I believe as dental hygienists we do far too much mental and physical work to go without proper breaks or lunches. Unfortunately, very little attention has been given to the stressors of the job.
Do not settle for anything less than you deserve. There are offices out there that have more flexible schedules and an understanding for the profession.
For many like myself, this was the first time I had a real paycheck in my hand—signed and addressed with my name on it. I had a feeling of pure accomplishment. Where can I spend this money? And how fast? Adulting is expensive; between student loans, car payments and rent, you will soon realize how little is left over for fun. Ultimately, my advice to you is to treat yourself first, but modestly.
Set a budget for your monthly expenses and know your limits. I hope these little tidbits of advice can be of use to any students getting ready to graduate, going through the interview process, or even navigating your own new dental hygiene job. Keep on saving smiles. As a working dental hygienist in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Alana strives to always provide her clients with the highest level of care, ensuring that each experience is stress free and relaxing.
With a millennial mentality, Alana is eager to share an inside look into this new chapter of life through her Instagram page. Check her out: IG toothfluencer. Sign up to receive the Oral Hygiene monthly e-newsletter! Gread advice Alana. Just as there are doctors and nurses in hospitals, in dental practices you have dentists and dental hygienists.
Understanding what each person does can help you feel more comfortable during your next appointment. We take a look at the difference between the dentist and the dental hygienist and what you should expect from both.
Dentists What is a Dentist? A dentist is a physician whose practice is in the field of dentistry. This involves the mouth, teeth, gums and related areas. Some studies have shown that diseases relating to the teeth and gums can be indicative or indicators of some health issues. The health of the mouth is essential to the general overall health of the body and a dentist will encourage and assist their patients in maintaining a healthy mouth by regular cleaning and check-ups.
What does a Dentist do? That job is left to dentists, who then come up with a plan for prioritizing treatment and guiding the patient to achieving their oral health goals. Another big difference between dentists and hygienists is specialization. They provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to people regarding their dental care and oral hygiene.
Each state has its own regulations regarding the responsibilities of dental hygienists, and so the range of services they perform vary. In addition to administering oral hygiene care to patients, they also:. Becoming a dental hygienist requires going to school, clinical training with patients, and passing exams. School - Dental hygienist programs are offered at community colleges, technical colleges, dental schools, and universities.
Most community college programs take at least two years to complete and result in an associate degree. University-based dental hygiene programs generally require at least two more years of study. They tend to result in a baccalaureate or master's degree, which may be needed for a career in teaching, public health, and management roles in the industry.
Dental hygiene education programs also require clinical education, which involves supervised patient care. Each school must undergo a specific process to train its students in performing preventative dental care safely properly. Believe it or not, there are several hundred schools in the U. Dental hygienists are licensed by the state, like teachers. Almost all states require that dental hygienists graduate from a Commission on Dental Education-accredited education program. They also require passing the state-authorized licensure examination, which tests clinical dental hygiene skills and dental hygiene knowledge.
Once you receive a license, you can start adding "RDH" after your name. These three letters show that you're officially a Registered Dental Hygienist.
So, now you know what it takes to become a dental hygienist. Before any dental work is done by either the hygienist or the dentist, the hygienist must conduct a medical history.
This review is a critical tool that hygienists use to:. The information gathered during this history will be used by the hygienist and dentist and inform the patient of a personalized dental treatment plan. In addition to collecting a dental health history, hygienists also actively screen patients for tooth decay and oral disease prior to the dentist performing any work.
Dental x-rays play a pivotal role in preventative care. Hygienists take these x-rays so that they can spot problems in the early stages, and treat them before they have a chance to develop into more serious issues. Dental x-rays can also help the dentist detect cavities, gum disease, oral infections, and even some types of tumors.
How often x-rays are performed will vary from patient to patient based on their dental health, whether or not they exhibit signs of dental problems, their age, and their risk for oral disease. After performing the cleaning, hygienists take a more proactive approach by educating the patient in preventive oral care.
Precautionary treatments like fluoride and sealant application play an important role in promoting dental health between appointments. Fluoride treatments are important because fluoride strengthens teeth and fortifies them against acid erosion.
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