Dental Hygine Career

Those looking to enter the field of dentistry and have a dental hygine career will be entering a profession that is growing fast. The starting salary for a dental hygienist is typically around $45,000. But you should also be aware of potential drawbacks to a dental hygienist career.

Possible Drawbacks to a Dental Hygine Career

After a couple of years, it can become pretty boring staring into the open mouths of patients everyday - some dental hygienist simply can't stand the boredom and eventually leave the profession. A dental hygienist does receive regular raises, consistent with his or her years of experience. But there's really no career advancement beyond being a dental hygienist.

Some dental hygienists also experience back problems due to  the long hours of bending over patients. Others experience symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome from the repetitive actions that they perform. Get a group of dental hygienist together and you'll hear many tales of visiting a chiropractor or physical therapist to help alleviate some of the pain.

Education Requirements

To find a successful career in dentistry, without becoming a dentist, there are dental hygiene schools that can prepare you for a career to provide educational and therapeutic services to the public. A thorough educational background is required to become a licensed hygienist, and the training while not tantamount to a four or six-year stint in college or medical school, does require training at one of the accredited dental hygiene schools in the country.

Many dental hygiene schools offer three essential types of educational programs, including a two-year program that awards successful graduates with a diploma, certificate or an associate degree. They also offer a four-year baccalaureate program as well as a master's degree program for those interested in education, administration or even research. The type of program chosen will be determined by the student's long-range career goals.

There are certain requirements necessary to gain entry into dental hygiene schools including a high school diploma with completed courses in math, chemistry, biology and English. Prospective students will also have to have taken college entrance exams and have maintained a  C' average in high school. Many of dental hygiene schools also require a personal interview among other possible testing procedures. They also must be at least 18 years of age at the time of enrollment.

The majority of states have similar requirements and all have a test, which the graduates must pass in order to receive their license. The number of instructional hours required prior to taking the exam may vary by state, but that's normally not a problem as most dental hygiene schools will easily exceed the required number of hours.

When all is said and done,  you'll spend almost 2,000 hours of class time in the dental hygiene schools that will include nearly 600 hours of supervised clinical dental hygiene instruction. Microbiology, radiography and biochemistry are some of the courses that will be presented in dental hygiene schools to prepare students for their chosen occupation. Additionally, students receive instruction on dental emergencies such as life support as well as the legal and ethical challenges seen from the dental point of view.

Clear Dental Wax
Dentists use clear dental wax for many purposes. When they install braces in a patient, they use clear dental wax as a barrier to separate them from the lips and cheek.

Metlife Dental Insurance
Metlife dental insurance is available to federal employees having been awarded a contract by the Office of Personnel Management.

Dental
You only get two sets of teeth in your life, so you better take good dental care of them or you'll have lifelong eating and nutritional problems.