12 Reasons You Should Become A Dental Hygienist

Teeth Talk Girl
28 Sept 202308:29
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRWhitney, a registered dental hygienist (RDH), shares insights into the dental hygiene career, addressing whether it's the right path for viewers. She covers twelve reasons why becoming a dental hygienist could be rewarding, including the ability to help people maintain a healthy smile, job flexibility with part-time or full-time options, high demand leading to job security, competitive pay, lifelong learning opportunities, autonomy in patient care, potential for specialization, personal fulfillment, a collaborative work environment, the importance of hand skills, and a strong sense of accomplishment. Whitney emphasizes the importance of continuing education to stay updated with industry trends and the option to work in various dental settings. She also provides a free RDH video checklist for those interested in pursuing a career in dental hygiene, available through a link in the description.

Takeaways
  • 🦷 Helping People: Dental hygienists play a crucial role in improving patients' oral health and confidence by removing biofilm and educating them on dental care.
  • 🛠️ Flexibility: The career offers flexible and part-time schedules, allowing hygienists to work according to their lifestyle preferences.
  • 📈 In-Demand Job: There is a shortage of dental hygienists, making it easier for new RDHs to find job opportunities.
  • 💰 Competitive Pay: Dental hygienists enjoy a solid average national salary, with the potential for higher earnings depending on location and work conditions.
  • 🛡️ Job Security: Once a hygienist finds a great office, they can often work there for decades, providing long-term stability.
  • 📚 Continuing Education: Dental hygienists are lifelong learners, regularly attending courses to stay updated with the latest industry trends.
  • 🏥 Autonomy: Hygienists can often provide care independently, with limited supervision, and some states even allow them to own practices.
  • 👶 Specialization Opportunities: Hygienists can choose to work in various dental specialties such as pediatrics, periodontics, or cosmetic dentistry.
  • 🤝 Collaborative Work: Hygienists work closely with a dental team, contributing to comprehensive patient care strategies.
  • 👐 Hands-On Work: The job requires good manual dexterity and attention to detail, making it suitable for those with artistic and tactile skills.
  • 🏆 Sense of Accomplishment: Dental hygienists can have a significant impact on patients' health and social lives, leading to a rewarding career.
Q & A

  • What are the benefits of becoming a dental hygienist?

    -Becoming a dental hygienist offers benefits such as helping people maintain a healthy smile, flexible work schedules, job security due to high demand, competitive pay, lifelong learning opportunities, autonomy in patient care, opportunities for specialization, personal fulfillment, a collaborative work environment, hands-on work that requires good manual dexterity, and a sense of accomplishment from making a difference in patients' lives.

  • How does a dental hygienist physically help people?

    -A dental hygienist physically helps people by removing biofilm during dental cleanings, which can strain their immune systems and cause dental disease, thus improving their overall health.

  • What kind of flexibility can a dental hygienist expect in their work schedule?

    -Dental hygienists can expect a high level of flexibility, with the option to work part-time, full-time, or on a temporary basis, including evenings and weekends, depending on their lifestyle and preferences.

  • What is the current job market like for dental hygienists?

    -The job market for dental hygienists is currently experiencing a shortage, making it relatively easy for new RDHs to find employment across various dental offices, including private practices, corporate, or DSOs.

  • What is the average national salary for a dental hygienist?

    -The average national salary for a dental hygienist in the United States is just over $75,000 per year, but it can vary depending on location and work setting.

  • How does job security look for dental hygienists?

    -Job security for dental hygienists is strong due to the high demand for their services. Once they find a great office to work in, they can often work there for many years, with some hygienists staying in the same office for decades.

  • What opportunities are there for continuing education in the field of dental hygiene?

    -Dental hygienists are lifelong learners with opportunities to attend continuing education courses each year to stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in the dental industry, which may include in-person or online training and conferences.

  • What level of autonomy do dental hygienists have in their work?

    -Dental hygienists have a significant level of autonomy, being able to care for patients independently with only limited supervision by a dentist. In some states, they may even be able to provide services without a dentist present or own their own practices.

  • What are some specialization options for dental hygienists?

    -Dental hygienists have the option to work in various specialty practices such as pediatrics, periodontics, orthodontics, or cosmetic dentistry, allowing them to tailor their career to their interests.

  • How does becoming a dental hygienist contribute to personal fulfillment?

    -Becoming a dental hygienist is personally fulfilling as it involves completing challenging coursework, passing national and state board exams, and educating patients to improve their daily lives, leading to a rewarding career where one can see the positive impact of their work.

  • What is the collaborative aspect of a dental hygienist's work environment?

    -Dental hygienists work in a collaborative environment, often pre-screening patients and then working with dentists for diagnoses and treatment planning, as well as with dental assistants to ensure a seamless care process for patients.

  • Why is manual dexterity important for a dental hygienist?

    -Manual dexterity is crucial for dental hygienists because they perform hands-on work that requires precise tactile skills, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work with small surfaces within the mouth. They use both manual and electronic instruments for patient care.

  • What additional tool do dental hygienists use to assist with the precision required in their work?

    -Dental hygienists use loops, which are magnifying glasses, to properly see the small details inside the mouth and perform their work with high accuracy.

Outlines
00:00
😀 Introduction to Dental Hygiene Career

Whitney, a registered dental hygienist (RDH), introduces the dental hygiene career and offers guidance on whether it's the right path for the viewer. She provides a free RDH video checklist for those interested in becoming a dental hygienist and discusses the importance of dental cleanings for health and confidence. Whitney also touches on the flexibility of the job, the current demand for dental hygienists, competitive pay, job security, and the benefits of lifelong learning in the field.

05:02
👩‍⚕️ Benefits and Opportunities in Dental Hygiene

The video continues with various reasons why one might want to become a dental hygienist. It covers the autonomy of the role, opportunities for specialization in areas like pediatrics, periodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. Personal fulfillment from the impact on patients' lives, a collaborative work environment, the importance of hand skills and attention to detail, and the sense of accomplishment from long-term career prospects are also discussed. Whitney emphasizes the rewarding nature of the job and invites viewers to access her free RDH video checklist for more information on the dental hygiene career.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist is a licensed professional who specializes in preventive oral health care, including cleaning teeth and educating patients on oral hygiene. In the video, Whitney, a dental hygienist, discusses the benefits and considerations of pursuing this career, emphasizing its importance in improving both the health and appearance of patients' smiles.
💡Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) refers to a dental hygienist who has met the educational and licensing requirements to practice. The term is used interchangeably with 'dental hygienist' in the video, highlighting the professional status and the educational journey required to become an RDH.
💡Biofilm
Biofilm is a thin layer of microorganisms that can form on surfaces, including teeth. In the context of the video, biofilm is mentioned as a substance that dental hygienists remove during dental cleanings to prevent dental disease. It is a key component of the dental hygiene process, emphasizing the clinical aspect of the job.
💡Flexibility
Flexibility, as discussed in the video, refers to the ability of dental hygienists to choose their work schedules, which can range from part-time to full-time. This keyword is significant as it highlights one of the attractive aspects of a career in dental hygiene, allowing professionals to balance work with other life commitments.
💡In-Demand Job
An in-demand job is one where there is a high demand for professionals in the field. The video mentions that dental hygienists are currently in high demand, making it relatively easy for new RDHs to find employment. This keyword underscores the job security and opportunities available in the dental hygiene profession.
💡Competitive Pay
Competitive pay refers to a salary that is comparable to or higher than the average for similar jobs in the same industry. The video states that the average national salary for a dental hygienist is over $75,000 per year, indicating that the profession offers a financially rewarding career path.
💡Job Security
Job security means the likelihood of a job remaining stable over time. Whitney mentions that dental hygienists can work in the same office for decades, suggesting that once employed, dental hygienists can expect a stable career with low risk of unemployment.
💡Continuing Education
Continuing education is the process of learning new skills or knowledge after one has completed their initial training or degree. The video emphasizes that dental hygienists are lifelong learners, attending courses to stay updated with the latest trends in dental care, which is crucial for maintaining their professional competence.
💡Autonomy
Autonomy in the context of the video refers to the independence dental hygienists have in caring for patients, often with limited supervision. This keyword highlights the professional freedom and responsibility that comes with being a dental hygienist, especially in states where hygienists can own their practices.
💡Opportunities for Specialization
Opportunities for specialization indicate the various niche areas within the broader field of dental hygiene where professionals can focus their careers. The video mentions specialties such as pediatrics, periodontics, and orthodontics, allowing dental hygienists to tailor their career to their interests and skills.
💡Personal Fulfillment
Personal fulfillment refers to a deep sense of satisfaction and achievement that comes from one's work. The video discusses the rewarding nature of dental hygiene, where professionals can take pride in the impact they have on patients' health and well-being, contributing to the overall appeal of the career.
💡Collaborative Work Environment
A collaborative work environment is one where professionals work together as a team to achieve common goals. In the video, Whitney talks about how dental hygienists work closely with dentists and other dental team members, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in providing comprehensive patient care.
💡Hands-On Work
Hands-on work involves practical, manual tasks rather than theoretical or desk-based work. The video highlights that dental hygienists perform hands-on tasks such as cleaning teeth and using instruments, requiring good manual dexterity and attention to detail, which is a key aspect of the job.
💡Sense of Accomplishment
A sense of accomplishment is the feeling of achievement that comes from completing a task or achieving a goal. The video mentions that dental hygienists experience this when they see the positive changes in their patients' oral health, which adds to the job's overall satisfaction.
Highlights

Dental hygienists play a crucial role in helping people maintain a healthy and attractive smile, which is not only important for self-esteem but also for overall health.

The career offers flexibility with many hygienists working part-time or flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends.

There is a current shortage of dental hygienists, making it an in-demand job with numerous opportunities for new RDHs.

Dental hygienists enjoy competitive pay, with an average national salary over $75,000 per year, and even higher in some areas.

Job security is high for dental hygienists, with the potential for long-term employment at a preferred office.

Continuing education is a significant part of the career, keeping hygienists up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in dental care.

Hygienists have a high degree of autonomy, often providing care independently with limited supervision.

There are opportunities for specialization within the field, such as pediatrics, periodontics, orthodontics, or cosmetic dentistry.

Becoming a hygienist is rewarding, with the chance to educate patients and improve their daily lives.

Dental hygienists work in a collaborative environment, often pre-screening patients and working closely with other dental team members.

The job requires excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity, with many hygienists being quite artistic and detail-oriented.

Dental hygienists experience a strong sense of accomplishment from the visible impact they have on patients' health and social lives.

Many dental hygienists have long, fulfilling careers, with some working in the field for over 30 years.

The speaker provides a free RDH video checklist for those interested in learning how to become a dental hygienist.

The dental hygiene career is adaptable, suitable for those looking for full-time positions with benefits or part-time flexibility.

The use of loops, or magnifying glasses, is essential for dental hygienists to properly see and work within the small areas of the mouth.

The speaker emphasizes that even if not all points resonate, a few aligning with one's interests can indicate that dental hygiene is a suitable career.

For more information on dental hygiene, viewers are encouraged to visit the speaker's website and social media platforms.

Transcripts

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