Hey everyone! I am excited for where life is taking me at the moment... actually I think I am just excited that the hardest part of dental hygiene school is behind me so I feel like I have my whole life ahead of me finally!! When in a rigorious full-time academic program such as dental hygiene it is difficult to work a job and have any sort of normal consistent schedule like you when having a full-time job. Let's admit it, being in school full-time is worse then having a full-time job! You could say it's like working a 40 hour work week with 20 hours of overtime!!! The work you do outside of school really adds up! I'm sure many of you remembers those days or can currently relate. I am so glad I made the decision to go to school though! Despite the difficulties (I had plenty), I feel like I have made it even though I am not yet done!
Did you know to become a licensed dental hygienist in the State of Florida you must take 5 board examinations?!? (1) National Board, (1) Local Anesthesia Certification exam, (1) State Computerized exam, (1) Clinical exam (when I actually have to clean someone's teeth), and (1) Juris Prudence (fancy words for FL State Laws exam).... INSANE, RIGHT!? I have completed (pending results) on the first 3 exams listed! The last two exams will be taken during the month of April and May. According to U.S News, dental hygienist was ranked #4 on a list of Best Health Care Jobs of 2015! I believe this post was going based on salary (avg. 59k-85k annually), however there are many more benefits to a career as a dental hygienist then just money. Yes, we need money to survive and it was a motivating factor for me to continue my education, but it is really a great job. I wanted to work less and make more- that's what everyone wants, right? That is why I decided to continue my education from dental assisting to becoming a dental hygienist!
Dental hygienists generally work Monday-Thursday since many dental offices are closed on Fridays. Granted there are many offices now open on Fridays, nights, and weekends to accommodate the working person. Hygienists usually work an 8-10 hour day and get to care for patients over all needs (not just their teeth!). When patients return to see you on a 3-6 month basis you really get to develop a relationship with them and get to know them and their families. You become apart of their lives. I love helping people and people in general, so to be able to develop these relationships is very important to me. As a dental assistant you are not the main provider for the patient so you don't develop the same sort of relationships. Dental hygienists also have a little more flexibility in their schedules then a dental assistant does. Many hygienists are able to work for multiple doctors spending as little as 1-2 days in a particular practice. For a person who likes variety and change, this may be the position for you!
So as a dental hygienist you just "clean teeth'" right? FAR FROM IT! As a dental hygienist the main focus of your education is examination of the head and neck of your patients, however we are also trained and educated to do much more then that! Many people don't know that the mouth in the opening to the rest of the body and that you can tell a lot about a person's overall health based on the health of their mouth. We have been trained to be able to spot abnormalities in our patients as we treat them. I have seen visible signs of diabetes, hypertension/heart disease, and active herpes virus. I can tell whether a patient is taking a medication that is effecting their mouth and can consult the patient to help them combat these nasty oral side effects by means of a dental product that I have researched. We are health care providers and are many times the first provider to note signs of oral and skin cancer along with other overall health care changes since our patients see us so regularly.
Needless to say, being a hygienist involves much more then just "cleaning teeth". We are the first line of defense when it comes to spotting and treating Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease). Early diagnosis and treatment of Periodontal Disease is so important if we are going to prevent further break down of the periodontium (bone and gum that support the teeth). I will be blogging further in depth about Periodontal Disease- the cause and prevention later down the road, so come back for that!
Needless to say, being a hygienist involves much more then just "cleaning teeth". We are the first line of defense when it comes to spotting and treating Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease). Early diagnosis and treatment of Periodontal Disease is so important if we are going to prevent further break down of the periodontium (bone and gum that support the teeth). I will be blogging further in depth about Periodontal Disease- the cause and prevention later down the road, so come back for that!
I truly feel that becoming a dental hygienst is a great way to be able to work less, make more, help people/touch people lives, and still have a life beyond the job. I am a spiritual person with many spiritual goals. I intend to use the flexible schedule that becoming a hygienist has given me to serve God more fully!
Think you might be interested in joining the ranks of a great profession of people who want to make a difference in people's lives? Google search to locate a local college with a Dental Hygiene Program or:
For more information about the Dental Hygiene Program at St. Petersburg College click the link HERE
Are you currently a registered dental hygienist? Considering continuing your education? St. Petersburg College offers an ALL ONLINE Bachelor's Degree Completion Program. Click HERE to learn more!
On a little side note before I go... I purchased a MacBook Air and I am super excited to be carrying this little device around more often (it's SOO light) in hopes to have more convince for blogging! I also have a little more time on my hands since studying for school will be minimal from now on!!
What are your educational goals? What do you currently do for work? Do you love it?!
Leave a comment below! I would love to hear!
What are your educational goals? What do you currently do for work? Do you love it?!
Leave a comment below! I would love to hear!
