Dental Hygienist Essay

Those looking to join the dental field assume that their only option as a dental hygienist is to apply at a clinic. Although, there is a vast amount of different opportunities available for dental hygienist outside on the dental chair. According to the ADHA, there are over three hundred dental hygiene programs in the U.S. alone. Most hygienists have at least an associate degree, but some get a bachelors and even master's degrees to further their careers. Dental hygienist emphasizes research, but also require coursework. Common graduate courses in dental hygiene include health care management, lab instruction, and clinical instruction.

Dental Hygienist are commonly found in clinical settings. In this setting their main objective is to control

oral diseases by assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, evaluating and documenting treatments for future prevention. With an associate degree dental hygienist are able to work in private dental practices, community clinics, hospitals, university dental clinics, and nursing homes.
Dental hygienist are also found in corporations, where they are employed by companies that support oral health industries through the sales of products and services.

Corporations tend to employ dental hygienists due to their clinical experience and vast knowledge of dental practices. With experience and a associate or bachelor’s degree dental hygienist are able to work in corporate positions including: sales representatives, product researchers, and corporate educators and administrators.

Those in the dental field depend heavily on public health education to spread the importance of good oral hygiene. One of the ways dental hygienist reach the public is by community health programs, that are typically funded by either the government or nonprofit organizations. While in these positions dental hygienists provide care to those who otherwise would not have access to dental care. With an bachelor’s degree dental hygienist are able to take on roles such as clinicians, administrators, researchers, and community clinic

administrators.
Dental hygienists also conduct qualitative or quantitative research. Qualitative research is where dental hygienists try to gain an understanding or insight into problems to develop and test new theories, products or procedures for effectiveness and accuracy. Quantitative research is where dental hygienists use polls, questionnaires and surveys to obtain information. With a bachelor’s or master’s degree dental hygienist can work in colleges and universities, corporations, governmental agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
According to Dr.

Simpkins, “Many dental hygienists that get out of the field due to injuries, switch to a educating/teaching others.”. In fact, colleges like, Atlanta Technical College, prefer dental hygiene instructors who can teach educational theory and methodology to better educate and provide competent oral health care professionals after graduation. Corporations tend to employ educators who provide continuing education to licensed dental hygienist in the field. Examples of education positions include: clinical instructors, classroom instructors, and program directors.

Dental hygienists are also needed in administrative positions, they identify and manage resources using their communication skills. While also evaluating and modifying programs of health, education and health care. Dental hygienist that gain a master’s degree have a opportunity to obtain administrative positions that include: clinical directors, program directors in dental hygiene education programs, and executive directors of state associations’

staff.
Dental hygienists that use their creativity and imagination to initiate or finance new commercial enterprises are called entrepreneurs. Typically if a dental hygienist wants to become a entrepreneur they would need to gain a master’s degree and have vast amounts of experience. Careers that follow could be product development and sales representative, practice management companies, employment services, consulting businesses, independent clinical practice, and professional speakers and writers.
In conclusion, dental hygienists are not limited to working in a clinical setting there are many opportunities offered and available outside of the dental chair. Depending on the degree held and experience of a dental hygienist one can become an entrepreneur, administrative representative, a professor, a researcher, a clinician or even work with the public. Though continuing ones’ education increases the amount of salary one only has to decide on a path and the options are endless.