the pros and cons of pursuing this profession: PRO: Growing employment. There are numerous opportunities for socialization as you work to improve or maintain a person’s oral health in your chair. This job can take a toll on your physical well-being. In addition, the repetitive nature of the motions involved can lead to issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome. 8. Although the good people in this industry far outweigh the bad dentists, there can be a lack of trust when two different offices provide a radically different diagnosis and treatment estimate. If you’re unable to meet the production demands, then your employer might decide to terminate on the position because there is a recent graduate who might be willing to do that work. These integral people are in charge of everything from cleaning patients’ teeth and making nervous people feel more relaxed to taking mouth x-rays and educating patients on at-home dental hygiene. Both require specialized training beyond the basic college coursework, with a doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) Your influence can literally help someone live a longer, more fulfilling life. The nature of being a dental hygienist can be very taxing on the human body. You can earn a highly competitive salary as a dental hygienist. In addition, all states require hygienists to pass exams in order to obtain a license. A large part of a dental hygienist’s role is to educate patients in the correct methods of oral care and maintaining good oral health. It is not unusual for a recent graduate to be making a salary which is similar to someone with more than a decade of experience as a dental hygienist. 4. Let's talk about the pros and cons of working as a dental hygienist! You have no idea what that person may have encountered before they walk through that door. If you want to work as a dental hygienist, you should analyze all the pros and cons. Some communities can have more trained workers available then positions. That is why it is imperative to monitor how your community views your employer and make changes as needed to maintain your career. Check out the pros and cons of pursuing a career as a dental hygienist to see if it is the right fit for you: PRO: Growing Employment. Cons: frequent exposure to infectious aerosol/radiation, ergonomic tolls longterm, some jobs have poor benefits, some markets are oversaturated, patients will blame you for "breaking their teeth/fillings" because "the hygienist cleaned too hard," and the job is extremely tedious/repetitive. Although the employment opportunities for dental hygienists are rising, schools today are graduating a lot of people who are ready to start their career. As the 65 and older age category continues to rise, the need to provide comprehensive cleaning and maintenance services will keep expanding. This job helps you to build many community relationships. That means you can hit the wage ceiling pretty early in your career, so that is why it is not unusual for people in this profession to pursue a side hustle or hobby that can earn them some extra cash. 1. An enhanced level of job security is present because of this advantage as well, with employment opportunities continuing to grow. Dental hygienists are responsible for cleaning the teeth of patients when they visit the dentist for their regular checkup. If you are looking for a fast, fun, and easy way to break into a healthcare field for your career, then you will want to review the pros and cons of being a dental hygienist. I really want to pursue this field, but I've heard a lot of negative feed back as far as not being able to find a … You may be asked to remove the plaque and calculus that forms on the tooth surface. What about the pros and cons of … Dental hygienists provide preventative oral care in various forms. There may not be any full-time positions available in your community. If you do not have plans to move, then it is imperative to review the market conditions for this career opportunity to avoid a long spell of unemployment because there is a lack of available jobs. More than 180,000 hygienists work in dental practices and clinics in the United States, and the job market is good for new hygienists. You are going to face some challenging issues over the course of your career. Because the work you are doing as a dental hygienist is often repetitive, this position is a strong candidate for automation or artificial intelligence intervention. Because there are minimal barriers to entry when you want to work as a dental hygienist, this industry sees a lot of interest from people who are looking for employment. 3. You can find yourself working in some challenging environments. Even though it might seem easy to hunch over a patient as you work on their teeth, it requires a lot of stamina to stay in a seated position throughout most of your shift. Many dental hygienists eventually wear out because of the repetition that occurs in this industry. There may be opportunities to flex your schedule in this career. Salary. As a dental hygienist you have the ability to make a reasonable earning without having to worry about the amount of school that dentists need to take. That means you might still be able to earn a median wage above $30 per hour, but you might only be putting in 3-5 hours of work each day. You can also take advantage of the part-time nature of this work to turn your associates degree in dental hygiene into a bachelor’s degree in dentistry. You will face issues with burnout eventually as a dental hygienist. Almost every dentist office will hire at least one dental hygienist to provide help with the services that patients require. Hygienists understand how to wear the many hats of dental care and know that a smile is a strong qualification. Even if you are the poorest dental hygienist, you still can survive due to a good salary. Being a Dental Hygienist: 10 Dental Hygienist Pros and Cons. It doesn’t bother some people, but there are individuals who become nauseous when exposed to these circumstances. Workloads for dental hygienists can be extraordinarily heavy on some days. You can work almost anywhere as a dental hygienist.. When you talk to dental hygienists, one of the most common complaints that you will hear is that their work feels like it is unappreciated by their employers and their patients. You are going to be asked to maintain a rapid pace to get through as many services as possible. Although more experience can lead to a higher salary offer, that is not always the case if you choose to work in a smaller practice. Upselling is on the rise in this industry, partially due to the rising cost of tuition and debt that occurs. Applicants have to meet certain criteria to enter dental hygiene school and must at least complete an associates program. You will also encounter plenty of bad moods while they are sitting in your chair, thinking about the costs they will pay for the work you are doing. “The bureau projected a 38-percent increase in jobs for hygienists from 2010 to 2020.” This proves that dental hygiene is a good career choice. The Pros & Cons of Being a Dental Assistant May 28, 2014 Becoming A Dental Assistant 10,713 Views There are many available careers in the dental industry, but perhaps one of the most popular positions is that of a dental assistant. By maintaining high productivity levels, a higher profit margin is obtainable for the practice. Dental hygienists typically follow the same pay scale no matter where they choose to work. First the pros. The median wage for this career opportunity in the U.S. pays over $35 per hour, which equates to approximately $75,000 per year. There are a number of reasons why people hate going to the dentist, including the fear of drills or the inconvenience and pain that some procedures cause. There is very little reciprocity between states for dental hygienist certification. If you become a dental hygienist, then your certification allows you to provide services in your home state. requiring more school than a registered dental hygienist (R.D.H.). The reputation of your dentist will become a reflection of who you are to your community. The schooling requirements for dental hygienists is minimal. 3. Some regions may recognize a license that you earn elsewhere, but that outcome is not guaranteed. By Sandra Turner. A review of their medical history, cancer screening, and charting their vitals is also standard work. Many workers are putting in long hours, dealing with high levels of stress, and then face the challenges of raising a family and all of the other responsibilities that are necessary in modern life. If you are in high school and have the opportunity to dual enroll at a local junior college, then you could earn your high school diploma and this degree simultaneously so that you can get right to work. You will earn a little more or less depending on your geographic location and overall experience in this industry. 4. The job you have will never really change. Since there is not a lot of time to rest your eyes or give your brain a break during the day, the stamina requirements can be problematic for anyone if they are having an off day for some reason. Check out the pros and cons of pursuing this profession: PRO: Growing employment. If you are the type of person who likes upward mobility in your career or an opportunity to try new things regularly, then this job option might not be the best fit. If your dentist earns a reputation as being a swindler, then that is what yours will be as well. Almost all dental hygienists work in a dental office, and over half of the current positions are classified as part-time employment in the United States. In the year and a half that I worked as a temporary hygienist, I was able to see a great deal of the pros and cons associated with the position and wanted to share those with my fellow colleagues so that you could determine if temping may be a great option for you as well. Every screening, teeth cleaning service, and cavity you are asked to work on creates a source of revenue for your employer. It is rare that you will work weekends, holidays, or even nights in most situations. That means there is more competition for the open positions at dental offices since there are more people available than there are opportunities. The pros and cons in the world of assisted hygiene are expanding and changing right along with it. 8. Moving a lot means you will want to take the jurisprudence exam, and then maintain your licenses in every state where you might want to settle one day. But in other states, hygienists can only directly treat a patient if the patient is seen by a dentist every 12-18 months for an exam. 9. Some institutions can provide you with a certificate that is equal to this results that you can earn in 9 to 12 months. If you can make the investment into your education and training, then this career will pay dividends back to you until your retirement. The field of dental … While dental hygienists usually work in private dental practices, they can also work in community health centres, childcare or aged-care centres, schools and dental hospitals. Compared to other career options that are available in the healthcare industry, a dental hygienist has more opportunities to find work than other positions. Dental Plans to Help Maintain Healthy Teeth and Prevent Gum Disease. Contemplating a career in dentistry? Dentists tend to make money when they are able to pack in more patients per hour into their office. The Cons of Being a Dental Hygienist. You will get to socialize with a wide variety of individuals of all ages. • You should understand that this job is not for everyone. If you put a 100% effort into this career from the moment you graduate, you might also find yourself looking for a different job within a few years. The Pros. 9. Most dentists hire dental hygienists to help them with specific procedures, offering a competitive salary structure for their services. There are greedy dentists out there who purposely misinterpret x-ray results, lie about the presence of cavities, and may even recommend services that are not necessary. Afterward, try to weigh each pro and con and reflect on the importance of each. Because many officers are small private practices, many of them cannot afford to offer paid sick leave, retirement contributions, or health insurance unless their community requires it. This area of employment continues to grow around the world.. The average hourly wage for a dental hygienist in the United States is currently $35 per hour. Some people hate everything about the dentist office – including you. There are challenges to face in each shift, but that is a principle which holds true with most jobs. Although the working conditions in dental offices generally are good, because of the nature of the work, hygienists can be prone to postural problems and back pain. 1. Most of what dental patients pay for (or can afford) when visiting their dentist is the regular teeth cleaning, some screenings, or the occasional cavity or extraction. Most people can begin their work as a dental hygienist when they have an associates degree in dental hygiene or a similar field. If you want upward mobility with your career and an opportunity to earn more money without the requirement to pursue another advanced degree, that being a dental hygienist might not be right for you. You must stay in excellent physical shape as a dental hygienist. If you are a dental hygienist in that situation, then the reputation of that office will become part of who you are – whether you want it to be or not. Pros and Cons of Becoming a Dental Hygienist Career Dental hygienists help keep patients' teeth clean and educate individuals about the importance of oral health. 5. Many dental hygienists find that they feel under-paid and under-valued after they gain some experience in this field. It is one of the fastest growing areas of the healthcare industry in the United States right now as well. Some offices require a rapid pace where there may be a little, if any, downtime between patients. Healthcare plan United States right now as well 10 cons Ever wondered the. 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