PROs and CONs of being a DENTAL HYGIENIST
TLDRWhitney, a dental hygienist with five years of experience, addresses the frequently requested topic of the pros and cons of her profession in a YouTube video. She emphasizes the positive aspects, such as the daily impact on patients' health, stable pay, job freedom, no work-from-home requirement, and the flexibility of part-time work. Whitney also highlights the variety of work settings and the educational opportunities within the field. However, she candidly discusses the potential downsides, including the challenge of finding full-time positions with benefits, exposure to health hazards, difficulty taking time off due to patient scheduling, the inability to work remotely, potential monotony, physical strain leading to body issues, and the complexities of state licensure transfers. Whitney encourages a balanced view, acknowledging that while every job has its pros and cons, it's important to recognize the aspects of the job that may not align with one's personal preferences.
Takeaways
- 😁 Pros of being a dental hygienist include the ability to help patients maintain oral health and overall well-being.
- 💰 Good pay is generally offered to dental hygienists, with average hourly wages being stable and varying by location.
- 🏥 Dental hygienists often enjoy a level of freedom in their work, with less direct supervision and the ability to manage their own operatories.
- 🏠 Work doesn't follow dental hygienists home, unlike many other professions that require off-hours work.
- 🏢 Opportunities to work in various settings, from corporate offices to small private practices, offer flexibility.
- 📅 The field of dental hygiene is open to temporary work, part-time positions, and is accommodating for those seeking flexibility, like parents or those with other part-time jobs.
- 🎓 There are multiple degree and higher education opportunities within dental hygiene, including bachelor's and master's degrees, which can lead to various career paths.
- 🚫 Cons of dental hygiene may include difficulty finding full-time positions with benefits, especially outside of corporate settings.
- ⚠️ Hygienists are exposed to health hazards such as blood and saliva, so strict adherence to infection control is necessary.
- 😷 It can be challenging to take time off due to the impact on scheduled patients and the potential difficulty in finding a substitute.
- 🏠 Unlike many jobs, dental hygienists cannot work from home, which was highlighted during the 2020 shutdown.
- 🔄 Some individuals may find the role monotonous, though the speaker disagrees, citing variety in patient care and ongoing learning opportunities.
- 🤲 The physical nature of the job can lead to body strain, so it's important for hygienists to practice good ergonomics to prevent injury.
- 📍 State licensure can be a challenge when moving, as each state has different requirements, which may include retaking exams or reapplying for licensure.
Q & A
What is the profession of Whitney, the speaker in the video?
-Whitney is a dental hygienist.
How long has Whitney been working as a dental hygienist?
-Whitney has been working as a dental hygienist for about five years.
What is Whitney's online presence related to her profession?
-Whitney has been making videos on YouTube about dental hygiene for about the same amount of time she has been a dental hygienist.
Why has Whitney been avoiding making a video on the pros and cons of being a dental hygienist?
-Whitney has been avoiding making this video because she does not like to put out negative information about the profession.
What is one of the pros of being a dental hygienist that Whitney mentions?
-One of the pros is helping people every day by maintaining and improving their oral health, which affects their overall health.
What is the average hourly pay for dental hygienists like?
-The average hourly pay for dental hygienists is pretty stable, with variations depending on certain areas and locations.
What kind of flexibility does a dental hygienist's job offer?
-Dental hygienists often have the freedom to work independently in their own operatory without constant supervision, and they do not bring work home.
What are some of the cons Whitney mentions about being a dental hygienist?
-Some cons include difficulty finding full-time positions with benefits, exposure to hazards, stress associated with calling off work, and potential for body breakdown due to the physical demands of the job.
How does Whitney feel about the monotony of dental hygiene work?
-Whitney disagrees with the notion of monotony, as she finds every mouth to be different and enjoys the variety within the job as well as the opportunity to learn and grow in the field.
What does Whitney suggest for those interested in higher education within the field of dental hygiene?
-Whitney mentions that there are multiple degree options, including a bachelor's and a master's degree in dental hygiene, which can open up different career paths within dentistry.
What is the process for dental hygienists when they want to work in a different state?
-Dental hygienists need to obtain state licensure in the state where they plan to work, which can be a challenging process as it may involve retaking boards and re-licensing.
How can viewers find more information on dental topics discussed by Whitney?
-Viewers can visit Whitney's website, talkgirl.com, which has a search bar for finding specific dental topics, articles, or videos.
Outlines
😀 Introduction and Pros of Dental Hygienist Career
Whitney, a dental hygienist with five years of experience, introduces herself and discusses the pros and cons of her profession. She emphasizes the positive aspects, such as the ability to help patients maintain oral health, good pay, job freedom, not bringing work home, the choice between corporate and private practice, flexibility for part-time work, and opportunities for higher education and various career paths within dentistry.
😕 Cons of Being a Dental Hygienist
Despite the benefits, Whitney acknowledges the downsides of dental hygiene work. These include the difficulty of finding full-time positions with benefits, exposure to health hazards like blood and saliva, challenges in taking time off due to patient schedules, the inability to work from home, potential monotony of the job, physical strain leading to body problems, and the complications of transferring state licensure when relocating.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dental Hygienist
💡Pros and Cons
💡Infection Control
💡Ergonomics
💡Part-Time Work
💡State Licensure
💡Corporate vs. Private Practice
💡Flexibility
💡Educational Opportunities
💡Work-Life Balance
💡Physical Strain
Highlights
Whitney, a dental hygienist with five years of experience, discusses the pros and cons of her profession.
Emphasizes the importance of understanding both the positive and negative aspects of a career in dental hygiene.
Mentions that every job has its pros and cons and discourages negative comments about the field.
Lists the pros of dental hygiene, including helping people daily and good pay.
Highlights the freedom and autonomy dental hygienists often have in their work environment.
Points out that dental hygienists do not bring work home, unlike many other professions.
Discusses the flexibility of working in different office settings, from corporate to private practices.
Notes the availability of temp work and part-time opportunities in dental hygiene, which can be beneficial for certain lifestyles.
Explains that dental hygiene offers various degree options and higher education opportunities.
Addresses the cons, including the challenge of finding full-time positions with benefits.
Talks about the potential exposure to hazards such as blood and saliva in the dental field.
Mentions the difficulty of calling off work due to the impact on scheduled patients.
States that dental hygienists cannot work from home, unlike some other professions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discusses the potential for monotony in the job, although Whitney personally disagrees with this perspective.
Warns of possible body breakdown from the physical demands of the job and the importance of ergonomics.
Explains the process and potential difficulties of transferring state licensure for dental hygienists.
Encourages viewers to share additional pros and cons in the comments section for educational purposes.
Provides resources for further dental information through her website, talkgirl.com.
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
12 Reasons You Should Become A Dental Hygienist
Should You Be A Dentist vs. Dental Hygienist? (Teeth Talk Girl chats with Dr. Rubinshtein)
Pros and Cons Of Process Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering | What It's Really Like
ENDING the ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH Debate | Spin vs Sonic
3 Best Ways to Whiten Teeth (Dental Hygienist Explains)
15 Skills Needed To Become A Dental Hygienist
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: