...Furthering Your Dental Assisting Education INTRODUCTION With today’s economy, college students need to be completely informed with the chosen career path they are heading into. Choosing a career path with little to no chance of success would be a total waste of money, effort, and time. The problem with dental assisting is there is not as many vast opportunities to succeed in this career as there are for an individual who is interested in becoming a dental hygienist. CAREER ANALYSIS OF DENTAL ASSISTANTS America’s Career InfoNet states the definition of a dental assistant is to assist the dentist, set up the equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep precise records. Dental assistants work alongside the dentist to provide assistance during dental procedures. They sterilize and disinfect instruments to prepare materials required to treat each patient. Assistants also create a warm, welcoming environment for the patients before, during, and after treatment (United States, “Dental Assistants”). Additionally, there is a list of different practice settings available for assistants; group practices, solo practices, and orthodontic settings are available to name a few (“Dental Assistants”). In most states, dental assistants can learn their skills on the job; however, in order for assistants to perform more advanced functions, many states require assistants to obtain at least a certificate or even a license. Two year programs lead to an associate’s degree. These programs are...
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...Dental hygiene has become one of the fastest growing profession in healthcare. Some people might ask a dental hygiene degree worth the stress that comes with getting the degree? stress is due to the effort and time students put into becoming a dental hygienist. Although some people say dental hygiene very hard, being a dental hygienist as a career can get you good benefit, education and social interaction. Firstly, the good benefit of having a dental hygiene career includes schedule flexibility and high salary that comes with the degree. The typical working hours for most workers in other profession are 9am to 5pm weekdays. Meanwhile, dental hygiene is known to work a more flexible hour. Dental hygiene working hour varies from...
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...There are many different career paths and a variety of jobs for people to choose. Different people are suited for different jobs. I have chosen to pursue my education as a dental hygienist because I feel this career is suitable for me. I know good dental hygiene is very significant throughout life. Helping others to accomplish strong dental hygiene is essential and a goal of mine. I feel this profession will provide me with a rewarding hands-on job and interaction with many individuals. Dental hygiene is a vigorous and challenging career that offers teamwork, personal growth, fulfillment, extraordinary benefits and it is the perfect career envisioned for me. With background knowledge as a licensed expanded function dental assistant, the dental hygienist is a valuable member of the dental team providing patient care. Qualities essential for a good dental hygienist include compassion and the ability to communicate well with others, two qualities that fit my personality. I love the thought of knowing that I have made a positive impact upon an individual’s health. I work as an expanded function dental assistant at an office in Jonestown, so I understand what it takes to become a dental hygienist....
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...Dental Hygienist One that might want to pursue a career in the medical field might choose dental hygiene. The overlooked career requires one to be “compassionate and sympathetic with patients, as only medical treatment can be distressing” (Colleges and Degrees). This health profession is designed as a job that “provides services to promote optimal oral health care for the public” (Bonnie Kendall). This profession is vital to our public as dental care is a necessity to maintain good hygiene. An Associate’s degree is the normal “requirement for starting a career as a dental hygienist.” Some courses associated with the degree include: anatomy and physiology, medical science, radiology, and clinical skills. A Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree are also optional for one trying to gain advanced skills in the profession (Colleges and Degrees). The process of getting licensed varies by state. However, “in most states, a degree from an accredited dental hygiene program and passing grades on written and clinical examinations is required.” It is mandatory for dental hygienists to continue the education process to keep their...
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...Thesis Based on my research, I should stay on my current career path. Background I am planning to pursue a degree in Dental Hygiene. According to me, dental hygiene is a very manageable career. I wouldn’t want to work night shifts, so a profession like dental hygiene would be perfect for me. I like to be hands-on and I love the tools that dental hygienists use. Criteria I established three criteria in order of importance that describes why I want to stay on my current career path which is Dental Hygiene: • Salary • Work schedule • Job opportunities Research Methods According to the databases, I searched topics like best jobs for the 21st century, I read some books on most demanding careers, I looked at a case-study of a man who choose dental hygiene as a profession and how satisfied he is of the decision he made. I also interviewed my dental hygienist and asked him/her questions regarding life as a dental hygienist. Research Findings I will research: • How much will I earn. I used Ronald & Carly Rae Krannich’s book, The Best Jobs for the 21st Century, in which I found out information regarding salary. The salary of a dental hygienist is between $33,000- $60,000 per year and it is stated under one of the best paying jobs ( Krannich 101). I think $33,000 is a pretty good starting salary for a single person. The best part is that as you get more experienced, the higher your pay gets. You have so many benefits, like health insurance that is covered by your employer...
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...Dental Hygienist Career Dental Hygienists are the people that are there for others to rely on even though the job can be stressful, and sometimes physically demanding. Even with these negative factors if someone is passionate about the job they should continue to study the profession. In order to understand what it takes to become a dental hygienist one has to comprehend the core tasks, employment outlook, education requirements, and the job salary. Examining teeth and gums visually and with x-rays to find tooth decay and gum disease, reporting problems to the dentist, scraping hard built-up material off of teeth, polishing the patients’ teeth, keeping track of patients’ dental records, and giving advice on preventive dental care are...
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...my mind several times on what I wanted to pursue as my career after graduation. As a senior, I have realized that all along, the dentistry field has been one of my many interests. Unlike many children, growing up as a child I have always enjoyed going to the dentist office for my teeth cleanings. Now that I am 17 and graduating in the next five months, I have decided that the Human and Health Services field, Dental Hygiene in particular, is the career pathway that I am most interested in and would like to pursue further after graduation. In pursuing this occupation, I understand that there are many personality traits that I must present. Since Dental Hygienists are around people each day at work, a hygienist must be outgoing, ambitious, and willing to interact with several different types of people. One must also get along with his or her co-workers, be a hard worker, and be willing to adapt to change that may occur in their workplace; these would be considered as required personality traits to excel in this occupation. As a Dental Hygienist, you are considered to be a specially trained health care professional who help to maintain the dental health of patients and also prevent oral health problems that may occur due to poor oral hygiene habits and techniques (Dental Hygienist). Dental Hygienists see their patients for their routine appointments every six months where they receive a teeth exam and cleaning. As Dental Hygienists, many different tasks are to be performed daily...
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...Deep Analysis into the career of Dental Hygiene “Every tooth in a man's head is more valuable than a diamond.”- Miguel de Cervantes Keeping ones teeth resilient and healthy is the central job of a dental hygienist. They assist the dentist by examining teeth & gums, analyzing x-rays, cleaning teeth and helping teach good oral hygiene. My goal is to become a dental hygienist because of the astonishing job outlook, my fascination in dental hygiene, and the minimal education requirements. Nature of the Work Although depending on the state one is in the regulations regarding tasks and responsibilities can range. A very loose definition of a dental hygienist according to Dictionary.com is “a person who is trained and licensed...
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...Dictionary, a dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who cleans and examines teeth. However, in my eyes a dental hygienist is much more than that. A dental hygienist is a teacher, more the less a friend. A friend who inspires you to be the best you can, and choose the right choices when it comes to oral health. Our smile is what defines us; it is the first thing we notice about each other. Smiling should be contagious! I want my patients to be able to benefit from me, in being self-confident about whom they are, and not be anxious to smile. I did not always want to be a dental hygienist. When I was younger, I fantasized of becoming a veterinarian, and later decided on being an Optometrist instead. It wasn’t until I graduated high school and started working in a dental clinic, that I soon fell in love with the atmosphere. I knew right away what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. One of the reasons I have chosen dental hygiene as a career path is because I want to be able to give back to the Chickasaw Nation. I am Native American and have received multiple scholarships for school, and would like to work for the nation in the future. I want to educate my fellow natives about proper dental care, and become a care giver who can be trusted. By working...
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...four years to receive my bachelors degree in Dental Hygiene. I plan to major in biology and I hope to minor in art if that option is possible. I will be in some clubs and I plan to get an internship sometime in college to better my understandings as a dental hygienist. Also, while I am in college I plan to do a work-study program. I want to study dental hygiene because I have a big interest in anatomy and biology. Also, I want to learn more about oral care and how I can help others with their own dental hygiene. I feel that becoming a dental hygienist fits me well because I am very good in science and I also communicate well with others, which is the traits dental hygienists need. Also, dental hygienists do a lot of hands-on work and knowing that I like to do hands-on activities too, I feel this career would suit me well. Before getting my bachelors degree in dental hygiene, I want to major in biology because I want to better my understandings of the different structures and functions of the body. Also, I have always been interested in different science classes throughout high school, so learning more about biology would be good for me. I also have the thought of minoring...
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...Dental hygiene is something that I take particularly serious, seeing as my parents spent their hard earned money to make my smile as healthy and as beautiful as possible. The decision to become a dental hygienist stemmed from all the years of dental check ups, braces, and constant reminders from my mother to brush my teeth. A dental hygienist is not a dentist, but really just a dental assistant with a longer chore list; they are the people you see before the dentist who clean your teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases, and provide for other preventive dental care. The decision to become a dental hygienist came about through a familial influence; and I suppose the thought of making close to 72 thousand dollars a year is not a defeating...
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...My primary interest as a professional is a dental hygienist. Societal influences in Modern America particularly in the marketing of food products, virtually assure a growing demand for dental hygienists. These products include sugar and most often high fructose corn syrup, both powerful promoters of tooth decay and gum disease. Marketing is a powerful influence and it affects choices of many individuals in both their diet and oral health. An overabundance of sugary products combined with inadequate daily hygiene assures the necessity of a professional dental hygienist. Qualities and traits I believe a professional dental hygienist must possess to succeed include organizational skills, reliability and the ability to maintain good relationships...
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...Although there are many different career paths, the dental hygiene field suits me best. A dental hygienist is a very important member of the dental field. They are compassionate and love to help others with preventative oral care. From a very young age and with frequent visits to the dentist I learned how important oral care is and what the consequences of not taking proper care of your teeth can carry. I have learned those consequences from personal experience. I love knowing my career will have a positive impact in the lives of many people. Furthermore, as a dental hygienist there are flexible schedules which will make it easy to help others and still have time for family. I will strive to be the best in the dental hygiene field as I can be. I grew up in a family of six, three brothers and both parents. My parents both worked full-time jobs, making it hard for them to spend time with us. They did make it a big point to always take care of our teeth. My mom scheduled weekly visits to the dentist up until the age of fourteen. At that age I decided it wasn’t necessary to continue visits every six months and developed an infection that nearly cost me part of my jawbone. After weeks of treatment at the dental office and plenty of medication I was able to...
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...Ever since a child I dreamt of a career working with animals. I begun working at an animal shelter while attending school for an associates degree in Veterinary Science. I then got a job working as a veterinary assistant to begin my journey in the animal health field. My career goal came to a screeching halt when I came to the bitter realization this it not what I envisioned for my life. I was left feeling hopeless. I asked myself a question I never thought I would ask again; "What do I want to do with my life"? I searched for an answer to my question with no avail. I racked my brain for answers, I knew I wasn't interested in an average office job. I've always been interesting in science specifically anatomy. I contemplated other health...
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...deciding to apply to the prestigious Dental Hygiene program. Although I have always been quite certain of my career path in the dental field, job shadowing several offices and hygienists made me seal the deal on pursing my goals. While the time I spent in the dentist offices made me realize my path was on the right course, it also lit a fire inside of me. I was so eager for the new semester to start at Southeastern just so I could finish my prerequisites and apply to LSUDHS and start my career of being a dental hygienist myself. From my previous experience with dental work such as orthodontics, I learned first hand the amount of confidence a beautiful smile can bring someone. Improving the health and lives of others, in my opinion, is the most rewarding part of being a dental hygienist....
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