Getting Into The Career Of A Dental Hygienist

By Susan Bean


If you are thinking of becoming a dental hygienist you will know that there are lots dental duties that they will have to do but this will vary from state to state. Even so their duties still include cleaning patient teeth and showing them the correct dental care procedures.

in order for you to get a chance to get work in a dental office you will have to earn an associate's degree. If you want to try to work in a public medical program or a school you will need to have a bachelor degree. During your high school year you will have to take notice in subjects like biology, mathematics, and chemistry.

If you want to know more you can get in contact with a local hygienist that can give you a little insight on this type of career. You can ask for permission to observe and interview them and see if this something that you want to invest your future in.

Some more resources include down-loadable programs from the ADA's website along with other listed information. The first thing you should take note of is all the schools that are accredited and which have the courses that you will need to get your degree.

Even when you are in your mid high school years you can request catalogs before your graduating year which will show you what you can expect to experience in this type of career. Some of the classes that you may take include nutrition, microbiology, physiology, chemistry, anatomy and pathology.

The final process requires you to pass two sets of exams but before you can even get to that point you will have to graduate. In order to graduate you will need to dedicate at least two years or more in a technical or community college.

This should be done after you have completed you dental program but you may also have to take another examination on the legal rules and regulations of this career. You should check with your local state licensing program to set up a testing date.

The testing procedure will vary depending on your state because this kind of job will require you to take great care when you are dealing with dental tools. When you take the written section of the test it will be given by the American Dental Association Joint Commission. The official clinical exam will be given by you state board which is in charge of licensing.

You should take note that there will be licensing fees that will also be different in each state so be sure to check all the requirements and acceptable payments. When you finally pass your test you can try and join the American dental Association. The dues for membership may vary but you may also be able to receive a waiver as well.

This is the time you will actually start looking for offices to work for. There are a lot of hygienists that work part time at different offices but this is great because they have very flexible working hours with great benefits and pay. This a great way for many to earn a decent living while also getting the free time to enjoy it.




About the Author: