I always thought I would do nursing because i'm smart, inquisitive and love school (especially biology and sciences) however, i see now more than ever that nurses have it really tough. Yes they always have a job but they have to deal with gross stuff and work long and weird hours! I was picturing a 9-5 doctors office type job. Now I'm thinking about doing the dental hygenist because that seems like fun and you get paid about the same. Just wondering, do they get benefits (the dental hygenists?) Also is there that jobb versitile? could i go to school and get my bachelors degree in it? I love school and want to get at least my bachelors in whatever i do and i thought dental hygenists only got their associates? please help!
Should I become a dental hygenist or a nurse? I just cannot decide?
You also need to be very caring and loving and not be in it just for the money. ANY career in the health field is demanding. Yes, there are BA programs for hygenists, but you need to ask yourself this question: will it gross you out to have to scrape plaque, tartar and calculus off of teeth? Will it gross you out to have to suction blood out of patient's mouths, or that you will be exposing yourself to HIV, Hepatitis and a whole lot of other doozies as well? Dental hygenists don't hold jobs that are for the faint of heart. As an RN, you CAN in fact work in a doctor's office. It will all come down to your preference.
Reply:I passed the entrance exam for both the dental hygiene and nursing programs in my school...so that left me with a very tough choice! I was planning on just going into whichever program I got into based on the exam... I chose dental hygiene because:
-the hours are not as crazy as nursing... although you can get a job in a doctor's office they usually make far less money than nurses who work in hospitals.
-The educational aspect was very similar for each program. Heavily based in the sciences, which is interesting to me
-I have always had a fascination with pretty teeth and considered personal dental hygiene important even before deciding that's what i wanted to make my career.
I went to payscale.com and entered the info requested for both nursing and hygiene. The starting pay is actualy greater in my area for hygienists.... and if you look at the average pays, they're just about the same. Remember that the average pay collects data from everyone.... most nurses work overtime, most hygienists work part time. Therefore, I thought, the hygenists were working less hours for the same amount of money!
Some dental practices do offer health benefits, but if the hygienist is working less that 30 hours a week, most don't.
Both jobs involved a high paced, people oriented environment where you needed to be able to function under (possibly) stressful situations... so what it ultimately came down to for me was that I would rather be removing calculus form someone's teeth at 1PM than inserting a catheter or cleaning up vomit at 3AM!
I still wonder what life would have been like as a nurse.... I bet I woulda loved it! But I wouldn't change my decision if I had to do it again. I loved hygiene school, and I love being a hygienist. But god bless all the nurses working crazy hours.... without them, hospitals couldn't function!
fitness shoes
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Should I become a dental hygenist or a nurse? I just cannot decide?
I always thought I would do nursing because i'm smart, inquisitive and love school (especially biology and sciences) however, i see now more than ever that nurses have it really tough. Yes they always have a job but they have to deal with gross stuff and work long and weird hours! I was picturing a 9-5 doctors office type job. Now I'm thinking about doing the dental hygenist because that seems like fun and you get paid about the same. Just wondering, do they get benefits (the dental hygenists?) Also is there that jobb versitile? could i go to school and get my bachelors degree in it? I love school and want to get at least my bachelors in whatever i do and i thought dental hygenists only got their associates? please help!
Should I become a dental hygenist or a nurse? I just cannot decide?
do whichever one you like more
Reply:this is a profession to go into you will enjoy it.
Reply:Sounds like you are leaning towards the dental hygenist job. I would take that. Nurses do have it tough. They need to be selfless and not squeemish and they often work long long hours. I know a nurse that worked a 26 hour shift once, NO BREAKS besides to go to the bathroom. She must constantly sip coffee or something.
Reply:You should defiantly be a dental hygienist; i go to community college and every single girl in that school is going for nursing! good god do something that actually uses your brain, and if you talk to nurses they all plan on doing something else with their life and never do! its just pathetic
Reply:It really depends on where you are in your life and how much time you are willing to commit to the profession. One of my sisters is currently finishing dental hygenist school while the other graduated with an B.S. in Nursing. Dental hygenie from what I understand only recieves an assc. b/c its a 2 yr. program usually from community college ( you would have to check the indiv. schools in your area). After that it is like nursing where you have to be accepted into the actual program and then clinicals and what not. As far as benifts it would seem to me, and from what my sister has told me that it depends on the indiv. doctor you would be working with rather then nursing where you could be working for a hospital with comp. benifts packages. All in all, do some research and go talk to the colleges in your area to see if they can give you more information into the programs you have an interest in.
Reply:Here's a thought:
Go to nursing school and get your RN degree. Then go to anesthesia school and become an anesthetist. It's a far better field than nursing or dental hygiene.
Reply:This truely is a personal decision. While being face with the same type of choice, I looked at all of my options and what each career choice would mean for me. Since I had been out of school for more than 7 years, all of my science classes had to be completed again; it was during this time that I started to check into my options.
I am 35+ with 4 kids (three younger) and a full time going nowhere job. I already have my degree in business and accounting- but I cannot stand sitting behind a desk all day long. After 15 years doing this type of work I am going crazy.
When I started my adventure, I looked not only into nursing and dental hygiene, but programs for rad techs and respiratory therapy too. I asked current students in these programs, students in my science classes- instructors; anyone I could get to listen and answer questions for me. I found recent graduates to be a great area of knowledge. By checking the local community colleges web sites to completely understand my prerequesit requirements, I was able to navigate myself into getting everything that I needed.
After gathering my information together and realizing that I not only wanted a career in the medical industry, but that I wanted a career with flexibility and decent hours; I chose the dental hygienist route.
But this was based on my personal needs, nursing, rad tech and respiratory therapy all had the potential to work afternoons and nights; I have homework to do with the kids- so this would not work out as well. Not to mention they are getting invoved in more extracricular activities and I would like to be able to see them in action.
I got my letter of acceptance into the dental hygienist program and start in May. Your hard work and dedication will pay off no matter which choice you make.
Good Luck with your choice, both of these careers are great to look into for future growth and advancement.
Should I become a dental hygenist or a nurse? I just cannot decide?
do whichever one you like more
Reply:this is a profession to go into you will enjoy it.
Reply:Sounds like you are leaning towards the dental hygenist job. I would take that. Nurses do have it tough. They need to be selfless and not squeemish and they often work long long hours. I know a nurse that worked a 26 hour shift once, NO BREAKS besides to go to the bathroom. She must constantly sip coffee or something.
Reply:You should defiantly be a dental hygienist; i go to community college and every single girl in that school is going for nursing! good god do something that actually uses your brain, and if you talk to nurses they all plan on doing something else with their life and never do! its just pathetic
Reply:It really depends on where you are in your life and how much time you are willing to commit to the profession. One of my sisters is currently finishing dental hygenist school while the other graduated with an B.S. in Nursing. Dental hygenie from what I understand only recieves an assc. b/c its a 2 yr. program usually from community college ( you would have to check the indiv. schools in your area). After that it is like nursing where you have to be accepted into the actual program and then clinicals and what not. As far as benifts it would seem to me, and from what my sister has told me that it depends on the indiv. doctor you would be working with rather then nursing where you could be working for a hospital with comp. benifts packages. All in all, do some research and go talk to the colleges in your area to see if they can give you more information into the programs you have an interest in.
Reply:Here's a thought:
Go to nursing school and get your RN degree. Then go to anesthesia school and become an anesthetist. It's a far better field than nursing or dental hygiene.
Reply:This truely is a personal decision. While being face with the same type of choice, I looked at all of my options and what each career choice would mean for me. Since I had been out of school for more than 7 years, all of my science classes had to be completed again; it was during this time that I started to check into my options.
I am 35+ with 4 kids (three younger) and a full time going nowhere job. I already have my degree in business and accounting- but I cannot stand sitting behind a desk all day long. After 15 years doing this type of work I am going crazy.
When I started my adventure, I looked not only into nursing and dental hygiene, but programs for rad techs and respiratory therapy too. I asked current students in these programs, students in my science classes- instructors; anyone I could get to listen and answer questions for me. I found recent graduates to be a great area of knowledge. By checking the local community colleges web sites to completely understand my prerequesit requirements, I was able to navigate myself into getting everything that I needed.
After gathering my information together and realizing that I not only wanted a career in the medical industry, but that I wanted a career with flexibility and decent hours; I chose the dental hygienist route.
But this was based on my personal needs, nursing, rad tech and respiratory therapy all had the potential to work afternoons and nights; I have homework to do with the kids- so this would not work out as well. Not to mention they are getting invoved in more extracricular activities and I would like to be able to see them in action.
I got my letter of acceptance into the dental hygienist program and start in May. Your hard work and dedication will pay off no matter which choice you make.
Good Luck with your choice, both of these careers are great to look into for future growth and advancement.
Dental Hygenist Schools in PA?
Ok I live In Punxsutawney Pa and I wanted to find the closest schools in the area to become a Dental Hygenist.
Also if possible let me know the pros and cons of the job.
Dental Hygenist Schools in PA?
Here is a list of hygiene schools for Pennsylvania from the American Dental Hygienists Association...
Community College of Philadelphia Date Submitted: 10/16/2006
Dental Hygiene Programs
Dental Hygiene Department
CCP 1700 Spring Garden St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130-0000
Theresa Grady, RDH, MEd — Dental Hygiene Program Director
Phone: (215) 751-8927 Ext.: Fax: (215) 751-8937
Email Address: tgrady@ccp.edu
Web Site: www.ccp.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Harcum College Date Submitted: 10/11/2004
Allied Health Sciences
Dental Hygiene Program
750 Montgomery Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-0000
Jean Byrnes-Ziegler, RDH, MS — Professor/Program Director
Phone: (610) 526-6110 Ext.: Fax: (610) 526-6182
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.harcum.edu/
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Harrisburg Area Community College Date Submitted: 01/19/2007
Math, Science %26amp; Allied Health
Dental Hygiene Program
One HACC Drive, W-227
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2999
Sandra Z. Zagar, RDH – Acting Program Director
Phone: (717) 221-1733 Ext.: Fax: (717) 236-0709
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.hacc.edu/
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AA
Baccalaureate: N/A
Luzerne County Community College Date Submitted: 10/4/2006
Dental Hygiene Program
Dental Health Department
1333 S. Prospect Street
Nanticoke, PA 18634-3899
Catherine M. Brown, CDA, RDH, MEd — Director of Dental Health
Phone: (800) 377-5222 Ext.: 447 Fax: (570) 740-0265
Email Address: cbrown@luzerne.edu
Web Site: www.luzerne.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Manor College Date Submitted: 10/8/2004
Dental Hygiene Program
700 Fox Chase Rd.
Jenkintown, PA 19046-3399
Virginia M. Saunders, RDH, M.Ed — Director - Dental Hygiene and Senior Associate Professor
Phone: (215) 885-2360 Ext.: 284 Fax: (215) 576-6564
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.manor.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Montgomery County Community College Date Submitted: 9/15/2005
Health %26amp; Physical Education Division
Dental Hygiene Program
340 Dekalb Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422-0796
Jenny Sheaffer, RDH, MS — Director %26amp; Professor, Dental Hygiene Program
Phone: (215) 641-6623 Ext.: Fax: (215) 619-7171
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.mc3.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Northampton Community College Date Submitted: 10/4/2006
Allied Health and Sciences Division
Dental Auxiliary Programs
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem, PA 18020-0000
Terry Sigal Greene, RDH, M.Ed — Director, Dental Auxiliary Programs
Phone: (610) 861-5440 Ext.: Fax: (610) 861-4139
Email Address: tsigalgreene@northampton.edu
Web Site: www.northampton.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Pennsylvania College of Technology Date Submitted: 1/18/2006
School of Health Sciences
Dental Hygiene Program
One College Avenue
Williamsport, PA 17701-0000
Shawn Kiser, RDH — Coordinator of Dental Hygiene
Phone: (570) 320-8007 Ext.: Fax: (570) 320-2401
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.pct.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Tri-State Business Institute Date Submitted: 9/21/2006
Dental Hygiene Program
5757 West Ridge Road
Erie, PA 16506-0000
Susan Gorman, RDH, BSED — Program Director
Phone: (814) 838-7673 Ext.: Fax: (814) 838-4276
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: http://www.tsbi.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
University of Pittsburgh Date Submitted: 10/5/2005
School of Dental Medicine
Dental Hygiene Program
B-82 Salk Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15261-1937
Angelina E. Riccelli, RDH, MS — Director
Phone: (412) 648-8432 Ext.: Fax: (412) 383-8737
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.dental.pitt.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: CERTIFICATE
Associate: N/A
Baccalaureate: BS-DH
Westmoreland County Community College Date Submitted: 10/4/2006
Health Professions/Biology
Dental Hygiene Program
145 Pavilion Lane
Youngwood, PA 15697-1895
Angela S. Rinchuse, RDH, MEd — Assistant Professor/Director
Phone: (724) 925-4163 Ext.: Fax: (724) 925-5808
Email Address: rinchusea@wccc-pa.edu
Web Site: www.wccc-pa.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
As a dental hygienist of 15 years I can say I definately wouldn't choose to change my career. The pay is great, but that isn't really the best part of what I do. What I really enjoy the most is being respected medical professional that has the opportunity to make a genuine impact in my patient's lives. You can educate a person so that they can take better care of themself, or save them from a problem that is already present (like oral cancer). You might get to see a family grow (or grow up) if you are in a practice for a long enough time and may become the reason why the come to the office even though they are fearful. You might be part of a team that you look forward to working with. The opportunities to go out and help in the community (like talking with a group of girl scouts or at a school fair) are endless. You can furthur your education (from an associate's degree to a bachelor's) and teach at the college level, work as a sales rep or be involved in research. My flexibility with my schedule at work has allowed me to raise a family and go to school for a bachelor's degree. My employer helps pay for uniforms and continuing education along with retirement and vacation benefits. I could go on and on, but if you think this may be the career for you it might be a good time to ask your dentist if you could spend some time at the office and see what it is like. I currently have a high school junior shadowing me on Fridays...
(This is a response that I had given to someone else previously, as for cons --- I would say that the dental community is small and you need to be very cautious about your behavior (what you say and do) since news travels!)
Hope that helps!
JAMRDH - a dental hygienist
Also if possible let me know the pros and cons of the job.
Dental Hygenist Schools in PA?
Here is a list of hygiene schools for Pennsylvania from the American Dental Hygienists Association...
Community College of Philadelphia Date Submitted: 10/16/2006
Dental Hygiene Programs
Dental Hygiene Department
CCP 1700 Spring Garden St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130-0000
Theresa Grady, RDH, MEd — Dental Hygiene Program Director
Phone: (215) 751-8927 Ext.: Fax: (215) 751-8937
Email Address: tgrady@ccp.edu
Web Site: www.ccp.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Harcum College Date Submitted: 10/11/2004
Allied Health Sciences
Dental Hygiene Program
750 Montgomery Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-0000
Jean Byrnes-Ziegler, RDH, MS — Professor/Program Director
Phone: (610) 526-6110 Ext.: Fax: (610) 526-6182
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.harcum.edu/
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Harrisburg Area Community College Date Submitted: 01/19/2007
Math, Science %26amp; Allied Health
Dental Hygiene Program
One HACC Drive, W-227
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2999
Sandra Z. Zagar, RDH – Acting Program Director
Phone: (717) 221-1733 Ext.: Fax: (717) 236-0709
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.hacc.edu/
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AA
Baccalaureate: N/A
Luzerne County Community College Date Submitted: 10/4/2006
Dental Hygiene Program
Dental Health Department
1333 S. Prospect Street
Nanticoke, PA 18634-3899
Catherine M. Brown, CDA, RDH, MEd — Director of Dental Health
Phone: (800) 377-5222 Ext.: 447 Fax: (570) 740-0265
Email Address: cbrown@luzerne.edu
Web Site: www.luzerne.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Manor College Date Submitted: 10/8/2004
Dental Hygiene Program
700 Fox Chase Rd.
Jenkintown, PA 19046-3399
Virginia M. Saunders, RDH, M.Ed — Director - Dental Hygiene and Senior Associate Professor
Phone: (215) 885-2360 Ext.: 284 Fax: (215) 576-6564
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.manor.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Montgomery County Community College Date Submitted: 9/15/2005
Health %26amp; Physical Education Division
Dental Hygiene Program
340 Dekalb Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422-0796
Jenny Sheaffer, RDH, MS — Director %26amp; Professor, Dental Hygiene Program
Phone: (215) 641-6623 Ext.: Fax: (215) 619-7171
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.mc3.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Northampton Community College Date Submitted: 10/4/2006
Allied Health and Sciences Division
Dental Auxiliary Programs
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem, PA 18020-0000
Terry Sigal Greene, RDH, M.Ed — Director, Dental Auxiliary Programs
Phone: (610) 861-5440 Ext.: Fax: (610) 861-4139
Email Address: tsigalgreene@northampton.edu
Web Site: www.northampton.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Pennsylvania College of Technology Date Submitted: 1/18/2006
School of Health Sciences
Dental Hygiene Program
One College Avenue
Williamsport, PA 17701-0000
Shawn Kiser, RDH — Coordinator of Dental Hygiene
Phone: (570) 320-8007 Ext.: Fax: (570) 320-2401
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.pct.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
Tri-State Business Institute Date Submitted: 9/21/2006
Dental Hygiene Program
5757 West Ridge Road
Erie, PA 16506-0000
Susan Gorman, RDH, BSED — Program Director
Phone: (814) 838-7673 Ext.: Fax: (814) 838-4276
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: http://www.tsbi.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
University of Pittsburgh Date Submitted: 10/5/2005
School of Dental Medicine
Dental Hygiene Program
B-82 Salk Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15261-1937
Angelina E. Riccelli, RDH, MS — Director
Phone: (412) 648-8432 Ext.: Fax: (412) 383-8737
Email Address: N/A
Web Site: www.dental.pitt.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: CERTIFICATE
Associate: N/A
Baccalaureate: BS-DH
Westmoreland County Community College Date Submitted: 10/4/2006
Health Professions/Biology
Dental Hygiene Program
145 Pavilion Lane
Youngwood, PA 15697-1895
Angela S. Rinchuse, RDH, MEd — Assistant Professor/Director
Phone: (724) 925-4163 Ext.: Fax: (724) 925-5808
Email Address: rinchusea@wccc-pa.edu
Web Site: www.wccc-pa.edu
Degrees Awarded
Certificate: N/A
Associate: AAS
Baccalaureate: N/A
As a dental hygienist of 15 years I can say I definately wouldn't choose to change my career. The pay is great, but that isn't really the best part of what I do. What I really enjoy the most is being respected medical professional that has the opportunity to make a genuine impact in my patient's lives. You can educate a person so that they can take better care of themself, or save them from a problem that is already present (like oral cancer). You might get to see a family grow (or grow up) if you are in a practice for a long enough time and may become the reason why the come to the office even though they are fearful. You might be part of a team that you look forward to working with. The opportunities to go out and help in the community (like talking with a group of girl scouts or at a school fair) are endless. You can furthur your education (from an associate's degree to a bachelor's) and teach at the college level, work as a sales rep or be involved in research. My flexibility with my schedule at work has allowed me to raise a family and go to school for a bachelor's degree. My employer helps pay for uniforms and continuing education along with retirement and vacation benefits. I could go on and on, but if you think this may be the career for you it might be a good time to ask your dentist if you could spend some time at the office and see what it is like. I currently have a high school junior shadowing me on Fridays...
(This is a response that I had given to someone else previously, as for cons --- I would say that the dental community is small and you need to be very cautious about your behavior (what you say and do) since news travels!)
Hope that helps!
JAMRDH - a dental hygienist
Dental hygenist/assistant?
Do you need to have a license or be certified to be a dental hygenist or a dental assistant?
Dental hygenist/assistant?
Dental hygienist yes must be licensed......dental assistant no, but it helps your pay if you are certified.
Reply:You must be licensed to be a dental hygenist .
Dental hygenist/assistant?
Dental hygienist yes must be licensed......dental assistant no, but it helps your pay if you are certified.
Reply:You must be licensed to be a dental hygenist .
Dental hygenist info please?
ok i am looking for some careers to go into that pay pretty well. i want to know if there are any dental hygenist out there that can answer these questions:
i live in orange county, ca. where did you go to dental school? did you get an associates at a community college or do you need coursework first before you get accepted to some time of special training school?
2) how long did it take you to graduate completley?
3) how many years of school does it take?
4) was it hard to get your first job how long did it take you?
5) what kind of stuff do you do in this job- what are you not allowd to do?
6) is the schoolong really hard- do you have any tips?
7) how much did you get paid starting out- then after a couple years?
do you get good benefits?
i really would love to work in pediatric denistry if anyone knows anything cool things about that please let me know. i know there is a lot of stuff here but i cant seem to get what i need. thanks in advance!!!!!
Dental hygenist info please?
Ok, help has arrived!!!
I have been a dental hygienist for almost 1 year, and it does pay really well.
California will probably pay better than this, but I got 28 dollars an hour starting out.
My 1st year of college (university), I took the general classes that my college advisor told me to take. These include classes like basic algebra, a few biology classes, speech class, computer class, english, etc.
I took all the classes that were not a part of the actual dental hygiene curriculum. It's a really good idea to do this, because my dental hygiene program was REALLY hard in itself..
I would suggest that you study very hard and don't slack off. Hygiene is sometimes a difficult and always-changing profession, but it is very rewarding.
Pediatric hygiene is fun: you place a lot of sealants, give Fluoride treatments, and have fun with the kids!
The do's and dont's: you cannot diagnose ANYTHING. You can only "describe" symptoms to the patient. It is up to the dentist to tell a patient he has a cavity or infected tooth, etc.
You cannot place fillings or do root canals, crown and bridge, or pull teeth.
Altogether, I spent 3 years in college: 1 year general classes, 2 years hygiene classes.
Basically hygiene involves cleaning teeth, polishing teeth, flossing, giving fluoride, taking x-rays, patient education, examing patients for several conditions, relaying that info to the dentist, and you can go to elementary schools, and teach kids about oral hygiene.
Most universities have 2-year hygiene programs, so check with them for their specifics.
If you have any more questions, FEEL FREE to email me at dental_scaler@yahoo.com.
Hope this helps!
Reply:First of all if you are thinking of getting into hygiene only because it pays well than you may want to reconsider. Hygiene is not for everybody. I have known many docs in CA that have paid their hygienists close to a $100,000. Hygienists in the west, including CA, NV, and Arizona can easily make fifty dollars an hour, or commission which puts them close to the 100 grand per year mark. However with the cost of living so high in CA what hygienists get paid there pretty much meshes with what we are paid here on the east coast. Excluding the NJ, New York, and CT areas. The cost of living in my area (southeast) is lower, so I get paid very well for where I live. I have a BS in hygiene, it took me a little over four years. Yes the schooling is very hard and anyone that thinks that hygiene is only about cleaning teeth is wrong. I went in thinking that it would be tough, but nothing prepared me for how hard it really is. I had to learn things that I never thought had anything to do with oral health (now I know better) things like: a person's medications can interact with some things that we use in dentistry, many meds cause dry mouth, which leads to another set of problems. The classes I had not necessarily in order were: Anat/Phy. 1%26amp;2, head/neck anat., micro-bio, bio-chemistry, english 1%26amp;2, psychology, public speaking, history, college algebra, medical term, periodontics, pharmacology, embryology/tooth morphology, pathology, oral anesth/injections, nutrition, public health dentistry, dental assisting, radiology, National Board Review, Clinical hygiene 123%26amp;4, which included hundreds of hours of clinic time with actual patients. After hygiene school I then had to take the National Dental Hygiene Board test, and also our regional clinical hands on test to become licensed in my state. You can have all of the schooling in the world but if you don't pass these last two tests than you don't practice hygiene period. You have to be licensed by your state. Your GPA should be a 3.8 or better. Hygiene school has become very competitive. The last time I checked, which was last month, the waiting list where I went to school was five years. I was lucky enough to get in on my first try, I graduated in 2002. I make about forty-two dollars an hour, including benefits. My benefits are vacation, sick days, scrubs twice a year, free dental care, continuing education classes, and a monthly bonus if we make over a certain amount of collections per month. I have made about five hundred extra per month bonus. I get paid very well, however I work hard for it. I do all of my own work, some hygienists have assistants that help them, however I prefer to do everything myself. Thats just me, I like the one on one attention that I can give my patients. I had my first hygiene job before I ever graduated. I was hired on the spot in February of 2002. I graduated in may of 2002, and went to work in June of 2002 as soon as my license came in the mail. You usually will take your National Board in March, your practical exam in April, which gives you just enough time to graduate, and wait about six weeks for your results which come in the snail mail. This for me was the hardest part, the waiting game. However if you do well in school than you will do well on your boards. I love hygiene and would hate anything else, including being a dentist. I love people, and I love the fact that I can talk and work. I have a certain amount of autnomy, even though I work under a dentist, I have my own room and my own book of patients. I get to work without the dentist being on top of me. I do my thing and my doc may come in briefly to check something, or if they have had an exam in the last year than he does not come in to check at all. I decide on how much time that I need to see a patient, and fill my schedule accordingly. I work about thirty two hours per week and get paid for full-time. I never work weekends, and have fridays off. Dentistry is not for the faint of heart, it can be stinky, bloody, gross etc. You have to be very careful because you can have possible exposure to infectious diseases, like Aids, Hepatitis, TB etc. We have to be careful of things like needle sticks and sharp instruments. You have to know how to take care of people, know how to read them.....If words like pus, blood, spit, mucous, black hairy tongue, running sores, etc bother you, than dentistry is not for you. If you can't stand to say the word than you can bet that you won't be able to handle seeing it. Your best bet is to do a lot of research and reading about hygiene. It is a very rewarding career, however it can be stressful and hard on the hands and body. Research, Research, Research.....Best.
The above RDH is correct we can't by law diagnose, however we can state our opinion, which is different. My doc many times after he has "officially" diagnosed someone with say periodontal disease will ask me what course of treatment that I think is the best. While I am not diagnosing, I can still give my opinion on what I think is best for the patient with a particular problem. I have to carry my own malpractice insurance as well. I can be held liable, because I am licensed just like the dentist. Basically we as hygienists are a second pair of eyes for the dentist. We watch out for things like gum issues, decay, perio disease, gingivitis, oral cancer and lesions, etc. For the most part we spend more time with the patients than the doc so we have to have sharp eyes to watch for things out of the norm and bring it to the dentists attention. In some states like CO hygienists can have their own practices and work indepen. of the dentist.
affiliate reviews
i live in orange county, ca. where did you go to dental school? did you get an associates at a community college or do you need coursework first before you get accepted to some time of special training school?
2) how long did it take you to graduate completley?
3) how many years of school does it take?
4) was it hard to get your first job how long did it take you?
5) what kind of stuff do you do in this job- what are you not allowd to do?
6) is the schoolong really hard- do you have any tips?
7) how much did you get paid starting out- then after a couple years?
do you get good benefits?
i really would love to work in pediatric denistry if anyone knows anything cool things about that please let me know. i know there is a lot of stuff here but i cant seem to get what i need. thanks in advance!!!!!
Dental hygenist info please?
Ok, help has arrived!!!
I have been a dental hygienist for almost 1 year, and it does pay really well.
California will probably pay better than this, but I got 28 dollars an hour starting out.
My 1st year of college (university), I took the general classes that my college advisor told me to take. These include classes like basic algebra, a few biology classes, speech class, computer class, english, etc.
I took all the classes that were not a part of the actual dental hygiene curriculum. It's a really good idea to do this, because my dental hygiene program was REALLY hard in itself..
I would suggest that you study very hard and don't slack off. Hygiene is sometimes a difficult and always-changing profession, but it is very rewarding.
Pediatric hygiene is fun: you place a lot of sealants, give Fluoride treatments, and have fun with the kids!
The do's and dont's: you cannot diagnose ANYTHING. You can only "describe" symptoms to the patient. It is up to the dentist to tell a patient he has a cavity or infected tooth, etc.
You cannot place fillings or do root canals, crown and bridge, or pull teeth.
Altogether, I spent 3 years in college: 1 year general classes, 2 years hygiene classes.
Basically hygiene involves cleaning teeth, polishing teeth, flossing, giving fluoride, taking x-rays, patient education, examing patients for several conditions, relaying that info to the dentist, and you can go to elementary schools, and teach kids about oral hygiene.
Most universities have 2-year hygiene programs, so check with them for their specifics.
If you have any more questions, FEEL FREE to email me at dental_scaler@yahoo.com.
Hope this helps!
Reply:First of all if you are thinking of getting into hygiene only because it pays well than you may want to reconsider. Hygiene is not for everybody. I have known many docs in CA that have paid their hygienists close to a $100,000. Hygienists in the west, including CA, NV, and Arizona can easily make fifty dollars an hour, or commission which puts them close to the 100 grand per year mark. However with the cost of living so high in CA what hygienists get paid there pretty much meshes with what we are paid here on the east coast. Excluding the NJ, New York, and CT areas. The cost of living in my area (southeast) is lower, so I get paid very well for where I live. I have a BS in hygiene, it took me a little over four years. Yes the schooling is very hard and anyone that thinks that hygiene is only about cleaning teeth is wrong. I went in thinking that it would be tough, but nothing prepared me for how hard it really is. I had to learn things that I never thought had anything to do with oral health (now I know better) things like: a person's medications can interact with some things that we use in dentistry, many meds cause dry mouth, which leads to another set of problems. The classes I had not necessarily in order were: Anat/Phy. 1%26amp;2, head/neck anat., micro-bio, bio-chemistry, english 1%26amp;2, psychology, public speaking, history, college algebra, medical term, periodontics, pharmacology, embryology/tooth morphology, pathology, oral anesth/injections, nutrition, public health dentistry, dental assisting, radiology, National Board Review, Clinical hygiene 123%26amp;4, which included hundreds of hours of clinic time with actual patients. After hygiene school I then had to take the National Dental Hygiene Board test, and also our regional clinical hands on test to become licensed in my state. You can have all of the schooling in the world but if you don't pass these last two tests than you don't practice hygiene period. You have to be licensed by your state. Your GPA should be a 3.8 or better. Hygiene school has become very competitive. The last time I checked, which was last month, the waiting list where I went to school was five years. I was lucky enough to get in on my first try, I graduated in 2002. I make about forty-two dollars an hour, including benefits. My benefits are vacation, sick days, scrubs twice a year, free dental care, continuing education classes, and a monthly bonus if we make over a certain amount of collections per month. I have made about five hundred extra per month bonus. I get paid very well, however I work hard for it. I do all of my own work, some hygienists have assistants that help them, however I prefer to do everything myself. Thats just me, I like the one on one attention that I can give my patients. I had my first hygiene job before I ever graduated. I was hired on the spot in February of 2002. I graduated in may of 2002, and went to work in June of 2002 as soon as my license came in the mail. You usually will take your National Board in March, your practical exam in April, which gives you just enough time to graduate, and wait about six weeks for your results which come in the snail mail. This for me was the hardest part, the waiting game. However if you do well in school than you will do well on your boards. I love hygiene and would hate anything else, including being a dentist. I love people, and I love the fact that I can talk and work. I have a certain amount of autnomy, even though I work under a dentist, I have my own room and my own book of patients. I get to work without the dentist being on top of me. I do my thing and my doc may come in briefly to check something, or if they have had an exam in the last year than he does not come in to check at all. I decide on how much time that I need to see a patient, and fill my schedule accordingly. I work about thirty two hours per week and get paid for full-time. I never work weekends, and have fridays off. Dentistry is not for the faint of heart, it can be stinky, bloody, gross etc. You have to be very careful because you can have possible exposure to infectious diseases, like Aids, Hepatitis, TB etc. We have to be careful of things like needle sticks and sharp instruments. You have to know how to take care of people, know how to read them.....If words like pus, blood, spit, mucous, black hairy tongue, running sores, etc bother you, than dentistry is not for you. If you can't stand to say the word than you can bet that you won't be able to handle seeing it. Your best bet is to do a lot of research and reading about hygiene. It is a very rewarding career, however it can be stressful and hard on the hands and body. Research, Research, Research.....Best.
The above RDH is correct we can't by law diagnose, however we can state our opinion, which is different. My doc many times after he has "officially" diagnosed someone with say periodontal disease will ask me what course of treatment that I think is the best. While I am not diagnosing, I can still give my opinion on what I think is best for the patient with a particular problem. I have to carry my own malpractice insurance as well. I can be held liable, because I am licensed just like the dentist. Basically we as hygienists are a second pair of eyes for the dentist. We watch out for things like gum issues, decay, perio disease, gingivitis, oral cancer and lesions, etc. For the most part we spend more time with the patients than the doc so we have to have sharp eyes to watch for things out of the norm and bring it to the dentists attention. In some states like CO hygienists can have their own practices and work indepen. of the dentist.
affiliate reviews
I s dental hygenist a good career to get into and is the college progam hard?
Its hard for me choose between dental hygenist or a career as a RN. I want to do something that I love but a career that also pays well, these are the only careers that I really want to do. As a dental hygenist I can do what I love by helping with different types of dental infections and not seeing alot of blood. Or I can be a RN and still help diffrent types of people all age gender but still see alot of blood. Im confused I want to pick a career I know will be growing and pays well. Which of the too I dont know.
I s dental hygenist a good career to get into and is the college progam hard?
Gotta go with dental hygiene. I love my job and office people. You can choose to work for one boss unlike being an RN, you have many bosses. My dentist sent us to Paris last year and we get monthly bonuses of about $200 a month. My schedule has holes where I can rest and chat and the scheduling is done by myself. Also, free dental insurance for the whole family. Being a nurse is tough on your feet and I heard other nurses can be cut-throat. Good luck in your decision.
Reply:I personally want to be a dental hygienist. The program is 2 years after your prerequisites are met (probably 4 years total). The program is tedious, but I've heard its completely doable. When you're done you can work as much or as little as you want (I'm a mom so this is attractive to me)
Being a nurse also pays well and you help people but I personally would not like doing the needles, bedpans, catheters, etc.
Reply:A dental hygienist would be a great career to take a hold of but so would a RN. Your going to see blood in both. I do know that there is a high demand for RN right now and it does pay out really good but look at it like this as a RN there is always room to grow and move up the ladder to better positions especially if you work for a Hospital they usually will pay for your school if its something that would benefit there work place.
Reply:Sounds like you're just like me. Why won;'t you try pharmacy?
Here's why:
1) Takes less time to finish
2) You can start a family and maintain it and see your kids everyday
3) Most jobs are 9-5
4) Starting salary is 75-150K depending on location
5) One of the most trusted profession in the US
6) Very flexible working schedule
7) You still get to be involved in a patient;s life
Good Luck with your decision! Feel free to contact me if you are interested in pharmacy!
I s dental hygenist a good career to get into and is the college progam hard?
Gotta go with dental hygiene. I love my job and office people. You can choose to work for one boss unlike being an RN, you have many bosses. My dentist sent us to Paris last year and we get monthly bonuses of about $200 a month. My schedule has holes where I can rest and chat and the scheduling is done by myself. Also, free dental insurance for the whole family. Being a nurse is tough on your feet and I heard other nurses can be cut-throat. Good luck in your decision.
Reply:I personally want to be a dental hygienist. The program is 2 years after your prerequisites are met (probably 4 years total). The program is tedious, but I've heard its completely doable. When you're done you can work as much or as little as you want (I'm a mom so this is attractive to me)
Being a nurse also pays well and you help people but I personally would not like doing the needles, bedpans, catheters, etc.
Reply:A dental hygienist would be a great career to take a hold of but so would a RN. Your going to see blood in both. I do know that there is a high demand for RN right now and it does pay out really good but look at it like this as a RN there is always room to grow and move up the ladder to better positions especially if you work for a Hospital they usually will pay for your school if its something that would benefit there work place.
Reply:Sounds like you're just like me. Why won;'t you try pharmacy?
Here's why:
1) Takes less time to finish
2) You can start a family and maintain it and see your kids everyday
3) Most jobs are 9-5
4) Starting salary is 75-150K depending on location
5) One of the most trusted profession in the US
6) Very flexible working schedule
7) You still get to be involved in a patient;s life
Good Luck with your decision! Feel free to contact me if you are interested in pharmacy!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Dental Hygenist gave me her travel agency card...?
I just had my teeth cleaned and when it was all over, the dental hygenist gave me her card cuz she has an online travel agency. i felt that this is solicitation and that it was inappropriate. i feel like i should anonymously let the dentist know that his hygenist is using his place of business for her own profit....your thoughts?
Dental Hygenist gave me her travel agency card...?
she's trying to drum up business. but this has no place at work. she probably signed to agree to this when she was hired. i can't see a clinic not having a clause about solicitation. you should mention it, because she probably doesn't do it when her coworkers can see
Reply:Does it REALLY matter? so she's trying to get the word out about another business she has, you can just throw it out if you aren't interested. It's not like she's promoting another dental office at the one she works at.
Reply:Live and let live. If you don`t like what she was doing just say " No thank you " and not accept the card.
Reply:Is it really bothering you that much? So what if she gave you a card. It's not like if she was soliciting you for sex or asking you to murder someone. Just drop it and move on. Life is too short to be worrying over the little things.
Reply:Why is this such a big deal??. So she has a business on the side and is trying to drum up business.
Big deal.You can keep the card or file it in the trash.
Dental Hygenist gave me her travel agency card...?
she's trying to drum up business. but this has no place at work. she probably signed to agree to this when she was hired. i can't see a clinic not having a clause about solicitation. you should mention it, because she probably doesn't do it when her coworkers can see
Reply:Does it REALLY matter? so she's trying to get the word out about another business she has, you can just throw it out if you aren't interested. It's not like she's promoting another dental office at the one she works at.
Reply:Live and let live. If you don`t like what she was doing just say " No thank you " and not accept the card.
Reply:Is it really bothering you that much? So what if she gave you a card. It's not like if she was soliciting you for sex or asking you to murder someone. Just drop it and move on. Life is too short to be worrying over the little things.
Reply:Why is this such a big deal??. So she has a business on the side and is trying to drum up business.
Big deal.You can keep the card or file it in the trash.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)