8 answers
8 answers
Updated
Leilani’s Answer
Dental Hygienist here for 15 years and still loving it!
You need to have a passion for oral health care because it does affects the overall health. Educating your patients with compassion and honesty will results in great rapport and trust. Be willing continue to learn more about new and improve dental care and great informations you can share with your patients. Don’t be afraid to tell them what they need to contribute to have a better oral care and maintain it. Being a hygienist is very fulfilling, because you are helping educate people about the affects of their oral health to the rest of their body.
You need to have a passion for oral health care because it does affects the overall health. Educating your patients with compassion and honesty will results in great rapport and trust. Be willing continue to learn more about new and improve dental care and great informations you can share with your patients. Don’t be afraid to tell them what they need to contribute to have a better oral care and maintain it. Being a hygienist is very fulfilling, because you are helping educate people about the affects of their oral health to the rest of their body.
Updated
Vaneshia’s Answer
Hi I have been a dental assistant for 15 years and I agree with both advice given. Dentistry is so much more than just teeth. It is a thing that I say we are changing lives one smile at a time. It is a rewarding profession no matter what position you choose. Your family dentist is a great first place to get advice if this is a profession you want to pursue. This is a profession that depends on your love for people, using your hands, and learning to think and be a problem solver, as well as an educator because everything that supports your body starts with your mouth. As they say," You are what you eat." In my own words if you love people and want to change a person's life and see how it makes them feel when they leave you. This is the right profession for you.
Updated
Vaneshia’s Answer
Hi I have been a dental assistant for 15 years and I agree with both advice given. Dentistry is so much more than just teeth. It is a thing that I say we are changing lives one smile at a time. It is a rewarding profession no matter what position you choose. Your family dentist is a great first place to get advice if this is a profession you want to pursue. This is a profession that depends on your love for people, using your hands, and learning to think and be a problem solver, as well as an educator because everything that supports your body starts with your mouth. As they say," You are what you eat." In my own words if you love people and want to change a person's life and see how it makes them feel when they leave you. This is the right profession for you.
Updated
Kim’s Answer
23 years in the dental field, 18 as a dental hygienist...
1) there is a high burn-out rate. Find something else aside from traditional day to day functions that
is rewarding. I like to learn about and build relationships with my patients. Also, take care of your body to avoid burn-out.
2) dental hygienists are highly trained preventative specialists, sometimes that can mean just creating an environment where patients feel comfortable and return for routine care. In WA State RDHs are required to take a suicide prevention class to maintain licensure
3)the dental community can be smaller than you think. Build those contacts and support each other without burning bridges.
Hope this helps.
1) there is a high burn-out rate. Find something else aside from traditional day to day functions that
is rewarding. I like to learn about and build relationships with my patients. Also, take care of your body to avoid burn-out.
2) dental hygienists are highly trained preventative specialists, sometimes that can mean just creating an environment where patients feel comfortable and return for routine care. In WA State RDHs are required to take a suicide prevention class to maintain licensure
3)the dental community can be smaller than you think. Build those contacts and support each other without burning bridges.
Hope this helps.
Updated
Carole’s Answer
I have been a hygienist for over 40 years!
1. Building trust with patients is the #1 most important value you will bring to your patients, your office, and yourself. Be heartfelt and honest about your career and your patients will probably trust you more than the dentist.
2. Find an office that appreciates you and allows you to use all of your skills. Be happy. Life is short and offices vary greatly. I worked the last 26 years 3 days a week. As a working parent, it was exceptional! I work in a progressive, passionate office.
3 Take as may continuation courses possible. It is important to be well versed in all aspects of the field. Patients need to be aware of changing techniques, new information is always out there, and home care products are always getting better. Be an encyclopedia of information for your patients. You will not burn out if you are constantly challenged and stimulated. It is a great field!
Most offices are open to the idea of allowing you to shadow them to see how they operate.
1. Building trust with patients is the #1 most important value you will bring to your patients, your office, and yourself. Be heartfelt and honest about your career and your patients will probably trust you more than the dentist.
2. Find an office that appreciates you and allows you to use all of your skills. Be happy. Life is short and offices vary greatly. I worked the last 26 years 3 days a week. As a working parent, it was exceptional! I work in a progressive, passionate office.
3 Take as may continuation courses possible. It is important to be well versed in all aspects of the field. Patients need to be aware of changing techniques, new information is always out there, and home care products are always getting better. Be an encyclopedia of information for your patients. You will not burn out if you are constantly challenged and stimulated. It is a great field!
Most offices are open to the idea of allowing you to shadow them to see how they operate.
Updated
Jason’s Answer
I'm not in the dental field but one of my good friends became a dentist recently. Based on his experience I would suggest
*networking with dental professionals (your own dentist could be a good place to start!) and figuring out what kind of environments you like
*understanding the cost of training programs and what they offer you
*being prepared for a lot of demands, from dealing with insurance to managing patients
*networking with dental professionals (your own dentist could be a good place to start!) and figuring out what kind of environments you like
*understanding the cost of training programs and what they offer you
*being prepared for a lot of demands, from dealing with insurance to managing patients
Updated
Kelsey’s Answer
Hi Wone (:
Dental hygienist here!! There are so many things I love about dental hygiene. As a student, I debated going to hygiene school or going to dental school. I chose dental hygiene for many reasons, but these might be the top 3 reasons: 1.) your overall health is affected by the health of your mouth! I love being able to teach patients this. 2.) work flexibility & great pay. 3.) you are an oral health care provider who serves just an important role as other dental providers, but you get to spend more time with patients. You build trust & connections with your patients. Let me know if I can be of anymore help! Good luck to you! (:
Dental hygienist here!! There are so many things I love about dental hygiene. As a student, I debated going to hygiene school or going to dental school. I chose dental hygiene for many reasons, but these might be the top 3 reasons: 1.) your overall health is affected by the health of your mouth! I love being able to teach patients this. 2.) work flexibility & great pay. 3.) you are an oral health care provider who serves just an important role as other dental providers, but you get to spend more time with patients. You build trust & connections with your patients. Let me know if I can be of anymore help! Good luck to you! (: