The specific duties assigned and permissible to, be performed by a dental hygienist can vary from dental office to dental office, and in fact can be different from state to state or the east coast to the west coast. The entire dental profession is undergoing a massive sea change, and there are ample detractors from progressives to traditionalists.
There are a number of variables that are dictated by the controls established by each state, even though all states license practitioners, through the examination proffered and administered by the ADA, or American Dental Association. What appears to be happening is the liberalization of certain dental services that used to be in the strict domain of the licensed dentist.
Some states will allow a hygienist to perform some of the tasks previously restricted to the dentist, while others are very restrictive and the guidelines limit many things that are customary for only a trained and accredited dentist to engage.
It is for these reasons that any potential aspirant be thoroughly aware of the rules required in a state they may wish to establish a practice. The unfortunate reality is that current industry trends, including shrinking insurance reimbursement rates, coupled with the rise of corporate dentistry and the overall diminished economy pose, at least three relatively recent and increasingly daunting challenges for private practice dentists above and beyond the usual competitive market.
It is possible that a certain amount of politics is involved since many of the old school dentists fanatically cling to the restrictions, while younger and more liberal dentists are more inclined to pass some maintenance duties to the hygienist and free themselves for more complicated procedures requiring the skills and training unavailable to the hygienist.
How Do You Begin The Process To Become A Professional?
It is vital to be completely honest with yourself when you answer the following, “What do I want out of life, and what am I willing to do to gain it?” Too many people delude themselves into challenges, goals and illusions that are totally unrealistic. These individuals more often than not end up with broken dreams and a series of career failures that keep pushing them perilously close to insolvency.
They look at the potential for acquiring a profitable salary and the possible ease by which it might be accomplished. What they fail to observe is the commitment of academics and financial funding required to achieving graduation and licensure, and the eventual hard work that accompanies the acquisition of a measure of middle class wealth through this profession.
They anoint themselves with a false sense of discipline that, slowly but surely, unravels as they lose focus and, are easily distracted from their original sense of purpose or goal. These ill-informed individuals are somehow easily able to look past historical behavior and habits to assume that they can emerge as new candidates with stronger and more purposeful pursuits.
As I said before, this process begins with the capacity to ask the right questions, and a refusal to entertain anything but the most honest and truthful answers. The first question can be as simple as, “Can I see a future in healthcare?”
If your response to the first question is that you do desire a healthcare career in the service of others, helping others through, a provision of medical services, and enjoying the financial rewards of an above average annual salary and future job security, then, you may continue to the second important question.
If your honest assessment is that your personality type is not engaging around people. That, you are far more comfortable working on your own than in the company of others. That, you are prone to feel anxious and uncomfortable in clinical environments, and are squeamish in coming in contact with persons afflicted by physical oral disorders or ailments, then, you should probably stop here and consider a different career.
Again, it is vital that you take a long hard look at all or as many of the potential negative aspects of this occupation before you make the commitment of time and money to gain admission to practice this profession. Student loans will not go away simply because you have changed your mind.
Being True To Yourself
The second question is where many people fail themselves. While they might see themselves conquering any number of notable or high profile careers, including the healthcare field of dental hygiene, what they fail to see is the hard work, self-sacrifice, and discipline that are required to accomplish such success.
If you have a solid personal history of achievement in high school, business or other life events, then it is more than probable that, you can stay on course to successfully graduate and enjoy the rewards that come with, a private practice and the flexibility to call your own shots.
If on the other hand you were never very academically ambitious in school, your grades reflected a lackadaisical approach to your education, and a disorganized and undisciplined lifestyle, it is highly probable that nothing has changed, and you’ll quickly fall behind in the academic requirements for this profession.
While this is certainly not a given, because stories abound about the people who have overcome lives filled with trauma, strife and hardship to accomplish great things and earn the respect of their communities and more. The question is, are you one of those people? Will you set the bar high and then, never deviate until you can honestly say, “I made it”?
General Outlook
If you have your heart set on this career, there are several things that you need to look out for, and a number of traps to avoid when considering training programs. By this time in your research, you may be aware that this profession is in the top thirty fastest growing occupations in America, and that the average dental hygienist salary is approximately $70,000.
Additional research exposes the fact that this profession also offers superlative job security. In all probability the fact that job growth of over 30% is expected at least through 2018 and beyond means, that for those who graduate from dental schools over the next three to five years should experience remarkably easy hiring opportunities in most if not all of the highest paying regions around the country.
Jobs are going to remain abundant for decades to come, but it must be understood that the primary drawback to all of this, is that gaining entry to this field is not going to be as easy as one might think. As in the search for the Holy Grail, the difficulty will lie in just finding, the right scholastic admission.
Choosing The Right School
Your research in this profession should have led you to the point that, you are now prepared to examine the requirements and education necessary to prepare you for this avocation. There are many schools located throughout the United States, but it is important that you find the right program that is the best for you and your budget.
The first requirement for academic entry to hygienist programs is, that you have a high school diploma or at least a GED. Additionally, many schools will require that a candidate have successfully completed courses in science, chemistry and biology as prerequisites for their programs. The second is that you only consider schools that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or ADA.
Scholastic Accreditation
Unless you are a graduate of a school accredited by CODA, you will be unable to qualify to take a state-licensing exam. Imagine the frustration and outrage of wasting all that time and money, and then discovering that you are ineligible to take the state exam to begin practicing in this profession.
Unfortunately for you, all student loans will still be due and payable regardless. Don’t take any unnecessary risks with your future at stake, find out if the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredits the program you’re considering.
For most scholastic environments, the average of 86 credit hours in dental hygiene is required to attain an associate’s degree, but if you can afford to attain a baccalaureate degree, you only need 122 credit hours. And the difference in salary you can then command will be, well worth the additional investment.
The majority of colleges offer programs that are semester based, and almost 40% may include summer study programs to shorten the length of time it takes to graduate. Very few programs, perhaps as little as 15%, offer any type of part-time curriculum, but distance-learning opportunities by up to 36% of schools, are also available and are becoming the standard for busy adults with financial responsibilities.
{ 0 comments }
