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For those looking at becoming a Dental Hygienist, it is an excellent field to be in, as being a hygienist or even a Dental Assistant can be very rewarding. It offers flexibility and good pay. In many cases you can work part time, full time and create a schedule that works both for you and for the dental office that you are a staff member of.
Each dental hygienist training program differs but most require you to have completed high school and some college. Some programs insist that the applicant wait a full year after college graduation to enroll as a dental hygienist student.
Dental hygienists, not dentists, are often the ones who will clean a patient's teeth during a routine cleaning and they remove deposits of soft material and plaque, which can cause tooth problems as well as gum disease. They often assist the dentist in preparing lab tests and do X-rays of a patient's mouth.
It is the job of the dental hygienist to talk with and educate the dental patient about the proper ways of brushing and using dental floss as preventative measures against tooth decay, tooth disease and gum problems. They may also recommend certain types of toothbrushes or an electric toothbrush or suggest using sensodyne toothpaste.
As with any lucrative and exciting career, there is a lot of work and study before you enter the profession. When you become eligible, you must begin by enrolling at a dental hygienist school, or, in some cases, you may begin your studies online, via the internet. There are some good online programs but they do not have the training necessary to train you in how to perform the procedures that you must do in a clinical exam. There are several hundred of approved courses throughout the US and those are approved and accredited by the American Dental Association. There are written and clinical exams which you must take and pass.
Another requirement is that you must get your dental hygienist license in the state you intend to practice in. But first you must get your certification.
There are many two year programs but there are also those that get a bachelor's degree with a four year program. Both are fine but sometimes it may be an advantage to have the four year degree over those who have come from a two year program.
In general a good dental hygienist can earn about $30.00 an hour or around $60,000 a year full time. Most tend to work part time with flexible hours and they also usually have very good dental and medical benefits as well.