Demand for dental hygienists in the US is on the rise.
Either way, it is faster than the average growth rate across all industries (7%).
What Is the Day-to-Day Like for a Dental Hygienist?
Dental Hygienist students Allison Wilson (left) and Yaneisy Valle look at a patient’s x-rays. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
Filipiak outlined the typical duties of a dental hygienist in a clinical setting.
Working in a dental office continues to be the primary place of employment for dental hygienists.
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Dental hygienists can also go into the research field in controls like government agencies and nonprofits.
A career in dental hygiene also opens you up to a future as an educator.
Dental hygiene educators are in great demand, Filipiak told me.
Corporations also employ educators who provide continuing education to licensed dental hygienists.
Roles include clinical instructors, corporate educators and program directors.
Filipiak even detailed potential entrepreneurial career paths.
So what makes for a talented dental hygienist?
Also important are attention to detail and physical stamina, as days are spent mostly on your feet.
They typically also balance a number of priorities at work each day, Filipiak said.
The physical nature of the job can lead to common injuries.
Dental hygienists often have to placate very nervous patients and deal with a range of emotions.
On top of it all, they sometimes interact with some very gross stuff.
(Remember that the next time you consider skipping brushing before bed.)
Being a dental hygienist comes with a number of big perks.
Benefits and convenient work schedules tend to be equally as rewarding.
But for Filipiak, the real reward of being a dental hygienist comes from the work they do.
Dental hygienists play an important role in promoting oral health and providing care to patients, she told me.
Its that ability tomake a difference in someones healththat truly makes the career path one to follow.
The ADHA also offersstudent resourcesandscholarshipsthrough its Institute for Oral Health.
A certificate and/or a degree is not enough, however.
The ADHA offers anexam guideand aNational Board Review courseto help you out.
Finally, you will be required to takecontinuing education coursesthroughout your career to remain certified.
Timothy Moore is a writer, editor and regular tooth brusher living in Germantown, Ohio.
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Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
