How to Become a Dental Hygienist

Have you ever wondered how to become a dental hygienist? A career as a dental hygienist is rewarding and flexible. Most hygienists are able to set their own hours, and may work part-time, full-time and/or work for more than one dentist at a time. An associate's degree from an accredited hygiene program and a state license are all that are necessary to begin working in this fulfilling career. Further education, such as a bachelor's or master's degree, is necessary if you wish to teach or take part in research projects. The median hourly wage for dental hygienists is around $30 per hour.

A dental hygienist plays a vital role at a successful dental office, completing essential tasks such as dental hygiene instruction, the examination of the mouth, gums and teeth, and the scaling of hard and soft plaque from the teeth. Hygienists also take radiographs and chart abnormalities and decay for the dentist to further examine and treat. Skillful hands that are able to work within the confines of a small mouth are essential to a successful dental hygiene career.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics considers the dental hygiene profession to be much faster growing than the average profession, and expects to see the field increase 30% by 2016. Many hygienists work 35 hours or less per week.

Dental hygienists work on a dentist's office and perform tasks such as cleaning the teeth of patients, removing tarter, inspection the teeth and gums for disease, and teaching patients about how to take good care of their teeth. Dental hygienists may also do things such as taking x-rays and applying fluoride to the teeth. In some states, hygienists can administer anesthetic and work with filling materials and periodontal dressings.

Dental hygienists can work side by side the dentist to assist with tools, equipment, and cleaning. They may assist in preparing materials for the dentist and patients as well as help with clean up after each visit. Hygienists work in a clean environment and often wear masks, goggles, and gloves while working with patients. As mentioned before, many employees of this profession work part time. Schedules are flexible and hygienists may even work at more than one different office. Now that you know what the job is like, read on to learn how become qualified for this position.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm

The Commission on Dental Accreditation certifies almost 300 programs across the nation. Initial classes consist of similar subjects to those that are taught in the first two years of medical school, such as anatomy, chemistry, microbiology and pharmacology. These classes are followed by subjects specific to dentistry and include courses in periodontology (study of gum disease), instrumentation, radiology and clinical dental hygiene. Graduation from a hygiene program will take two to four years of classwork depending on your choice of a university program or a community college.

Most states require that you graduate from an accredited program before taking the state licensing exam, which is given by The American Dental Association's Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. The test covers both clinical dental hygiene and written knowledge. Check your local state requirements for exact details on how to become licensed in the state you will be working in.

Once you have finished your education and you have become licensed in your state, it is time to find a job. The need for dental hygienists is increasing and the job market in this field is good, so finding a job should not be too difficult. One factor that will determine how easy it will be to find a job is the amount of other graduates in your area who are also looking to be hired.

The average annual salary for dental hygienists is about $55,000 to $79,000. This is based on factors such as location, experience and hours worked per week. Benifits such as health insurance may vary by location. According to surveys, about half of all dental hygienists receive benefits through their employer.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm