Dental hygienists save lives!
Teeth cleaning is just one part of being a dental hygienist. Dental hygienists give treatments for gum disease, which can help prevent other health issues like heart attacks.
Does this sound like the career for you?
What Does A Dental Hygienist Do?
Photo by Yusuf Belek on UnsplashAlong with cleaning your teeth, dental hygienists also:
Teach you about good oral hygiene (like how to brush your teeth)
Take x-rays of your teeth to spot cavities and other problems
Put sealants and fluoride on your teeth to protect them
Add information to your dental records
Help the dentist during your visit
Do Dental Hygienists Use Technology On The Job?
Yes! Dental hygienists use the following technological tools to get the job done:
X-ray machines and processing software
Dental equipment like the fancy chair you sit in and the part that squirts water in your mouth
Dental software to add information to your file
Productivity software such as word files and spreadsheets
Accounting software to keep track of your bills
Photo by Sam Moqadam on Unsplash
Quiz
A typical day in the life of a dental hygienist might include...
Who Can Be A Dental Hygienist?
It's a misconception that only women can be dental hygienists. In the video below, Whitney talks about gender in dental hygiene.
Anyone who wants to work with their hands, build relationships with people, and has a passion for teeth would be great at this job!
How Can I Become A Dental Hygienist?
To work as a dental hygienist, you'll need the following:
At least an associate's degree
Clinical experience (this could be up to 2,000 hours)
License (for US: www.adha.org and for CA: www.hss.gov.nt.ca)
On average, you can make:
$37/hr. or $77,000/yr. USD
$42/hr. or $100,000/yr CAD
Quiz
Sam just graduated from high school and has decided to become a dental hygienist. What's Sam's next step?
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