What Does It Take To Be A GREAT Dental Hygienist?

• Posted by jennifer calderon February 21, 2023 Filed in Health #Dental Hygienist  88 views
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  What am I looking for?

   

  In today's stagnant economy, many people are looking for the ideal career that will bring them the most money with the least effort. However, this really shouldn't be a deciding factor when deciding on ANY career, and certainly not a career in healthcare!

   

  A career in healthcare of any kind requires that an individual not only develop great practical skills but also have a strong passion for caring for others. Anything else will NEVER give you the ultimate job satisfaction you are looking for. Surely money is a real necessity for all of us to survive in this busy world we live in. Read more here about this or similar topics.

   

  However; Medical or dental patients should never be viewed as numbers or just a means of getting another bonus check! So, if you enjoy meeting new people, love the chance to truly help someone in need, learn lifelong from the idea, thrive, enjoy working semi-independently and have meticulous judgment, then this is a rewarding career as a chartered dental hygienist could be just the thing for you!

   

  What Skills Do I Need to Become a Dental Hygienist?

   

  A career as a registered dental hygienist is far more rewarding than most people can ever imagine. The role is much more than someone who just brushes their teeth! It's about educating and engaging patients about their overall health and well-being. It's never a mundane, mundane job where you do the same monotonous work. It is, however, an exciting and rewarding career in which only the well educated, highly educated and compassionate souls put the finishing touches. These real healthcare providers strive every day to provide expert care and educate real people who desperately need a caring person to lend them a helping hand.

   

  This is a career where confidence, determination, and most importantly, genuine, heartfelt compassion are essential to thrive! Whilst excellent communication and manual dexterity are a must in this ever expanding field. Like many other skill-based careers...all of these skills and talents develop and improve over time. In this growth phase, however, patience, diligence and steadfastness are required. While I cannot stress enough the importance of a great work ethic and true team player mentality, these are also essential prerequisites for this exciting career.

   

  How long does it take?

   

  Becoming a registered dental hygienist takes very little time compared to many career paths. It can be completed in just two years for an associate's degree of formal college education. While some choose a longer education path with a four-year bachelor's degree, others may even aspire to continue their education to pursue a master's degree.

   

  Honestly, which path YOU take depends entirely on how much time you have to devote to formal education. Surprisingly, private practice hygienists with a two-year degree make no less than one with a four-year one. However, for those looking to enter the field of dental sales or education, a master's degree is now considered the gold standard.

  

  But... how much can I really earn?

   

  Like salaries in most medical jobs, dental hygienist salaries are very competitive and currently range from $25 to $45 per hour. These numbers vary widely because the cost of living and salaries differ from state to state. The majority of hygienists work less than 40 hours a week, which is a great incentive for those with families.

   

  Recent trends in dentistry have resulted in a four-day workweek in many private dental practices. This offers the entire dental team greater flexibility of a shorter work week with longer weekends. Another option today for those looking to work more hours is the opportunity to take on an additional part-time position at a multi-location dental practice that often offers their patients late evening hours and even weekends.

   

  But what if I'm a straight A student?

   

  As I've told numerous curious students and adults about entering the big world of dentistry over the years... it really doesn't matter how smart you are! What really matters is how much you really want it