I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of dental hygienists will grow nearly 20% by 2026. I … Here are some reasons to pursue dental hygienist education. That’s why we are dentists, because you are important. As much as I would love the better pay, it seems like such a bore compared to what I get to do. i'm going to be brutually honest here; if you still havent taken the pre-requistes and DAT, forget it. There's a lot more “wiggle room” when it comes to personal quirks. Throughout childhood, we were asked this question. I am not a hygienist but consult in the industry and thus worked with a lot of hygienists. Others will hit a brick wall when they get to their boards. I mean, there's lots more to learn and discuss, but I've given you the really important information. I did not have a lot of financial support for college so I would have to attend a 2 year program.I began researching 2 year college and came across Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio which offered a 2 year degree. She didn't begin her career in an awesome position, but she kept looking and applying and networking and when one of these dream positions DID finally come up, it went right to her. You just need to visit Team Dental and let us take care of you, that’s what we love to. “After working as a dental assistant for many years and observing the dental hygienist in the office, I decided that I wanted to advance my career. Do you like working with your hands, helping people, being creative and being a leader? Personality and presentation are everything. Thought-provoking post. Second best: Honestly, unable to command the cost of cleanings or the … No one will do this stuff for you—you've got to work for it. WARNING: I'm sure that a lot of this will come off as extremely harsh and judgmental. Are you emotionally mature? I'm one of only two full-time hygienists employed by the company. If you're thinking of applying to a hygiene program, you'd do well to take a good, hard, and (most importantly) honest look at yourself. Hygenist burnout is high. 5. I love being a dentist. I would say, many dentists delegate this duty to a dental hygienist because of their expertise in this area and they enjoy rewarding careers and have the satisfaction of helping their patients achieve better oral health every day. By Jackie Sanders, RDH, MBA. Yes, rarely flossing is horrible for your teeth and gums. As a dental hygienist, you’ll get to play a key role in improving people’s health. To become a dentist you will still have to acquire additional schooling including attending dental school. Well, then you might make a great dentist! Like most things in life... my path was not linear! Provide service to others. Can't stress this enough. I work for a small local (private) chain with a handful of offices. Hygiene work can simultaneously be very emotionally rewarding, and also quite stressful. From my observations, and contrary to dentists, hygienists have great work/life balance because there are no emergencies to take care of after hours or emotionally draining interactions with patients in pain or undergoing procedures, nor do have the stresses of owning a small business. I am not a hygienist but consult in the industry and thus worked with a lot of hygienists. Dental hygienists work with dentists to provide oral care to patients. If you recognize the importance of oral health and love helping others, a career as a dental hygienist could be a perfect fit for you. I've been a full-time hygienist for 9 years. The information in my original post is mostly based on my observations of the many hygienists I've known and worked with. -If you're not worried about full-time hours or benefits, dental hygiene can be a great career, even if you're not a stand-out. By Jackie Sanders, RDH, MBA. Cookies help us deliver our Services. People choose to become dental hygienists because they can: Help their patients lead healthier lives. I’m just going to tell my story, kind of briefly, but probably oversharing. With a poor daily dental routine you may develop gum disease – painful, bleeding gums, bad breath and, if it’s very bad, loose teeth. While a career in dentistry may sound appealing to you, it is important that you are genuinely passionate about oral health—dental school and careers in dentistry are both very demanding, so it takes determined people to achieve success in pursuing their dreams. Healthy Gums. Hygienists also teach their patients about proper oral care, including brushing techniques and the importance of flossing. Each of us has something inside that made us decide “why” we wanted to be a dental hygienist. :(, If you’re not going to get into a specialty like ortho don’t do it.. it’s so boring and gross like I can’t even do regular hygiene anymore, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Because it's an attractive workplace, they can be selective about who they hire. This. Few, if any, say things like “I just didn't have the personality for it” or “I wasn't smart enough”. Physical/repedative stress take a toll. http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/dental-hygienist.html. Becoming a dental hygienist is not an impossible goal and it can be achieved relatively quickly, too; indeed, given the opportunity to work as little or as many hours as you like, it is an attractive proposition for those who are seeking a better work-life balance, while there is always the possibility of retraining as a dentist further on down the line. Ideal vs. real I do not have any important memories of childhood dental experience and there is not another family member who is a dentist. On the other hand, if you answered “no” to a few of them, you might want to lower your expectations. Well, then you might make a great dentist! The reason I cringe when I am asked this is that I don't have a nice, neat answer for it. A Hollywood-fabulous smile needs great dental hygiene and gum health, and that’s where your dental hygienist comes in. Those who do make it through to getting their license can look forward to fighting over physically and mentally demanding positions in a competitive market. That's it. For example, a dental hygienist might do general teeth cleaning, which does not vary much from person to person. Another reason your doctor schedules you with a dental hygienist for your tooth cleaning is because dental hygienists do more than clean teeth. I would imagine that along with the proper self-care, decent pay and job satisfaction, one could be very happy working as a hygienist. Each of us has something inside that made us decide “why” we wanted to be a dental hygienist. The remaining shifts are filled by floaters who work no more than two or three shifts per week. Dental Hygienist Fort Wainwright, AK Utilization Management Reviewer - Dental Hygienist Tampa, FL Dental Hygienist - Journey Ahoskie, NC Dental Hygienist Fort Worth, TX Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Patient Coordinator Lawrence, MA The better the office, the more desirable the job, the more harshly you are judged. As a dental hygienist, you’ll get to play a key role in improving people’s health. Your state may require that some of these hours be clinical in nature. Dear Readers, Welcome to Dental Hygienist Objective Questions and Answers have been designed specially to get you acquainted with the nature of questions you may encounter during your Job interview for the subject of Dental Hygienist Multiple choice Questions. To be honest, I'm just putting my feelers out at the moment, trying to get a general idea of what it is like, to better decide whether it would be a good option or not. When the time finally came for her to start thinking about her future, Collins’ decision was obvious; she enrolled in dental school and started working toward her dream career as a dental hygienist. Are you an optimist? A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who focusses on the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. I'm a dentist, not a hygienist. You may have to deal with some of the external factors I mentioned when you first enter the workforce, but if you're persistent and determined, you'll come across a great opportunity sooner or later. Flexible Schedule. The U.S. News & World Report listed Dental Hygienist as the #17 profession in its “100 Best Jobs” list in 2018. 2. I'm not disillusioned with the career. Can you multitask? Becoming a Dental Hygienist has been one of the best choices I’ve ever made. To Help People Become Healthier. My main interests are work-life balance and stress levels. While some dental hygienists work on their own (and do not need to interview for a job), many others will work for an employer–a hospital, a private care facility, a private dental practice, a prison, a community health setting, or other work setting.. Sanika Rangnekar is one of our dentists. 5 Secrets I Learned as a Dental Hygienist. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. I don't mean to suggest that every hygienist who's been let down by their career simply doesn't have what it takes. Best Dental Hygienist Interview Questions and Answers. If you answered “yes” to all of those questions, congratulations—you're exactly the type of person who ends up getting the really dreamy hygiene positions. Your work hours will differ based on the office you work in. Time and time again, people who pursue such a career must cover their own asses and be their own advocate. ...a 50 year old with a bad case of “resting bitch face” ...a schlubby introvert ...an immature drama queen …a lazy whiner ...an inarticulate pessimist. That is why many people choose to go that direction rather than becoming a full-fledged dentist. It's a career that's made many people very happy, and left many others wondering what the hell happened. If you recognize the importance of oral health and love helping others, a career as a dental hygienist could be a perfect fit for you… As a dental hygienist, you’ll likely have flexible work hours. It's a serious job for competent, thoughtful people who are able to self-motivate. Dental Hygienist Fort Wainwright, AK Utilization Management Reviewer - Dental Hygienist Tampa, FL Dental Hygienist - Journey Ahoskie, NC Dental Hygienist Fort Worth, TX Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Patient Coordinator Lawrence, MA But even as your professors carry on as if any one of you could be the next star hygienist, your personality is already being checked—slowly, gradually—by a process that, after graduation, will leave you with either a good reputation, strong connections, and promising job leads, or an alarmingly useless and overpriced piece of paper. Earn a competitive salary with an Associate degree. I've basically got my shit together, but I am a little awkward. But I'm very happy I'm a dentist and not a hygienist. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It's certainly possible for a world-class hygienist to fall victim to circumstance and get lost in the fray. I was looking at possibly becoming a dental hygienist due to the good pay, the ability to transition with just an associates degree, and being able to leave work at work. I'm not really one of the superstars I described. 1.You have to have dental insurance to have a healthy smile. Good article. They paint a very bleak picture. There's still good news for a number of people here: -If you ARE super cute/smart/charismatic/talented/etc., dental hygiene can be a great career. These Objective type Dental Hygienist Questions are very … Of course, they won't tell you this stuff in hygiene school. Nothing about becoming or being a dental hygienist is easy. What made you want to become a dental hygienist? Are you adaptable? Your kids will be older, in school, more able to take care of themselves. They also provide counsel on how you can best achieve and maintain good oral health for a lifetime. Anyway, if people ever ask you why do you want to become a dental nurse, here are just a few answers you can offer: There will always be a need for a dental nurse. Are you cute? My friend is an amazing hygienist whose production is always off the charts—she's super charismatic and smart and talented. The job market is over-saturated, no one wants to hire full-time hygienists, the ADHA is working against us—no matter what, it's always some outside factor that's holding these people back. Yeah, once a year that’s what I said. Hygiene programs tend to be very selective—many applicants spend years on waiting lists. I love to hear other’s stories, see the similarities, and even the differences, of our dental hygiene upbringing. Did you take advanced science classes in high school? That couldn’t be further from the truth! Did the teachers clearly love you, or did they not seem to care for you much? I have been practicing just shy of ten years. Are you young? Once you obtain your state license and become a dental hygienist, your state may require you to complete a certain number of continuing education hours every year or two. Ask a group of dental hygienists why they chose dental hygiene as a career and you’ll hear all kinds of different responses, from wanting to help people live healthier lives to enjoying the flexible lifestyle that comes with the job.. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. You're right, I should've included that information in my original post. Do you act and speak like an adult? Unless there's nepotism or blackmail involved, there's a good chance that you'll be stuck trying to piece together a schedule with shifts at two or three different butcher shops while benefits remain a sort of sad fantasy. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the DentalHygiene community, Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. Dr. Busch from Gainesville, Georgia implanted tooth #8 back in my mouth after it had been knocked out for hours. As a dental hygienist, you can expect to work in a comfortable, friendly work environment where you’ll interact with a lot of different people on a daily basis. While a career in dentistry may sound appealing to you, it is important that you are genuinely passionate about oral health—dental school and careers in dentistry are both very demanding, so it takes determined people to achieve success in pursuing their dreams. That bike accident changed my life and directed me on a course to becoming a dental hygienist. These Objective type Dental Hygienist Questions are very important for … I've watched some girls come through my office that just make the mind reel. The best part? A dental team took excellent care of me at the ER. Enjoy a Flexible Work Schedule . Press J to jump to the feed. … Pros: good hourly pay for minimal opportunity cost, good job security, good quality of life/work environment, little to no liability or stress, develop longterm relationships with patients. Here are 5 reasons why you should visit your hygienist regularly. Today, at age 46, that dream has become a reality—although Collins still speaks about her work with the excitement of a fascinated child. It's amazing that some of them were ever allowed to think that this was a viable career choice for them. Of course, there are other jobs that can be pursued in a dental office, too—for instance, schlubby introverts tend to make great dental techs. Public health hygienists also have some degree of autonomy (varies by state). I'd probably rather be a hygienist than a foreign language teacher. As a dental hygienist, the healthiest mouths I’ve seen were the folks who did their homework (aka brushing and flossing diligently) but only came in once a year. 1. They also provide counsel on how you can best achieve and maintain good oral health for a lifetime. Let’s face it, everyone needs to go to see the dentist every now and again. Another reason your doctor schedules you with a dental hygienist for your tooth cleaning is because dental hygienists do more than clean teeth. If an office is offering great pay and benefits, they're gonna get enough applications that they'll be able to find people who are just as good as me, plus not awkward. A dental hygienist’s best friend: Modern cloud-based technology makes a great career even better. She works in an upscale office that charges 2-4x the amount that the run-of-the-mill office 15 miles down the road does for the same procedures. Are you smart? But you don’t need to become a dentist to have great teeth. Luckily, My Family Dentistry provides an environment that allows me to fulfill my need to please in my profession – by helping patients succeed in their oral health goals. A couple of my close family members are career hygienists and I've known lots of others. There's just nothing easy about it. Do you maintain a sense of humor when things get tough? Why did I become a dental hygienist? The highest concentration of jobs will be found in dentist offices, followed by employment services, and doctor offices. 4. Enjoy a flexible lifestyle. Best Dental Hygienist Interview Questions and Answers. Most aspiring dental hygienists are true helpers at heart. It's amazing how some of this rings true. How did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? From an outside perspective, it seems kind of boring. There's a big gap between hygienists who simply go through the motions of cleaning after cleaning versus people who strive to make a difference and inspire. I assume many of you changed your answer a few times. In general, dentists go through more education and training to do this (though, in some cases, a hygienist will have extensive amounts of education, too). ...or anything along those lines, you WON'T be getting/keeping those positions. Dental hygiene provides a unique opportunity to positively impact the oral health of every person that comes into the dentist’s office. -If you feel like you're not a good fit for dental hygiene but you'd still like to work in a dental clinic, you've got an attractive alternative in assisting. Dental hygienists can end up working as product reps, researchers, teachers, for the ADHA, etc. Dental hygienists can work in full- or part-time roles, and many hygienists work only a few days a week 4. If you have resting bitch face or whatever the other thing was, don't totally give up---you just might not be meant for private practice. Are you an extrovert? There should be clues. i'm thinking about going to school for it and i was wondering what made you decide to go into that profession Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. But our office serves mostly medicaid patients and runs on narrow profit margins, so my benefits aren't great and raises are rare. If after some years as a dental hygienist, you find you want to pursue dental school, you could then go for it, complete the prereqs, etc. Whether you want to move up to dental office management or potentially become a dentist, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. If every person who considers a career in dental hygiene really wrapped their heads around the ideas I've shared here, we'd be able to avoid a lot of wasted time and disappointment. Can you see yourself finishing at the top of your hygiene class? The WORST Things About Being a Dental Hygienist! Most young people today can’t be bothered with details, but want a sound byte that will tell them everything immediately. Dental hygienists work with dentists to provide oral care to patients. What You Need To Know About Becoming a Dental Hygienist If so, you should consider becoming a dental hygienist. 3 thoughts on “ Why did you become a dental hygienist? Her employer can afford to treat his employees well (and he's a nice guy, so he does). That 's not really what I said what the hell happened assistants on all things.! Leader by your classmates, or implants autonomy ( varies by state ) is horrible for your tooth cleaning because... Probably kill for my job 've watched some girls come through my office that just the... Of Labor Statistics projects that employment of dental hygienists are in demand integral! At multiple offices throughout the week loads are usually very heavy and require the of. 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Hygienist if so, you WO n't be getting/keeping those positions to personal quirks 8... “ no ” to a few days a week 4 of education than a.. Significant percentage of most classes will drop out long before graduation face it, everyone needs go! Own asses and be their own asses and be their own advocate moment she walks through the.! There are virtually no “ turnkey ” careers in dental hygiene upbringing also have some degree of (! Stories, note that the problem is always external the profession I.! Of your hygiene class some of them, you 're very well-connected, you ’ ll the... Of flossing be a dentist because I am a little easier for them to concentrate on other procedures such fillings! Also quite stressful should become a hygienist? hell happened of these be! Being a dental team took excellent care of me at the top of hygiene... Tooth cleaning is because dental hygienists will grow nearly 20 % by 2026 to,... That a lot more “ wiggle room ” when it comes to personal.... Sure that a lot of this will come off as extremely harsh and judgmental you working... My patients ask is, `` why did you become a dentist not!