ALT-2 How to become an Oral Hygienist
An oral hygienist is a professional in the dental field who performs multiple duties in the dental office and has frequent contact with patients. In fact, the dental hygienist may spend more time with the dental patient than the dentist. The oral hygienist must complete training and achieve certification in the field. For someone interested in becoming an oral hygienist, it is not only important to successfully complete education at a reputable college but to know the job outlook and the best options for career-oriented employment.
The oral hygienist must complete educational requirements
Dentalhygenists.com saysthat the “most common dental hygienist requirement for attaining a dental hygiene degree is two years of dental hygienist education.” Degrees for those wanting to achieve an education for becoming an oral hygienist may be attained at many community colleges as well as training programs and specialized oral hygienist schools.
It is required that the oral hygienist must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program and obtain licensure in the state the dental hygienist wishes to practice in. Therefore it is crucial that the prospective oral hygienist carefully research a oral hygiene program to make sure the program and the school is accredited. There are many scam programs and schools that while legitimate educational institutions, are not accredited. Without graduation and certification from an accredited program and educational program, the oral hygienist student may discover all too late that the money, time and classes were a waste because the oral hygienist program was not accredited. Therefore the person cannot be hired as an oral hygienist.
Dentalhygienist.org explainsthat according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “there were approximately 301 dental hygiene programs in the United States that have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.” For employment in a private dental office, an associate’s degree may be sufficient. For the person who wants to broaden his or her career opportunities in the field of oral hygiene, an advanced degree or additional training is necessary.The American Dental Hygienist's Associationalso offers several opportunites for continuing education so the oral hygienist can stay informed on the latest care, treatment and empowerment to go further in the field.
An oral hygienist performs a wide variety of clinical duties
The American Dental Education Association says thatthe oral hygienist “assesses the patient’s oral tissues and overall health determining the presence or absence of disease, other abnormalities and disease risks.” The oral hygienist also develops treatment plans and performs procedures as indicated in the treatment plan that are within the scope of practice of the oral hygienist. This may include cleaning teeth, applying sealants, performing x-rays, removing sutures, administering dressings, and inserting temporary fillings. Additional duties can be performed according to each state’s guidelines. The oral hygienist will also provide patient education on proper dental care.
Other skills outside of clinical are imperative
Because the oral hygienist is often the first person the patient sees when called back to a room during an appointment, it is crucial that the oral hygienist have exceptional interpersonal skills. The oral hygienist must display a friendly demeanor, willing to smile and make the patient feel at ease. If the oral hygienist displays an attitude that the patient is just there to be rushed in and rushed out and is not willing to even smile and make the patient feel welcome, the patient may experience even more anxiety than many patients experience when visiting the dentist.
The oral hygienist must have excellent listening skills. To make the patient feel that his or her concerns will be addressed, the oral hygienist must demonstrate that he or she is listening to everything the patient says. Asking the patient questions such as when the problem started, what the symptoms are and giving reassurance that the patient’s dental needs will be met will enable the patient to feel more comfortable in the dentist office chair.
Being a role model is important in order for the oral hygienist to convey good oral health lessons to the patient. Even if the oral hygienist is a chocoholic, it is important not to be eating that extra large chocolate bar with cookie bits. Unhealthy snack items should not be anywhere that the patient can see them. It will be better to only indulge in healthy snacking or meals when the oral hygienist is at work. This also includes drinking only healthy beverages such as vitamin waters or healthy juices rather than sugary drinks that can cause poor dental health.
The job outlook may influence oral hygiene career decisions
The prospective job growth and salary range may influence an individual’s decision to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. TheBureau of Labor Statistics indicatesthat the annual mean salary for oral hygienists in 2010 was $68,250. Oral hygienist jobs are expected to grow by 38% from 2010 to 2022. This is designated by the BLS as “much faster than the average for all occupations.”
The oral hygienist performs important clinical and preventative services to patients in a variety of dental treatment settings. The educational requirements for a career as an oral hygienist requires a degree and licensure from an accredited college or dental educational program. Along with clinical knowledge and skills, the oral hygienist must possess excellent interpersonal skills when in contact with patients and other professionals. With the excellent salary and job outlook, a career as an oral hygienist may be a career path that many individuals seeking career-oriented employment may wish to pursue.
