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So, you are thinking about becoming a dental hygienist? There are many perks to working in this field. One is that most positions in this field are part time and very flexible. Normal business hours are another great perk to seeking out a job as a dental hygienist. Let’s talk about what a dental hygienist does and what it takes to become one.

Job Description

A dental hygienist cleans hard and soft deposits from a patient’s teeth. They teach patients good oral hygiene and provide other preventative dental care. They use many tools to perform their job. They mostly use instruments to clean teeth and remove plaque, tarter and stains. Some hygienists, depending on location and the dentist, may also give anesthetics, place filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings, remove stitches and polish metal restorations. Hygienists work in clean dental offices that produce good lighting so that they are able to see defects on the teeth. They are required to wear safety glasses, surgical masks, and gloves to protect from disease. Most of the time, hygienists are hired by dentists to work two to three days a week, so it is not uncommon for a hygienist to work in two different offices.

Job Requirements

If you would like to become a dental hygienist, a degree from a dental hygienist program is required. To be accepted into the program, you must have a high school diploma and good college entrance test scores. Associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees are offered. After graduating, you must be licensed by the state in which you practice.

Salary Expectations

Median annual wages for a dental hygienist were $66,570 in May 2008. The highest ten percent of these more than $91,000! Wages, of course, vary by location, employment setting, and years of experience. About half of these dental hygienists also receive benefits that include, paid vacation, sick leave, and retirement plans.

Job Outlook

Because some hygienists will hold more than one position, the number of jobs exceeds the number of hygienists. They rank among the fastest growing occupations. Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow thirty six percent through 2018. The demand for dental services will continue to grow as the population grows. To meet this demand, more dentists are hiring more dental hygienists to perform services that, in the past, have been performed by the dentists themselves.

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