Monday, November 16, 2009

What classes do i need to become a dental hygienist??

so i am a freshman in college this year and my career goal is to be a dental hygienist! what do i need to study and stuff like that.?

What classes do i need to become a dental hygienist??
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What degree do i need, to become a dental hygienist? (i need information)?

im planning to go to a community college first and then transfering to another college. i think after i finish the 2 years of the community college i'll receive a b.s. does that make sense? im only 16 years old, i dont know much about degrees and getting jobs.


so maybe i should ask, what do i need, so i can get a job as a dental hygienist?

What degree do i need, to become a dental hygienist? (i need information)?
Where I live, you can go to a tech school and it is a 2 year associate degree.

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How long does it take to become a dental hygienist?Does any place in Guildford/London offers a short course?

I have a diploma in nursing and 2 years of unfinished medical uni(almost a doctor,could not finish it.Family reasons),but i have always had this dream of becoming a dental hygienist.My friend-a dentist have told me that there are some places(especially in London) where u can undergo a max 1year long course and work straight after that.


Please please tell me if you know of such places.Perhaps my dream will come true....!!! I will be gratefull for any information.

How long does it take to become a dental hygienist?Does any place in Guildford/London offers a short course?
Your friend is wrong - the minimum length of time is 2 years. Look at the website of the British Society of Dental Hygiene %26amp; Therapy for details of courses -





http://www.bdha.org.uk/





There are currently 18 training schools in UK, 3 of which are in London. Be warned - competition for places is extremely tough, especially for those who do not have a dental background.


Toungue ring, dreadlocks, small gauged ears: Considering dental hygienist position.........................

If you were able to dress up your dreads and still look professional, do you think you would be able to get the job of being a dental hygienist? or do you think that that style would be too offensive to qualify because you are working with people who may not favor that style?

Toungue ring, dreadlocks, small gauged ears: Considering dental hygienist position.........................
Maybe... People who see people with dreads tend to think that they are dirty and gross. Thats not true though, and I honestly dont get it, dreads look rockin. Maybe if you put it in a fancy little ponytail or something if might make it less bad. The tounge ring..well, i havve one and i know all dentists HATE any type of oral peircings so u might want to put in a spacer. Gauged ears if they are small are okay, you might need to take them out though.
Reply:Hate to say it, but I doubt you would get hired. There are too many people out there that are closed minded. But don't let that stop you from trying.
Reply:I think in life there are many different employees for all different employers. Sadly though I don't know of any dental practice that would hire a person with that image. I wish that there was though .....how old are you...Maybe this image has worked well for you up until this time and now it is the moment to change to better your future and become a dental hygienist. I think that we all make changes in our lives to be successfully in the future. Good Luck
Reply:Hey... I have a nose ring, an eyebrow ring.. 9 ear piercings... and I too am considering going into DH. I think that its a free country and you shouldnt get rejected for not being mainstream... but yes I think some people would find dreads offensive. :( But hey, as far as the tongue ring and ears goes.. no prob. your patients arent going to be staring in your mouth, and you dont have to worry about the earrings either... I think they would fine my 9 piercings worse than that. If you really want this job, but dont want to give up what makes you you, there are other cool hair choices out there. Just check on the internet for certain ways you could layer it, or color it... you could still lover your hair, and others would too. I hope this helps! Good luck!
Reply:You first have to get a COLLEGE DEGREE in dental hygiene. You cant just apply to be one cause you WONT get the job without a degree. And no you will be yelled at in a dental hygiene program if you look like that. They will tell you to change your hair, take out any and all piercings. Or they will just dismiss you from the program for not looking professional. You dont look professional if you have all those piercings.


Also tongue rings are bad for your gums (gingiva) which is not professional.





If you mean you want to be a dental ASSISTANT which is below a dental hygienist and you dont need a degree for then you still probably wont get the job. Your appearance is not acceptable for a healthcare position at all.
Reply:I think it depends on the area too. I'm from the Bay Area and my hygienists dressed like that. Nose and brow piercing. The jewelry was plain and small. But I didn't see mouth piercings though. I remember one had blond dreads but tied it neatly back. It's more casual there though. It was in the Haight and Mission district. I think it really depends on the area. But most are more conservative I see. =)


Should i be a pharmacist or a dental hygienist?

I am a university student in Australia, i am trying to decide whether i want to become a pharmacist or a dental hygienist. Which is a better career in regards to income, career growth, choices and anything else you can think of. I can get into either degree that i want to, i'm just not sure which is the better career.

Should i be a pharmacist or a dental hygienist?
pharmacist!!!!! because if you work in a dental office you might have to work on people that have aids or something.
Reply:better hours for a hygienist.
Reply:i would DEFONATLY be a dental hygienist because it is a lot more interesting for me and i would enjoy it a lot more.
Reply:the wiser choice is pushing trolleys in Tescos car park- little responsibility, and no constant earache-this hurts;that hurts.winge, winge.winge!-youll get all that if ur a pharmacist or a hygenist (am I cynical and uncaring or what?)


Would it make sense to for me to be a Dental Hygienist?

I completed a bachelor degree in Science majoring in Microbiology.


The reason Im considering becoming a dental hygienist is because the employment prospects are good and the salary is reasonable.





But I wonder if the career advancement prospects are good.


Is there much scope for salary increases?


If you stay as a dental hygienist for your whole career, do you get significantly higher pay to match your expereince and reliability?





I would enjoy a fishery/aquaculture or a footballing or even a seafaring career but the job prospects dont seem to be that good anymore and Im 26 already and I have to get serious about finding long-term employment.





What about Dentistry school?


I did not do a Bacelor of Science in Dentistry so does it mean I can never become a Dentist?

Would it make sense to for me to be a Dental Hygienist?
being a dental hygienist normally means that ure pay will start and stay at the same rate, it may go up a few pounds an hour but not a great deal. unless u specalise in it ...


its never to late to become a dentist and i am sure u degree u have already done, will take some time off the 5 year degree


good luck whatever you chose


training as a dentist will mean a load more money and they potential to earn even when and if you choose

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Should i be a pharmacist or a dental hygienist?

I am a university student in Australia, i am trying to decide whether i want to become a pharmacist or a dental hygienist. Which is a better career in regards to income, career growth, choices and anything else you can think of. I can get into either degree that i want to, i'm just not sure which is the better career.

Should i be a pharmacist or a dental hygienist?
Pharmacist is much better in terms of salary, growth and choices. With a Pharmacist degree, you can even start you own pharmacy one day. A dental hygienist can never open their own dental practice. The better option is the pharmacist...harder work, but bigger payoff.
Reply:Pharmacist is harder and in my opinion a bit less noble a profession...





But... a hygienist is a dirty, filthy, job... Unless you have a weird fetish for dirty rotten mouths... I'd go with the RPH,





HANDS DOWN.
Reply:Dental hygienist - not to mention it is more 'challenging' than being a pharmacist. My uncle is a pharmacist and it is quite boring. I watch him sell medicine to customers, talk to them about their health, etc... but it just seems boring to me. As a dental hygienist, it seems like you have more to do. And you can expand and learn more..such as become MORE than a hygienist. Maybe you can learn to be an orthodontist.. etc etc.. Whatever it is, choose something that is your passion.
Reply:I probably won't be much help, but I suggest you get a few books about the two careers, and learn more about them. Pharmacists do earn a lot of money, but dental hygienists do as well. In the end, though, it really matters if you are happy doing what you are doing, because being rich and miserable is no fun! Just read up on them, and figure out from there.
Reply:With a pharmacy degree you don't have to work only in retail. You can work in a hospital, do research, and even sales.





As a dental hygienist, you assist the dentist. I'm not sure what other options there are for employment.





It all comes down to where you want to spend your time and what interests you.


Need a game plan for myself to become a dental hygienist?

ok.ladies I really need your help on this one. I didn't go to college in my early 20's and I am now 28yrs old.Anyway I am with my son's father and we are having another child in august.He pays Most of the bill and the rent, and I hate to say has ALL the say in the house.I am tired of it. I want to make my own money and if things do work out I want to be able to support the kids myself. We are not in any fights or anything,however I just woke up one morning and said "Oh Sh*t" anyway when he has a bad mood he does talk about me not bring in as much money ( I work part-time) I don't want to live that way.I love him and at the end of the night he's sorryand I know he loves me too. I really can't say that I don't understand.Anyway I need some skills. it take a little over 2 yrs. to become a Hygienist and they make $60-64 thousand a year.My problem is its two years and I don't think my son father would be understanding all he is thinking is the NOW. Now is dental assisting in 8 months and it is soooo tempting and it will get me a job NOW like ASAP.Now sounds good but 60 -64k sounds better.I just don't know how to work it out.I really need some "Adult advice" because I really feel like a little girl.Should I go get the Dental Assisting First, then go study for the Dental Hygien?

Need a game plan for myself to become a dental hygienist?
If you are looking at going to a community college, it may take even longer than 2 years to do Dental Hygiene. The program probably has limited enrollment. You may need to take preregs first. Once you get into the program, it will be very demanding.





Not trying to discourage you, but just look at it realistically. Have you talked to anyone at the college yet?





Dental Assisting might have limited enrollment too. Like you said though, the program isn't as long. For instance at my community college it takes 46 credit hours to get a diploma in Dental Assisting and 76 credit hours to get a degree in Dental Hygiene.





Just think long and hard before you do anything. Consider other programs they have at the community college (maybe Dental Administrative Assistant). Talk to the advisors and department chairs at the college in the health sciences programs.





There is a lot for you to think about. Including how the demands of school will effect your family and how you will pay for school. I would start by going to the community college and taking the placement tests and talking to right people.
Reply:Oh, please go for it if that is what you want to do. Thinking long term is going to be very valuable to you over the course of your life, and that of your child or children. In 10 years you will be 10 years older, you know,whether you are a dental hygenist or working at Walmart, you will still be 10 years older.





I have a friend who was the mother of teenagers who worked at Walmart, but decided to go to school to become a hygenist. It was hard, but she did it, she was tops in her class, and now what a nice life she has. She even teaches some classes to hygene students where she went to school on the days she is not working at a dentists office, and she is really in demand and doing well for herself. Now her kids are in college, and she is happily working away at a job she loves, making good money, and 10 years older. :)


What kinds of courses do you need to take to be a dental hygienist?

-What kind of courses/classes do you need to take in high school and college to become a dental hygienist?


-What are some good dental schools?


-How hard is it to get into dental school and become a dental hygienist?


PLEASE ANSWER!

What kinds of courses do you need to take to be a dental hygienist?
I didn't major in dental hygiene, but there was someone I knew that became a dental assistant. You take any classes in high school that you need to graduate. College courses are the ones that you need to focus on besides your generals. You need to check the college or university you are planning on going to in order to get the degree. A few biology classes and health classes were required that I remember. She also went to a community college for her basic courses and finished at a technical college to earn her degree. She had to pass a test, and her GPA had to be a 3.5 or higher to just be a dental assistant.


I want to apply to Baylor College of Dental Hygienist, but I have a trouble with one of the requirements. Help

The problem is that every student has to get a "Evaluation Form" from a Dental Hygienist, that is just to observe their job, until I accumulate 16 hours of observation and signed.


So, what they told me is that I have to call dental clinics to ask them if is ok to do that, and I did but 4 of them said no and 2 said that they don't think that is possible to allow a student to do that.


What can I really do, I'm running out of time. PLEASE HELP

I want to apply to Baylor College of Dental Hygienist, but I have a trouble with one of the requirements. Help
Call Baylor's program and ask if there is an alumnus of that program who would be willing to let you do your work there. Graduates of a college are usually loyal to the schools and understand the needs of students well.

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Why do you want to become dental hygienist? not dentist?

What's the different between them? And why do want to become dental hygienist.





Just curious to know.


Thanks

Why do you want to become dental hygienist? not dentist?
Well there's a huge difference between them. A hygienist cleans the tartar form the teeth, takes x-rays, checks the gums for gum disease, discusses proper oral hygiene with the patients. They have a degree in dental hygiene (either associates or bachelors) and are licensed in their state. In some states hygienists can administer anesthetic (layman's terms: give the patients shots of Novocaine). The dentist on the other hand is a doctor who went to 4 years of college and 4 years of dental school. They fill cavities, make crowns and bridges, do root canals. extractions, veneers, implants, etc etc etc. In essence they "fix" the teeth.





I am a dental hygienist because I did not want to go to school for 8 years but I wanted a job in which I got paid well and could work part time if I decided to have a family. I worked full time until I got married now I am lucky enough to work only 2 days a week, but I probably make as much as many people who work full time do. (Pay in my area is $30-38/hr)





Now you know.
Reply:The hygienist cleans, takes x-rays and such. The dentist actually does the work such as drilling, filling cavities, pulling teeth, etc. I don't know why anyone would want to become either!
Reply:A dental hygienist needs fewer years of education than a dentist. That is why many people choose to go that direction rather than becoming a full-fledged dentist.





Also, the hygienists work shorter hours than dentists, allowing them to have more time with their families.
Reply:thanks for asking :)





i've been a dental assistant since 1995 and thought dentistry was fascinating. still do actually, but i couldn't afford to go to school for a minimum of 8 years then more time for a specialty (i wanted to be an orthodontist).





and after working for a few different dentists i saw how stressed out they all seemed. and that didn't seem too fun. also hearing that dentists had a high suicide rate didn't help either.





i saw dental hygiene as a realistic goal which would allow me to have a very flexible schedule from temping occasionally to working 1-2 days a week or full time for that matter. and allow me to start a family and still have time to myself.





also, i prefer to be on the prevention end, not the restoration end. if i can prevent someone from developing cavities through proper oral hygiene instructions then they won't have to see the dentist at all!


Will I be bored being a dental hygienist? I am nearly in tears at my current job because I'm so bored. I don't

want to run into the same problem. I would love to hear from dental hygienist about how interesting or not interesting your job is. Thank you

Will I be bored being a dental hygienist? I am nearly in tears at my current job because I'm so bored. I don't
I have a friend who is a dental hygienist and she loves it. she says theres office drama and patients that get on her nerves but thats any job...also dentistry is one of those professions where you can work only 3-4 days per week and make as much as ppl do working 5 days, My friend works only 4 days per week and shes only been in it for less than a year. She makes really good money too. think about what you really want to do , with career and live its always trial and error- you just have to test out and eliminate what doesnt work.
Reply:very, very, very boring.
Reply:Keep serching until you find somthing you like, you get what you settle for in this world!


How good a job is a dental hygienist?

I am considering going into being a dental hygienist and I am wondering about the college courses I will have to take, the pay, the working environment, and whatever else anyone knows about the job. Thanks.

How good a job is a dental hygienist?
According to the US Dept of Labor:





Key points:


*Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree; others offer a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree.


*Dental hygienists rank among the fastest growing occupations.


*Job prospects are expected to remain excellent.


*More than half work part time, and flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job.





Education:


In 2004, the Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited 266 programs in dental hygiene. Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree, although some also offer a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. **A minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office.** A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.





Licensing:


Dental hygienists must be licensed by the State in which they practice. To qualify for licensure in nearly all States, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical examination. The American Dental Association’s Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations administers the written examination, which is accepted by all States and the District of Columbia. State or regional testing agencies administer the clinical examination. In addition, most States require an examination on the legal aspects of dental hygiene practice. Alabama allows candidates to take its examinations if they have been trained through a State-regulated on-the-job program in a dentist’s office.





To get into a college program:


A high school diploma and college entrance test scores are usually required for admission to a dental hygiene program. Also, some dental hygiene programs prefer applicants who have completed at least 1 year of college. Requirements vary from one school to another.





Subjects you'll study:


Schools offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, radiography, histology (the study of tissue structure), periodontology (the study of gum diseases), pathology, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences.





Skills needed:


Dental hygienists should work well with others and must have good manual dexterity, because they use dental instruments within a patient’s mouth, with little room for error. High school students interested in becoming a dental hygienist should take courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics.





Wages:


Median hourly earnings of dental hygienists were $28.05 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $22.72 and $33.82 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18.05, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $40.70 an hour.





Earnings vary by geographic location, employment setting, and years of experience. Dental hygienists may be paid on an hourly, daily, salary, or commission basis.





Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), almost all full-time dental hygienists employed by private practitioners received paid vacation. The ADA also found that 9 out of 10 full-time and part-time dental hygienists received dental coverage. Dental hygienists who work for school systems, public health agencies, the Federal Government, or State agencies usually have substantial benefits.





Working Environment:


Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. Full-time, part-time, evening, and weekend schedules are widely available. Dentists frequently hire hygienists to work only 2 or 3 days a week, so hygienists may hold jobs in more than one dental office.





Dental hygienists work in clean, well-lighted offices. Important health safeguards include strict adherence to proper radiological procedures, and the use of appropriate protective devices when administering anesthetic gas. Dental hygienists also wear safety glasses, surgical masks, and gloves to protect themselves and patients from infectious diseases.





What you'll do:


Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. Hygienists examine patients’ teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; perform root planing as a periodontal therapy; take and develop dental x rays; and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some States, hygienists administer anesthetics; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations. Although hygienists may not diagnose diseases, they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists sometimes work chairside with the dentist during treatment.





Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health or inform patients how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their teeth.





Dental hygienists use hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonics to clean and polish teeth, x-ray machines to take dental pictures, syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics, and models of teeth to explain oral hygiene.





Good luck!
Reply:I have about 40 hygienist who work for me. I run a large dental company. hygienest work for us on commission. Their hourly rate works out to somewhere in the range of $32 to $35 an hour with some earning much more than that.





We also offer some pretty good benefits.


How long does it take to go from a dental hygienist to a dentist?

after the longest time of thinking about my future job, i've decided that i wanted to become a dental hygienist. But i also want to become a dentist, and I wanted to know how long it takes to go from a dental hygienist to become a dentist..


thanks!

How long does it take to go from a dental hygienist to a dentist?
You have to already have your BS degree in one of the science.You then must enter dental school, and finish the 4 year course to graduate with a DDS, or DMD degree. Then you got to intern as medical doctors do (at least 1 yr.). You must also pass the state licensing board to practice.You may be looking at least 5-7 years of hard work and studying, depending on your education credentials you now possess.
Reply:A dentist has to go to medical school, at least 3 years. You don't become a dentist by being a dental hygienist, even if you do it all your life.
Reply:Usually dentist comes in right after hygienist leaves.

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What kind of degree could assist a dental hygienist..?

I am planning on going to the University of Missouri-Coulmbia with my girlfriend in the Fall of '09, She wants to study to become a dental hygienist, however Mizzou does not offer a direct degree or training for that career, is there another degree/major that would help her or assist her in the career she wants before dental school?

What kind of degree could assist a dental hygienist..?
"Pure Shooter" (above) has some great points, but if your bent on it, I think biology is good.
Reply:Health Services Administration is a degree used for office management. i was going to get hired to run a dental office. If you want to be a dental hygentist then it would be pointless to do this degree though. There is no overlap between the administrative and clerical world





Besides dental assistant, I don't think there are any. Thats a two year program and I dont think it pays jack.


Are classes to become a dental hygienist hard??

what makes it soo hard??





im 16 and i think i want to become a dental hygienist when im older


im not very good at science though





any other input you can put??

Are classes to become a dental hygienist hard??
No, hygiene school is not hard, if you are committed to it. The material is a lot of memorization and practice clinically. The instructors will do everything they can to help you succeed. It is very science based, so try to take some biology or human anatomy and physiology classes in high school to get a better understanding of the science you will need in college. Its a great profession!! You may want to shadow a hygienist for a day or two when you are on summer vacation to see what its all about. Good Luck! Hope this helps! =)
Reply:I go to school now to become a dental assistant and to me it's very hard but at the same time it's intresting to learn about everything.


When you've become a dental hygienist, do u have to buy your own commercial property?

Im want to become a dental hygienist, but im not too clear how they start there own business, if anyone is already one, please provide as much information as u can.





And by the way, what was your average for getting into university when you were going for dentistry?





10 points - Thanks

When you've become a dental hygienist, do u have to buy your own commercial property?
Hygenists work in a dentists office, not in their own practice. You will not need an office. You will do routine cleanings, and consult the dentist if any problems are present


I much money does a Dental Hygienist make?

I am going to school for Dental Hygienist and I'm wondering how much money should I exspect to be paid?

I much money does a Dental Hygienist make?
Hello, It varies from state to state. For instance I am in NY I will will be getting paid between 35-40 dollars an hour. You can work with commission as well. You would have to discuss that with the dentist. Here is a great website to study from with sample questions for each subject in dental hygiene and also you can read people's pay information throughout the years and throughout US. Make sure you read the year they left the comment on the side since pay has changed.


http://www.amyrdh.com/pay.html


Another website without pay info but with interactive quizzes study cases and so on is www.andyrdh.com It will help you for the boards.


Lastly this website is a job search website but if you enter the zip code of the area you live in it will give you the salary/year





http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=dental+h...





Good luck with school

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Does anybody hate being a dental hygienist as much as I do?

I am a dental hygienist and have been one now for five years. School was very difficult but I graduated five years ago and have been out in the real world. The dentists I have worked for our mostly about money, production numbers, etc. It is hard on my back, difficult work and frankly, patients have NOOOO clue how hard it is to become one. Most think you get trained on the job! Does anybody else feel that way? I am taking the GRE to go to Graduate School - I am thinking about becoming a Nurse Practitioner - first a Nurse and then an NP. I really want something that make me think and solve complex problems. I think I would like working in a hospital - even acute care. Any advice about any of this?

Does anybody hate being a dental hygienist as much as I do?
I think you are on the right path. Becoming a nurse practitioner is a great career move and there will be many career opportunities for years to come. The part that you need to consider though is nursing school. It isn't going to be easy, and working as a nurse in a hospital is also very, very hard and stressful work, but you will need solid nursing experience to become a good NP.





I think you can do it!





Good Luck.


I want to become a dental hygienist, is the program hard?

I hard the dental hygienist program was very hard to get into and that the program itself is very hard is that true.

I want to become a dental hygienist, is the program hard?
Hey there...


I am a dental hygienist, and I recently graduated from hygiene school.


It is very hard. You have a lot that is expected of you... but, if you want to do it and it is worth it to you, it seems to fly by.


Boards stink, though. That's the most stressful part, I think. But, whether you get a 2 year degree or a 4 year degree, be prepared for at least 2 years of rigorous hygiene education. You're going to have a lot to learn! And it is stressful... wait till you give your first injection. YIKES. I don't think I've ever been so terrified in all my life!


Good luck. It's totally worth it, and now that I look back on it, it wasn't that bad! :)
Reply:my cousin just graduated that. yes its hard, very technical, but you can do anything u put your mind to!
Reply:Go for it! You can do it..........
Reply:Dont ever ask other ppl who ARENT in that profession if it is hard or not! I learned the hard way, ppl will try to discourage you to go and do what you "CAN" do because they "CANT" do it. Thats why you should GO for it. B/c if you live relying on what others will say, you will get nothing done. Im sure someone will say that becoming a chef, singer, producer, actor, doctor, etc is HARD but dont knock it until you have tried your best. When your best fails then its not the thing for you.--


peace*
Reply:What State you live in would determine that...in many states you can take a 2 or 4 year program...they are basically the same...and the reward at the end is great...in our area...hyg. make about 40.00 an hour straight out of school..yes the program is difficult...and many people do not make it...but it is a lifetime of financial reward....
Reply:I have the same dilemma. However, even though I'm afraid that I might not get in, I'm going to try anyways. OnceI get in, I'm going to bust my *** just to graduate. Good luck (for both of us) :-)


Which degree are related to dental hygienist?

Is social work, sociology or psychology possible use for dental hygienist requirement? That's included technical school.

Which degree are related to dental hygienist?
Directly none of these are a straight link...however all would be possible. The real question is how many of your DH courses will transfer to a 4 year school. Once you are in the school you can declare any major you want.





DA


My friend asked me about Dental Hygienist profession, do you need a license to practice?

what is the average salary for entry levelfor dental hygienist without the license? and with license? anyone know?

My friend asked me about Dental Hygienist profession, do you need a license to practice?
Dental hygienists have to be licensed.
Reply:In California YES. You can make a pretty good living. 300 to 400 a day.
Reply:Yes, every state in the US and every Provence in Canada.

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Can anyone that is a dental hygienist tell me about the job?

I'm a junior in high school thinking about becoming a dental hygienist. Is the job demanding and difficult? How is the pay? What are some of their duties?

Can anyone that is a dental hygienist tell me about the job?
Although I am not a DH I am a Dental Assistant and work along side Hygienist's for years. Amazing Pay, good working conditions but high rate of Burn-out. Back, and hand injuries are common. I've been a DA for 20 years and never had the desire to go into hygiene, I make half what they do but $$$ isn't everything. My wage is respectable. Look into Dental Assisting as well , it offers more variety. Hygiene is a limited scope, In My humble opinion. I know very few Hygienist who love what they do after a couple years.
Reply:My wife was a gumgardner, Is hard on hands and neck I beleive you get felling down in the mouth after a while(pun intended) Good pay working conditions depend on dentist you work for.


do you have small hands


/


it helps
Reply:A dental hygienist is to the dental profession what the RN is to the medical profession. How demanding it is depends on who you work for.





My friend has been a licensed DH for 30 years and she works only 4 days a week. She does very well and supervises other DH's in a busy office.


Can an army dental assistant be certified as a dental hygienist?

I'm trying to find out if an Army dental assistant (68E) can be certified as a civillian dental hygienist. If so, how? what are the requirements?

Can an army dental assistant be certified as a dental hygienist?
No, you have to go to college to take the classes just like a civilian would. You CAN do this on active duty and the Army will pay for it with tuition assistance. Also an ASSISTANT and a Hygienist are far from the same thing. You will learn a lot of hands on information working with the Army Dentist so you will have an advantage over someone in the civilian world who has never had your on the job training, but each state requires you to be certified just like a nurse would be to work as an assistant or hygienist in a civilian dental office.
Reply:Check with your career counselor - most military posts have someone who can help you convert your military training to civilian certification. He or she will be able to tell you what can be directly converted (for example, my AIT training in Journalism was converted directly to college credit) or where you might need some additional military or civilian education. He or she will also be able to help you get that certification if it is possible while serving on active duty.





The advice about checking with the dentist you work with may or may not be valid. If that dentist is career military, he or she may not be familiar with what is needed as a civilian.


Want to become a dental hygienist....?

I'm a senior in high school in VA. I decided I want to become a dental hygienist. I found a college in NC that is actually closer than Virginia Western Community College, the college I decided to apply to first. In the program for the one in NC (Wayne Community College) it says everyone will take the board examinations for licensing at the end. Could I still go here if I wanted to be licensed in VA? Would I just not take the tests with everyone else and instead take the VA ones? Also, my dad happened to find out that he works with the son of someone who may be involved in the application reviewing process at Virginia Western, and got his phone #. He keeps telling me I need to call him and ask questions or something just incase it would help me, but I have no idea what I'd say. Suggestions?

Want to become a dental hygienist....?
All good questions you've asked. For the exam, it's a national exam, so you could practice in any state. It may be wise to go with the program close to home.





If you want to work in a dental office without a license, you can only do so as the receptionist.
Reply:There is most likely a state board to regulate the work of dental hygienists. I would check with both state boards as to what the certification requirements are to work as a DH. Just a word to the wise that the DH course is supposed to be quite rigorous with a lot of courses in the sciences including the head and neck and, in some states, the DH can actually administer some type of anesthesia (just sounds daunting to me ;) under the supervision of a licensed dentist. I'd thought about that career at one time though I'm a little too obsessive-compulsive to deal with bodily fluids, ie. blood, saliva :) I'd also looked at some dental books with people that had some challenging cases of dental disease and/or injuries to the mouth and realized that it was just not for me.





You are very fortunate to be able to major in the field and should do well.





For more career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and search 'dental hygienist' or such. There should be other resources listed at the bottom of the entry.





For other info: http://www.ada.org and search 'careers in dentistry'.





For US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ


How much does a dental hygienist make?

Am looking for a current pay, preferable from a dental hygienist.

How much does a dental hygienist make?
I am DH student. The pay depends on what state you live in. About min. 30,000 to max 100,000 is the pay rate. Average in states such as Mass, CA, virginia, it is about 50-60,000. It all depends on the demand for oral health in the state the DH works in, how much education she has (2 yr degree, 4 yr or more college education), and what she/he is certified to do. (some DH are certified to give local anestheisa and they make more money if they have the ceritification).


To view the pay rate range for your state visit the US government job outlook. It is available online search yahoo for it and you will find it. Then click on dental hygiene career and they will tell you all about a DH.
Reply:Depends on the location. What state are you aiming for?
Reply:Do a zip code search at http://www.careerbuilders.com or http://www.monster.com or http://www.payscale.com You can also check with the US Department of Labor at http://www.bls.gov/





My hygienist is now making $42.50 an hour, plus office and hygiene bonus. She has been with me for 13 years and plans to stay the remaining 10 or so years of my career, at which time she will probably be making more than me. (haha)





My daughter is an ICU nurse and she asked me why I didn't tell her that hygienists make so much money. She didn't ask. Actually, she's making about $60 an hour, but she's busting her butt for that. She makes life and death decisions, also.





I have no problem paying my hygienist very well. First of, a hygienist can make or break the practice, as she can attract or chase away patients just as quickly as I can. She contributes immensely to the office productivity. This is in direct production, but even more important than that, she allows ME to be more productive because I am not spending so much time in the "break-even" proposition of doing prophies. My prophy fees are set at the point where I would be just covering overhead if I do them myself so I am providing a service without losing any money.

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How much does a Dental hygienist make?

i want to be a dental hygienist but im just wondering what the average salary is? also any other info would be nice!

How much does a Dental hygienist make?
Depends on the area that you live in. Some states pay better than others. I just graduated from a Dental Hygiene program in California where the pay is around $400/day (give or take). For anyone to suggest that we make too much money for what we do shows how ignorant they are. It was a Hellish 2 year program after at least 2 years of prerequisites to get into the program; the SAME prerequisites that nurses have to take. I suppose they make too much money too. I had to take an 8 hour long National board exam and then a State board exam. I am highly educated and qualified in the field of dental hygiene. Maybe "Dub's" dad could have mentioned that he probably only got about 6 weeks of education on dental hygiene and the rest was "drill, fill and extract".
Reply:a shitload for not having gone to any sort of college, anywhere from 40k to 60k.
Reply:They make a lot of money. My Aunt is one and she makes $600 a day. She only works 2 days a week since she has a family but it for sure a wonderful thing to do. I am in schooling for it right now..
Reply:depends on the doctor some pay per patient and give bonuses, all the ones I have known only work 2 or 3 days.
Reply:You may want to take a look at the Occupational Handbook, an online resource compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through the Department of Labor. It is a source that contains listings on various careers and provides readers with such information as educational requirements, necessary skills, salary, job outlook, etc. According to the Occupational Handbook, "Median hourly earnings of dental hygienists were $28.05 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $22.72 and $33.82 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18.05, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $40.70 an hour." Of course, there is some variance due to such factors as geographic region. In regard to job outlook, "Because multiple jobholding is common in this field, the number of jobs exceeds the number of hygienists" and that the "Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2014, ranking among the fastest growing occupations." Here is the link to the dental hygienists listing in the handbook:





http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm





If you are a dental hygiene student, you may want to join the ADHA, the American Dental Hygienists' Association for additional resources.
Reply:I live in Georgia, metro Atlanta area, work 4 days a week, and have a salary of $50,000. Bonuses are paid uniforms, paid ceus, and paid vacation.


If you become a dental hygienist...?

when you take courses at college are you a undergraduate student or a graduate student? Because in order to apply to the college I am applying to they want to know which one I will be. I want to be a dental hygienist but I'm not sure if that is an undergraduate program or a graduate program.


Thanks..

If you become a dental hygienist...?
A graduate student has already completed a 4-year education and has a degree. For a graduate, this would be supplementary education.





If you have little or no previous college, and no degree, you're an undergrad.





---adnyuk, no need to be a prick.
Reply:You need to apply to Walmart..............
Reply:you can apply for wichever one you want. there's undergraduate programs (two years) and graduate programs (4+ years).
Reply:I think neither. I think it is a certification but not a degree, like licensed vocational nursing or massage therapy. It is like a trade school, maybe it is an associates degree.





Dental hygienist is below both bachelors and master's degrees, in terms of credit hours, electives, and such.


What Exactly does a Dental Hygienist do?

I am thinking about becoming a dental hygienist and would like more information about it. If anyone can help, it would be really appreciated. I am heading to college in a few months and am considering becoming one. Thank you

What Exactly does a Dental Hygienist do?
As a dentist myself, I can tell you the a dental hygienist plays an extremely important role in dentistry. He/she is the one who actually cleans your teeth (scaling and polishing), takes and usually develops your X-rays and educates the patient in the art of good oral hygiene. Usually when one of my patients comes in just for a cleaning the hygienist does everything for the patient and I myself only come in to check the X-rays and talk with the patient and discuss treatment should the x-rays show a problem. This frees the dentist up to actually tend to the more important dental procedures therefore being able to assist and help more patients
Reply:Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. Hygienists examine patients� teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; perform root planing as a periodontal therapy; take and develop dental x rays; and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some States, hygienists administer anesthetics; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations. Although hygienists may not diagnose diseases, they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists sometimes work chairside with the dentist during treatment.





Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health or inform patients how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their teeth.





Dental hygienists use hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonics to clean and polish teeth, x-ray machines to take dental pictures, syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics, and models of teeth to explain oral hygiene.








Here's a link for more info:


http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm





Good luck at school!
Reply:this type of person porvides info to the uninformed about how to care for teeth.


I want to be a dental hygienist but I am getting a Bachelor's biology degree....?

I am attending the Unversity Of Missouri- Columbia, and in a few months I will be recieving a degree in biology. I want to know how I can use this degree to get into the career field of a dental hygienist. Since I already have a degree in a related core area, is there just let a test I could take to certify me as a DH or do I have to go for another 2-4 years to another school since UMC does not offer a dental curriculum?

I want to be a dental hygienist but I am getting a Bachelor's biology degree....?
You would need to check with your local community college. Since dental hygienists learn career specific information, more than likely you will need to attend a local hygienist program through school. Provided you have everything finished when you apply- your looking at 2-3 years depending on the school for part-time work in this area.





I am looking at this career option as well. I already have my degree in Business Admin and Accounting. I have taken all of the prerequisite science classes and will be applying in the spring. I will have to go back only for the Dental Hygiene specific courses- everything else is done. This will be 2 years, but I will only have to go part-time. You would probably need to same.





Not to mention that you will have clinicals that you will have to complete. No test will allow you to practice until after you have gone through the dental hygiene program. You would be wise to check with your state licensing board since this would put you in contact with patients.





Good Luck.

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How can i become a dental hygienist?

I am a foreign dentist from over seas and i currently live in US California. I have passed the dental board part one exam. I would like to become a dentist here in America but the ADA stated that while someone is studying to become a dentist he/she can work as a dental hygienist. Can someone please tell me where to turn to?


(sorry for the unorthodox question)

How can i become a dental hygienist?
As a dentist myself, I recommend the first place you should turn to is the California Secretary of State office, ask to speak to someone concerning licensing requirements for your state and someone there should be able to answer your questions or will give you the number of someone who can. Good luck, its always nice to meet a fellow dentist!
Reply:You have to go to college to become a dental hygienist. Or contact the board of dentistry to find out if you can take licensing tests to be a DH right now (most likely not. You probably have to go to a 2 year college to be eligible to take licensing tests to be a DH).


I am a DH student and there is a woman in my class who was a dentist in Russia. She had to enroll in the college to start from the begining to become a Dental Hygienist. So most likely you have to start all over from scratch.


Visit ADA.org for local dental hygiene colleges near you. Then apply to as many as you can because the programs are very difficult to get into.


I am a dental hygienist, Wanting to become a dentist...?

I am a dental hygienist, and i was thinking about going back to school to be a dentist. But my question is, do I have to start all over again? Or do I have some what of a jump start into it, if that makes sense.. Thanks!

I am a dental hygienist, Wanting to become a dentist...?
You will have somewhat of a jump start in that you have dental experience, and know a lot more than someone who is just starting college.





Other than that, the only other advantage you would have is that you have some college credits out of the way.


Can color blind dental hygienist be successful?

my boyfriend wants to be a dental hygienist, but he's color blind. i know they have to be able to distinguish between the colors of healthy and unhealthy gums, in addition to the different shades of teeth. does anyone know how much of a negative impact this will have?

Can color blind dental hygienist be successful?
I think he could be successful. He has been using this color blindess for a while - he is used to distinguishing 'colors' and 'shades' from eachother. Not everything is always about sight - either. Those who have lost partial or complete ability to a sense will get stronger in the others, too.





I don't think there will be too much of a hurdle for him. There might be frustration - however, like I said - the other senses should help, and if he was born this way - or it came over time, he has gotten used to it, and found a way to cope.


Massage Therapist vs. Dental Hygienist?

I love the idea of being a massage therapist because of the relaxing environment and personal relationships with the clients. I am also interested in Dental hygienist because of the high pay, high demand, small amount of training and respect. can someone please compare and contrast the careers for me?

Massage Therapist vs. Dental Hygienist?
Right now I am in school for becoming a Massage therapist. I love it so far. And there is a high demand for us to. If people were to get a massage just every once in a while then they wouldn't so many health problems. And that would cut down on prescriptions that have all these side effects. I am only 18 and I already have 2 bulging disks and those disks that are bulging are also degenerative. I have always wanted to be a massage therapist since I was 15 so.... and I have now decided that I am going to do pregnancy massage. I just cant wait to graduate and start helping people. Though you do get better pay with the Dental Hygienist but if you think about it you have a lot more flexible time with massage therapy. But whatever you choose good luck!!!
Reply:More work available to the hygienist. You could always do massage on the side but I think you would have a more steady income in the dental field and you can work anywhere you might move. There always seems to be a demand and the clientele is waiting for you - you won't have to find your own customers - rent your own space or pay insurance!
Reply:I just had my 6 month teeth cleaning this morning, and I, can't figure out why anyone would want to be a dental hygenist. I couldn't imagine having to work in someones mouth that doesn't take care of their teeth. Gross.


Go for the massage therapist!
Reply:Dental is the way to go. Lots more of future opps....

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Help! nurse or dental hygienist?

I am fixing to begin college and i cannot decide if i want to do dental hygeine or nursing. They both pay around the same and I have weighed the pros and the cons of each. I like the idea of hygienist because it is less physically and emotionally demanding, but i like nursing because of the variety of feidls you can enter, etc. So i think i have narrowed it down to which will take the least amount of school/ work/ any ideas? opinions?

Help! nurse or dental hygienist?
well, hygienist is easier... but you will be cleaning the same plaque off the same tooth till retirement. nursing is a little more laborous, but you will see alot more and less chance of getting bored. you can talk to patients in a hospital, kinda hard to socialize with someone who had a mouth full of tools. not to mention, nursing is alot more rewarding than brushing someones nasty teeth!
Reply:think about which one you will still be passionate about in 20 years
Reply:Nursing is great, however, emotions can get in the way when it comes to young people, like infants dying.
Reply:voluenteer to work with each so that you get a sense for which your more comfortable with ... nurses do a lot of gross things with old rotting people. dental hygenists do lots of things with gross teeth.
Reply:I think you gave yourself an answer."Dental Hygienist" yes we need nurses too and lots of them and good ones. There will be a lot of different fields out there you can enter. But I get the feeling you rather don't go to school to long and don't like to work to hard. So go for dental hygienist. Ask yourself will I still like this job in 10 years ? What happens if somebody dies on my watch? Or screams in pain? Can you handle it all, and will you have the stomach for it?? I wish you all the best in your decision
Reply:Please try: http://www.nursingmasters.com They have lots of good information on various nursing degrees both Bachelors and Masters


Career options for dental hygienist other than clinical?

What can a dental hygienist do other than clinical work? I have my bachelors of science. I don't see myself doing clinical work for very long. I am not located in a big metropolitan area either. Do other RDH's find that they do not enjoy clinical hygiene?

Career options for dental hygienist other than clinical?
You can become a sales rep for either a distributor like Patterson or a manufacturer like Dentsply/Caulk or HuFriedy. You already know a lot about what's important clinically, so it should be a short step to learning the sales aspect of it.





There are probably some opportunities with insurance companies. You couldn't be a dental consultant, but you could be a liason or a sales rep or whatever they call it when a company like Delta sends a rep out to explain their plans to a union or an employer.





I order to enjoy clinical hygiene, maybe you need to realign your priorities. Sure, cleaning the tartar is what you do, but maybe you need to spend more time relating to the people and building relations so that cleaning teeth is just part of the visit. Turn the visit more social. Get to know more about the people attached to the teeth you are cleaning. This should be easier to do in a small town, too. Read your local paper.
Reply:no choices
Reply:you can teach at a hyg school, be a rep, or work at a prison with their dental needs.


What is a dental hygienist?

what do they do? what's the diffs between a dent. hygienist and dentist or dental nurse?

What is a dental hygienist?
Okay I am a hygienist and yes our main job is to "clean" your teeth however we have to have a college degree and have be licensed in our state to practice. As a hygienist we remove tartar both above and below the gumline to prevent gum disease and bone loss. This is very important. Your gums are our main concern, we measure the space between the tooth and gum to check for deep pockets (which is gum disease). We are there to educate you on good dental hygiene and the importance of taking care of your teeth. We also take x-rays and polish your teeth.





A dentist is a doctor who went through four years of college then four years of dental school. They do fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, dentures, crowns, bridges, ans so much more. They concentrate on fixing any tooth problems.





A dental assistant mainly assists the doctor in his procedures but also does so much more at the dental office. They are normally responsible for ordering supplies, making models, taking x-rays, pretty much keeping the back of the office running. A degree or license is not required for an assistant but they do have to be x-ray certified.
Reply:Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. Hygienists examine patients’ teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; perform root planing as a periodontal therapy; take and develop dental x rays; and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some States, hygienists administer anesthetics; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations. Although hygienists may not diagnose diseases, they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists sometimes work chairside with the dentist during treatment.





Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health or inform patients how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their teeth.





Dental hygienists use hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonics to clean and polish teeth, x-ray machines to take dental pictures, syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics, and models of teeth to explain oral hygiene.
Reply:a dental hygienist is the least educated of the 3. a dental hygienist only cleans your teeth (hence hygiene.) a dental nurse assists the dentist with oral surgeries. a dentist pulls teeth, diagnosis, etc.
Reply:what is a dental hygienist?





Answer : barbaric





get a bad one and they inflict pain and damage


and your mouth bleeds a lot





Clean your own teeth .... why trust anyone else with a pointed metal pick in their hand


Police Officer to Dental Hygienist/Dentist?

Being a Police Officer allows me to experience tons of new things, always have challenges and problems to solve etc, but the job stress and the stress on family life is a killer.





I haven't been with my family for a Holiday in about 2 years, and my hours (days or nights) are at the whim of the Department. Can it be rewarding and challenging, oh yeah, but honestly I'd rather spend more time with my family leading a normal life.





For this I'm looking into what was my second love as a kid, Dentistry. Only problem is I've got my fiancée, a life right now, and no financial backing. Schooling for Dentistry is a full time job, so I don't know if I can afford it (not the school itself, but living, rent, food, etc). That's why I'm looking at Dental Hygienist. Less financial burden, it seems to pull in a dang fine wage compared to what I make, almost double according to salary sites. Normal hours, less stress, Holidays with family, no Hurricane duty away from family. Good idea?

Police Officer to Dental Hygienist/Dentist?
Yes, dental school is indeed a full-time commitment and it is indeed expensive, but the good news is that dental schools usually will help you arrange low-interest student loans which will also cover your living expenses while you are in school.





You will indeed rack up quite a debt when you graduate from dental school though.. In the neighborhood of $250K-$300K range if you attended a private university dental school, or $150K-$200K range if you attended a state dental school in your state of residence (if your state has one). However, this is usually not a problem because a dentist can usually earn enough to cover the monthly student loan payments.





There are also Health Professions Scholarship Programs with the armed forces and other government agencies that will pay your entire dental school tuition and living stipend, but you need to serve several years after you graduate.





It will help immensely to have a very supportive spouse.





Also, before you can get into dental school, you need to have taken the prerequisite pre-dental college courses. That means those who never took pre-dental courses while in college will have to go back and take those courses in a post-bacculaureate program (which also costs money in tuition).





Hope this helps.
Reply:I think it's a great idea! It's only a 2 year program usually, but they can be competitive to get into. The hours are much more stable, all the usual days off, the pay is about twice what my husband(also a cop) makes, and no one will shoot at you! :) If you really love dentistry, then look into grants and loans just for dental students. There are some.





Good luck with your decision.
Reply:Yes, I know when my hubby worked on "the force" we hardly had an average life, especially with my working hours/days with his working schedule, court, etc.





I don't know how long it takes to become a hygentist but I know a dentist is a long haul.





Call the university of dental school near you and see if they have any scholarships or WICHE grants for either profession. If it is a profession in need, many have financial help.





Another suggestion, did you consider joining the school police force or your local university police force, with all your valuable experience. Or, going after a court baliff or marshall position?





Good luck
Reply:Dont be fooled thinking dental hygiene school will be any easier. it is also a FULL TIME JOB. You cant really work and they recommend that you dont work while in hygiene school.


Mostly women are DH too. So be prepared to be thought of as gay and the only man in the program. Being a DH has the stereotype that Nurses used to have...that it is a female job.


Dental hygiene is hard to get into the program and it is only taught during the day. For the second semester you may have to find all your own patients (which I had to do which was hard because cleanings take 4+ hours, 2 visits.).
Reply:I say GO FOR IT!!!





If your heart is set on it, then do what you need to do. As a dental hygienist, you can make your own schedule since you'll most likely be an independant contractor... one day a week, two days a week... work whatever hours you feel you need to work!





Most community colleges offer Dental Hygiene, so look into them. You can probably start your pre-requisites part time, and then slam right into full time once those are completed.





Good Luck to you!





:)

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Nurse become doctor? dental hygienist become dentist?

Is there any way for a nurse to become a doctor? and


Is there any way for a dental hygienist to become a dentist??

Nurse become doctor? dental hygienist become dentist?
For a nurse to become a doctor the nurse needs to take all prerequisites for medical school and then apply to medical school and complete the entire process. In nursing school, you take many different courses and don't have the prerequisites to go to medical school.





Not sure about the dental hygienist but my guess would be they would have to do the entire schooling process without any shortcuts.


Police Officer to Dental Hygienist/Dentist?

Being a Police Officer allows me to experience tons of new things, always have challenges and problems to solve etc, but the job stress and the stress on family life is a killer.





I haven't been with my family for a Holiday in about 2 years, and my hours (days or nights) are at the whim of the Department. Can it be rewarding and challenging, oh yeah, but honestly I'd rather spend more time with my family leading a normal life.





For this I'm looking into what was my second love as a kid, Dentistry. Only problem is I've got my fiancée, a life right now, and no financial backing. Schooling for Dentistry is a full time job, so I don't know if I can afford it (not the school itself, but living, rent, food, etc). That's why I'm looking at Dental Hygienist. Less financial burden, it seems to pull in a dang fine wage compared to what I make, almost double according to salary sites. Normal hours, less stress, Holidays with family, no Hurricane duty away from family. Good idea?

Police Officer to Dental Hygienist/Dentist?
Yes, dental school is indeed a full-time commitment and it is indeed expensive, but the good news is that dental schools usually will help you arrange low-interest student loans which will also cover your living expenses while you are in school.





You will indeed rack up quite a debt when you graduate from dental school though.. In the neighborhood of $250K-$300K range if you attended a private university dental school, or $150K-$200K range if you attended a state dental school in your state of residence (if your state has one). However, this is usually not a problem because a dentist can usually earn enough to cover the monthly student loan payments.





There are also Health Professions Scholarship Programs with the armed forces and other government agencies that will pay your entire dental school tuition and living stipend, but you need to serve several years after you graduate.





It will help immensely to have a very supportive spouse.





Also, before you can get into dental school, you need to have taken the prerequisite pre-dental college courses. That means those who never took pre-dental courses while in college will have to go back and take those courses in a post-bacculaureate program (which also costs money in tuition).





Hope this helps.
Reply:I think it's a great idea! It's only a 2 year program usually, but they can be competitive to get into. The hours are much more stable, all the usual days off, the pay is about twice what my husband(also a cop) makes, and no one will shoot at you! :) If you really love dentistry, then look into grants and loans just for dental students. There are some.





Good luck with your decision.
Reply:Yes, I know when my hubby worked on "the force" we hardly had an average life, especially with my working hours/days with his working schedule, court, etc.





I don't know how long it takes to become a hygentist but I know a dentist is a long haul.





Call the university of dental school near you and see if they have any scholarships or WICHE grants for either profession. If it is a profession in need, many have financial help.





Another suggestion, did you consider joining the school police force or your local university police force, with all your valuable experience. Or, going after a court baliff or marshall position?





Good luck
Reply:Dont be fooled thinking dental hygiene school will be any easier. it is also a FULL TIME JOB. You cant really work and they recommend that you dont work while in hygiene school.


Mostly women are DH too. So be prepared to be thought of as gay and the only man in the program. Being a DH has the stereotype that Nurses used to have...that it is a female job.


Dental hygiene is hard to get into the program and it is only taught during the day. For the second semester you may have to find all your own patients (which I had to do which was hard because cleanings take 4+ hours, 2 visits.).
Reply:I say GO FOR IT!!!





If your heart is set on it, then do what you need to do. As a dental hygienist, you can make your own schedule since you'll most likely be an independant contractor... one day a week, two days a week... work whatever hours you feel you need to work!





Most community colleges offer Dental Hygiene, so look into them. You can probably start your pre-requisites part time, and then slam right into full time once those are completed.





Good Luck to you!





:)


Nurse become doctor? dental hygienist become dentist?

Is there any way for a nurse to become a doctor? and


Is there any way for a dental hygienist to become a dentist??

Nurse become doctor? dental hygienist become dentist?
For a nurse to become a doctor the nurse needs to take all prerequisites for medical school and then apply to medical school and complete the entire process. In nursing school, you take many different courses and don't have the prerequisites to go to medical school.





Not sure about the dental hygienist but my guess would be they would have to do the entire schooling process without any shortcuts.


Registering as a Dental Hygienist/therapist in the UK?

I completed the Bachelor of Oral Health in Australia - I am qualified as a dental hygienist and therapist. I was wanting to know if my degree is recognised in the UK. Am I able to register to work?

Registering as a Dental Hygienist/therapist in the UK?
Yes you will able to get a job in UK...
Reply:you may have to take an exam before you can work in this country. contact the british dental association in london - they'll be able to answer any questions you have - they also have a useful website as well - www.bda.org
Reply:to work legally in Britain you have to register with the GDC(general dental council) and also have insurance . I,m sure your degree will be recognised here , good luck.

leather boots

How long does it take to be a Dental Hygienist?

I was wondering how long does it take to be a Dental Hygienist,in Texas?

How long does it take to be a Dental Hygienist?
No not 8 years, that is to be a dentist. To be a hygienist is between 2-4 years, depending on how much college you already have under your belt. If you are starting from the beginning it will be 3-4 years for either your associate or bach degree, if you have credits that can transfer, you can do the hygiene(certificate program) in 2 years.
Reply:at least 8 years of collage.


Pay rate of a dental hygienist in Australia?

What is the pay rate for a dental hygienist (not a dental nurse) in Australia? Would like to immigrate to Aus from the US.


I have been hearing between $40-60 Aus dollars and hour.

Pay rate of a dental hygienist in Australia?
I am not sure - but these sites will help you understand your entitlement to everything ::::





Working in Aussie: These sites covers all you need to know about jobs, wages and employment conditions.





http://www.wageline.com.au


http://workplace.gov.au


http://www.workingin-australia.com


http://www.workpermit.com/australia/relo...











Your Rights at Work: Minimum Wage


http://www.rightsatwork.com.au/thefacts/...





Hope it helps
Reply:65,200 - 90,100 Australian dollars a year. So 54000 - 74000 American...not bad.





Usually they have 35 hour work weeks in Australia.
Reply:there is a very strong demand for anyone in any medical field. there are specialist employment agencies for dental hygienists also general web searches such as SEEK can give you some idea of pay.

clogs

I am wanting to be a dental hygienist.?

But I have to take classes online right now. The only thing I can find online is for a dental assistant. If I did this for now what would I have to do later on to become a dental hygienist? Is there any online schools for a dental hygienist?

I am wanting to be a dental hygienist.?
If you take the online classes for dental assisting, I think you have to be employed by a dentist so he/she can monitor your progress... don't get sucked into a money-pit, where your 'degree' is nothing more than a piece of paper from XYZ Online saying you took the class.. it won't be recognized. Classes/courses need to be approved by your state's education department.





Your best option would be to take classes physically, at a school/adult education, community college, etc.





Good luck to you.
Reply:hmmm well im glad your interewsted in futhering your career you can google that question...
Reply:You cannot take online classes for Dental Hygiene. Most programs expect you to have all core/basic classes out of the way before you are accepted into a program.


I want to become a dental hygienist...?

I want to go to school to become a dental hygienist, I am 23 and have graduated from a two year program in a completely different field. I have not taken any science classes in college and I know I will need a lot for dental hygienist school, can you still get into the schools with no science classes?

I want to become a dental hygienist...?
Just go to your local community college and enroll. A friend of a a friend just did the same thing you are trying to do. It worked out great for her, she came into the program at the university level at a junior standing, her classes counted as electives and she only had to do her core courses and ended up with a bachlor degree instead of two associates.





There are many vocational dental schools. Do a web search. In Effingham, Illinos there is a dental school by the name of Excel. It is about 25 miles from Eastern Illinois University. The cost are steep, but I think yo can do it in half the time. Good Luck!
Reply:sure.. my sister became a dental hygenist and its pretty good money, it is a lot of work though. did the 2 year school you went to have a program? thats what mysister did she went to college for like 6 year before deciding to go to the 2 year junior college to dental hygenist program





sorry if that didnt help
Reply:college of lake county in illinois is really good community college w/ a DH program and its a good price


If someone is a state licensed Dental Hygienist in the USA, and they move to another country.....?

If someone is a state licensed Dental Hygienist (NOT Dental Assistant) practicing in the USA, and they move to another country, such as Canada, Australia, or the UK..... can they alos legally practice as a Dental Hygienist in that country?

If someone is a state licensed Dental Hygienist in the USA, and they move to another country.....?
There was one intelligent person out there that gave me this info. Thank you so much! :)





yes, you can practice dental hygiene in other countries. you must however get licenced by the licencing body of that area. Some will require you to write an exam, for example in canada you must write the national board exam for dental hygiene, then you can practice in any provence, some provences though require you to write their own exam afterwards to practice.


i am a hygiene student and we have covered this recently, here is what i have for you:





Australia:





A work permit/Visa is necessary.


Pass a registration examination with a dental board.


Each territory has its own board responsible for licensing.


Contact the Australian Immigration Depart.:


http://www.immi.gov.au/





New Zealand:


Contact the Dental Council:


http://www.dcnz.org.nz/


Hygienists practice under 'clinical guidance' — dentist does not have to be on premises at all times for most procedures.


Contact the New Zealand Immigration Services:


http://www.mfat.govt.nz/





The United Kingdom:


(England, Scotland, Wales %26amp; N. Ireland )





Information is available at the British Dental Hygienist’ Association:


http://www.bdha.org.uk/


The General Dental Council64 Wimpole Street, London W1M 8DQ, UKTel: +44-171-887 3800 · Fax: +44-171-224 3294 · www.gdc-uk.org





Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, visit these websites:


http://www.adha.org/careerinfo/foreign_t...


http://www.ifdh.org/members.shtml......
Reply:they will have to pass the test that that country makes them take to become qualified again... or so i think..


Saturday, November 14, 2009

Should I be a dental assistant before a dental hygienist?

I am currently enrolled in college and have 2 more classes left in my prereqs. My school told me that I should have been a dental assistant for a couple of years before thinking about being a dental hygienist. When I started school almost 2 years ago they didn't say anything. Now that I am going to be applying and have a high GPA, the woman told me that they still may pick someone over me that has worked as a dental assistant. On top of it I heard from a friend that there is a 4 year waiting list for the program. Should I take my last two classes and apply for the dental hygiene program, or take a break and get experience as an assistant? Thank you!

Should I be a dental assistant before a dental hygienist?
How heartbreaking for you and totally off base. Finish what you started and don't worry about the dental assisting portion. Hygienist are much more highly revered because the job they do is totally separate and different than an assistant AND it brings in revenue to the office. Why that woman said that to you is beyond me, but any dentist would be glad to have a hygienist with a high GPA over dental assisting skills any day. Dental assistants can be trained off the street with no education and a lot of offices, unfortunately, hire assistants that have absolutely no training, the reason, money, they can pay these assistants less money. The reason you will be hired over an assistant/hygienist is because you are smart and your grade prove it. Hang in there and don't let that woman push you into something you don't want to do.


Best of luck!!! (You will be fine) :o)


P.S. I am not trying to bash assistants skills because they can be the dentists right hand and in many cases help make things run smoothly and some have oodles of training and experience. What I am trying to show you is the importance of what you have accomplished and the goal you are steering towards, don't give up.
Reply:Generalizing any one group is never a good thing. Your comments are offensive to me. My combination of technical skills along with my ability to relate to patients has made a higher paid professional than any hygienist in our practice. Report It

Reply:Your choice.
Reply:I would apply for the dental hygiene program. I was a dental assistant in college w/o any specialized training.
Reply:My advice is that since you are so close to applying to the hygiene program, go ahead and complete the course of study you are in and apply. You never know, you may be accepted right away. Even if you are not and have to wait, all your classes are completed. You can then use your waiting time to work as an assistant and have a better chance of being accepted later. I began assisting with every intention of starting study for my hygiene license, but 6 yrs later I am still an assistant because I love the variety of the work.....every hour or two is a different procedure. My 8 am patient may be for denture impressions, 9am a 6 yr old for primary tooth fillings, 10 am an emergency extraction. It's never boring! Also many hygienists suffer repetitive injuries from doing the same tasks every hour, often carpel tunnel or back injuries. Anyway, I think whatever you do, a wide variety of experience is a good thing. Many offices like for you to be able to assist sometimes,and it makes you more marketable than if you are only trained in hygiene. Good luck to you!!
Reply:Finish your last two classes and apply for the hygiene program. You have come this far, you might as well try. Strangely enough, in our area the hygiene school prefers people who have not worked in dental before. Applicants were told that they prefer to take "fresh minds" over people who think they already know. Financially, you will be better off as a hygienist. If that does not work out for you, you can always decide on something else later. So, don't give up, so close to the end. Good luck to you!

sandals

How much damage can a dental hygienist do to your mouth? I had my teeth cleaned 2 days ago and am in pain.?

I have sensitive teeth but having my teeth cleaned more frequently (once every 4 months) than normal used to help. Problems started last fall when a different dental hygienist cleaned my teeth. She was really rough and I was in pain and my gums were puffy for weeks. They weren't before the cleaning. The next time, a new dh cleaned them. She said that some of my bone was exposed and blamed me for not brushing well. I think the previous dh caused the problem. I was in so much pain that I switched from Sensodyne toothpaste, which I had used for decades, to Arm %26amp; Hammer for sensitive teeth and using mouthwash hurt too much. I wanted to postpone the last cleaning but the dentist wouldn't listen to me. This time I am in even more pain and have not been able to sleep much since the cleaning.





I think it's time to find a new dentist. Are any dentist aware of the quality of work that their dental hygienists do?

How much damage can a dental hygienist do to your mouth? I had my teeth cleaned 2 days ago and am in pain.?
It is true that after a deep cleaning your gums may be sore. Have you considered discussing this with your dentist? He knows about your individual needs and should be able to help you.


Honestly, without seeing your teeth, it is difficult to know if you had a couple of "heavy handed" dental hygienists or if you have extremely sensitive gums and major oral hygiene issues.


It may be necessary to visit a periodontist (specializing in gum disease and bone loss), have your teeth cleaned "while you sleep" (a.k.a. be sedated), or get a prescription to help with the pain.


Dentists usually know the quality of the hygienists work - especially if they listen to their patients. Let him know!


Best of luck with this. Wish I could help you more :)
Reply:I wonder how deep a cleaning this dental hygenist gave you. If you had a deep root scaling, that can leave you sore for several days. A regular cleaning might make you a bit sore and swollen if you had a lot to clean off your teeth and above your gumline. Just do your best to floss everyday, brush twice a day and keep your teeth as clean as possible until the next cleaning. Tell your hygenist how much it hurts, they have things to help with that. If it happens again, ask for a new hygenist.





If they are "blaming you" and insisting on cleanings when you don't feel like it, I would change my dentist office altogether. This is YOUR mouth and YOUR health. I hate when they get pushy like that. I've been in the same situation and I switched offices.
Reply:If you get some CoQ10 capsules and break them open then squirt the oil on your gums it will take down the swelling in a day or two. And you might consider going to your doctor for an antibiotic script. You may have gotten some bacteria into your bloodstream from a deep cleaning. I would switch dentists right away.
Reply:1st.... you don't need a new dentist. He or she cannot change what you have been diagnosed with and you know what you have. Perio Disease.





2nd ...If you are getting cleanings every 4 months YOU KNOW you have periodontal disease. I guess the questions you have to ask your self are the following.......


a) how much do you smoke? That in its self KILLS your gum tissue. You are burning your gums or gingivae


b) How often do you brush????? 3x a day? and floss regularily? like everyday????


c) Prevention is the key, and you can only point the finger at yourself if you go in every 4 months. There is reason.....


d) the hygenist CAN give you injections to numb your gums but then when she is scaling or using the water spray, you will have discomfort afterward. after the anesthetic wares off.


e) gums that are that inflamed can get infections so again, brush, floss, rinse with mouth wash and ONLY YOU CAN TURN THIS AROUND....!!!!!


e)I am afraid you have to confront your own demons by pointing the finger at yourself.


f) I really do feel for you but your gums have been in sad shape b4 you started.


g) like excersise, if you go gun hoe at first you will hurt yourself and or you will quit. but if you diet, eat right and do things in moderation you will certainly turn around and lose the weight.


h) tell your Dental Hygenist that you are very sensitive and to PLEASE HAVE SOME EMPATHY FOR YOU ........They can be gentle..........


I don't think you wanted to hear what I had to say but I hope it helps......


 
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