I am a RDH and it drives me crazy when people call me a dental assistant or assume I trained on the job! Why don’t more people realize a dental hygienist is the nurse of the dental field? I never hear someone call a RN a LPN or CNA. But I am frequently referred to as a dental assistant by people. Even my own boyfriend told friends and relatives I was a dental assistant when we started dating! I was so ticked off. I told him that’s like calling a RN a LPN!
I actually applied to an office that told me they had random people calling inquiring about the dental hygienist position stating they "were interested in changing careers and would like to try out dental hygiene"! Meaning they had no college degree in dental hygiene and no state license as a hygienist and thought they could train on the job!

Why don’t more people understand what a dental hygienist is? And does it bother you, as a dental hygienist, if someone refers to you as a dental assistant?
The only reason it upsets me is because the education level from an assistant to a hygienist is completely different. It was the hardest program to get into and to complete. And being called an assistant makes all that grueling education feel meaningless to me if I am not recognized for it.
I am looking for how dental hygienists feel only about this issue. Clearly the first person who answered doesn’t know a hygienist and is not a hygienist if they don’t understand how I feel. I am sure it bothers their friends who are called nurses when they are doctors. Maybe the friends don’t tell you how much it bothers them but believe me it doesn’t just roll off their back.

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what do they do and how much education do they need? whats the difference between an x-ray tech and a radiological tech? or are they the same thing? are guys dental hygienist too or is it mainly for girls? im a senior in highschool and im string my last half of my school yr and im looking into careers and iwant one with an associates degree b/c i only want to go to school for 2 yrs +training for the the job if needed. HELP!

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I have a wisdum teeth that is bothers me and, I had xrays taken and they say that I need to have it extract by a surgergy…I need help I’m out of a job now and dont have mouch money.

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I have started my brace with an orthodontic with an insurance company. A year later, I changed job and get a new dental insurance. I wonder if i can use a new dental plan with this orthodontic. Any suggestion would be appreciated. Thank you in advance, everyone.

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I took a dental radiation safety course and there is a registration number on the certificate but I dont know how to tell if Im licensed to take x-rays when I get a job?

does anyone know where I can go to check if I am?

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I’m thinking about going to school for dental Hygiene but have heard that its hard to get a job especially with the economy. I am married and would like a job with benefits and decent pay. What is it like to be in this career? How is the schooling for it? Sorry for so many questions I am just trying to figure out what I want to do!

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I’m just wondering if people in these fields could let me know what they like/dont like about their job
and what you think would be better!

any tips/thoughts/suggestions/opinions!
the third career i was thinking of is an event coordinator for a major company!

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My dad has a couple teeth that need to be pulled and he needs dentures so bad. He is in horrible pain and can barely eat. His work does not offer dental insurance. I’ve looked for dental plans that regular ol’ hard working people can sign up for and I’m not finding much, they kinda look like a scam from what I’ve found. We live in Oregon – and of coarse because he actually has a job…theres nothing that oregon state health people can do. Which is kinda F’d up!!! They said if he wants help – he has to quit his job and apply for state assistance!!! I need suggestions on what to do – please!!!!

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The last time I went to the dentist they said that if I didn’t start brushing really good that I could develop gum disease. Tomorrow is my next appointment and unfortunately I haven’t done that good of a job. For the past week or so I’ve been brushing my gums really good but they hurt a lot. Do I have to worry a bunch about it? Can it be reversed if I brush a lot more? What will they most likely do?

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I lost my job a while back and do not have insurance now.

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