Allied Technicial Institute

A career as a dental hygienist will allow an individual to work in the medical field without the burden and fees of medical school. Dental hygienists work for a dentist and are responsible for routine cleaning appointments with patients. Other responsibilities include taking x-rays, applying dental sealants, and educating their patients about proper techniques to maintain dental health. In some instances, dental hygienists can be certified to apply anesthetics, perform routine cavity fillings, remove stitches, and can smooth down and polish existing metal fillings.

In many ways, a dental hygienist performs the same basic duties as a typical dentist. Their job consists of assessing the patient, collecting data that will lead to a dental hygiene diagnosis, planning a treatment regimen based on the patient’s needs, implementing the treatment plan, and evaluating the success of the prescribed treatment. A dental hygienist keeps record of how treatment has changed over a series of months and will make alterations to the treatment plan as needed.

Dental hygienists are essential for patient education. A dental hygienist can instruct a patient on how to choose the right toothbrush, how to reduce plaque and risk of gingivitis, how to brush effectively, and the best way for a patient to floss his or her teeth. It is often effective for a dental hygienist to have a friendly demeanor to reduce patient anxiety and to encourage the patient to talk about issues that may affect his or her dental health.

In order to pursue a career in dental hygiene, one must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program. A dental hygienist can attain a number of degrees. Associates degrees are most common;

however, one can also pursue a certificate, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree in the field. In the United States all dental hygienists must receive a license from the state after finishing at least two years of school to validly practice their work. In order to pursue an academic track in dental hygiene, one must have a high school diploma and must complete required college entrance tests, the requirements of which can vary upon institution.

A college level accreditation in dental hygiene requires a variety of courses. These courses include a range of general academic courses, which are typically a mixture of courses in science, mathematics, and the humanities. Typical fundamental courses are chemistry, college level algebra, and biology. These courses will often serve as the precursor to more advanced courses in the field focusing on anatomy, oral anatomy, x-ray science, pharmacology, clinical dental hygiene, and nutrition among others. Many dental hygiene courses will have a laboratory component, which require projects and investigations in addition to regular class hours. While individual courses tend to be very specific, the aim of these programs is to allow the skills acquired in each course to be interdependent, meaning that the program is very integrated by nature.

Associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs each require similar academic sequences; however, as the degree becomes more advanced so do the courses and the time required to study and complete them successfully. An associate’s degree usually takes two years, a bachelor’s degree takes four years, and a masters program usually lasts an additional two years after undergraduate study. An advanced degree in dental hygiene is a lot of work, but it will put and individual at the higher end of the salary scale and will ultimately be worth it.

The cost of dental hygiene school varies on the level of the degree and the type of school attended. Associate’s degree programs tend to be offered at local community colleges and can run from $10,000-$22,000 to complete the two years of study. A bachelor’s degree from a public university can cost $20,000-$27,000, and bachelor’s degrees from private colleges and universities can cost over $80,000. A masters program can cost from $20,000-$40,000. These figures, of course, do not take into consideration financial aid packages, loans, and federal funding.

In order to become licensed and practicing, dental hygienists must take preliminary tests. The American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations offers a written test that is valid for licensure in all states in the United States. The test is typically offered in testing centers that are dispersed for easy access throughout the state. In addition to this test, aspiring dental hygienists must pass an examination evaluating their knowledge of the laws and policies of practicing dentistry.

The salary of a dental hygienist varies based on education, experience, and location. The median salary of a dental hygienist in the United States as of April 2009 is approximately $65,500. The 75th percentile makes an average of $72,750, and the 25th percentile makes an average of $57,300. The median hourly wage is an estimated $31.00 per hour. The highest paid dental hygienists graduate from top programs and tend to land the higher paying jobs in urban and suburban regions.
The projected job outlook for dental hygienists is generally very positive in upcoming years, with a projected growth rate of 30% in the next six to eight years. Many dentists are retiring and new dental school graduates are replacing them. These younger dentists are projected to be more likely to hire multiple hygienists, and these hygienists will likely perform routine cleaning and be involved in educating patients on the best methods for good oral hygiene.
While the track to becoming a dental hygienist may require long hours of study, aspiring dental hygienists can look forward to a rewarding career with a relatively high paying salary and a stable job outlook.