What are the Different Dental Hygienist Careers?
There are a variety of different dental hygienist careers that are available to properly trained medical professionals. Dental hygienists can work in an office, hospital, school, or a clinic. The locations and types of dental hygienist careers that are available to a particular individual depend on the person’s education and experience, but they all have one thing in common. Every type of dental hygienist career promotes and helps to maintain the correct oral health in people of all ages.
New graduates with a two-year degree are most likely to start off their professional career in the office of a dentist or another tooth care professional. Dental hygienist careers that begin in the office of a dental professional combine correct tooth care and assistance with a high level of customer service. Office dental assistants work one-on-one with dentists and customers, and these individuals promote proper oral hygiene on a regular basis. They are responsible for cleanings, patient consultations and assisting the doctor with more difficult procedures.
Individuals with on the job experience in a dental office, an advanced education or both may find additional opportunities in the field of dental hygienist careers. Professionals with bachelor’s or master’s degrees can find jobs in teaching, research or public health programs. These dental hygienist careers usually offer more than a career in a dentist office.
Health professionals with an advanced degree not only work with doctors and the public, but they work with other health professionals on important research and health projects. Dental hygienist careers in the research field usually do not work in a office or classroom environment. These professionals work in a lab or another scientific setting on important projects and programs.
The types of dental hygienist careers that require the most education and hands on experience are in the education field. The best, most experienced and most highly educated dental hygiene professionals can become instructors. Instructors work in many different types of school environments. Some work at community colleges or technical schools, while others work at four-year universities.
Whether a person desires to work in a dental office, a hospital, a research facility or a school it is important to get the proper education. For the most flexibility many students choose to acquire a master’s degree. It is the only dental hygienist education that is sure to offer a wide variety of work related choices throughout a person’s career; however, many dental hygienists go back to school in order to move into a different dental hygienist career.
Written by Erika Peterson
