Dental hygientist?!
Question: How did you go to school, do you like it, would you recommend it? any other advice would be helpful.
Answers: How did you go to school, do you like it, would you recommend it? any other advice would be helpful.
I was a dental assistant for almost 2 years before I realized I wanted to get into hygiene instead. Assisting definitely gives you more information for actual *dental* procedures, and it's a good way to tell if you'd like to spend the time to be a hygienist. I don't know about any other schools but our community college offers a hygienist program (I graduated this last year). However the business is booming and there is a waiting list, and they have a grading scale that decides whether or not you are accepted to the program. I'd suggest you go to a college that offers the program and talk to an advisor, they can give you the lowdown on what you need. Most of the basic core classes you'll need (for an associates in science) will take anywhere from a year and a half to 2 years, depending on your classload. The hygiene program itself is generally two years as well....but my personal belief is it was well worth it! I love being a dental hygienist, the patients are usually great (seeing as it's preventative dentistry ^.^), you aren't under complete/full supervision (basically breathing down your neck) at all times and I have to admit the pay is awesome too (I'm not sure about other locations but here in vegas its almost double what the assistant makes, depending on office and skills etc).
Either or go talk to a counselor about your interest in it! They can give you more information about it. Good Luck!
I'm a dental assistant student and the community college here offers hygiene. It's a 2 year program , I think most are. My advice is to make sure you go to an accredited program. With the accreditation, you will hired over someone who doesn't. I would check with the colleges around you and if they don't offer it, they can probably steer you in the right direction. I think that assisting and hygiene are both great professions. Good Luck!
Nearby college had dental hygiene program. 2 years of prerequisite classes (biology, physiology, algebra, english, etc), 2 years dental hygiene program. Some colleges offer 2 year associate program and some offer 3 year bachelors. If you are interested in a future of teaching dental hygiene or a corporate dental hygiene career you might want to find a college that offers a bachelors. I was only interested in private practice so I got an associates. No pay difference between associate and bachelors. Dental hygiene program was very difficult and stressful. Lots of work, appointments can be stressful b/c people are not dependable and do not show up and you are calling family and friends begging them to come immediately so you don't fail. Lots of stress b/c many of the things you do you cannot control very easily. It is hard to practice taking x-rays, scaling teeth, etc. You may not do great at first for this reason but will eventually learn. It is a great job b/c it has flexible hours. You can easily work 4 days a week and be considered full time and could easily work 3 days a week if have children. It is very repetitive so many people get burned out quickly from doing the same thing day in day out. Some people have to quit due to joint problems from improper positioning (crouching back and neck too much or using wrists wrong when scaling). I have friends who had to quit after 1 year but know many people who did it for 40 + years. Staying active with exercise and streching helps prevent problems, along with practicing good positioning. My school spent lots of time emphasizing positioning and I have had no problems. A rewarding career if your heart is in it. Boards are very stressful b/c you have a written board and a hands on board you have to take a patient to ( a patient with lots of buildup so you probably won't be best friends with this person). Several expenses other than just tuition and books. Get loopes. They help prevent bad positioning and make everything magnified so you see much better and miss less. Look for a school b/c there are not that many dental hygiene schools in many states. You have to go to an accredited school or you won't be able to get a license.
I am a dental hygienist. I went to school for 5 years, 2 of which were actually in hygiene school. It's a tough profession but very rewarding. As with any career, if you don't like it you won't stay with it. My advice is to take care of yourself as far as your neck, back, hands, and shoulders because that's why most hygienists have to get out of it before they want to. Good luck.