The Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects dental hygienist jobs to grow by 11% by the year 2030. In order to take advantage of this higher-than-average growth rate and respectable salary, you need to take the necessary steps to become a dental employee.
In this article, we discuss how to pursue a dental hygienist career. This includes dental hygienist education and what to expect from a dental hygienist’s salary. Continue reading if you want to enjoy this promising career.
If you want to become a dental hygienist, you have to complete the appropriate dental hygienist education. This requires accreditation through the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Most programs require two years to complete, though some universities offer four-year programs. During this part of your dental hygienist career, you’ll supplement your hands-on, practical knowledge with liberal arts and science education.
Additional courses, such as those in anesthesia, are required by accredited programs. Some students choose to add courses in business and public health as well.
After completing the required education, you must obtain your licensure. A license is required as a dental employee at this level. You receive your license once you’ve successfully completed the National Board Dental Examination (NBDHE).
A practical exam is an additional requirement. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, some states allow the use of a manikin. In the past, the practical exam had to be taken on a live patient.
Dental hygienist training is the ideal next step following licensure. Some dental hygienist jobs require previous experience from applicants. This can make finding a job difficult.
However, some jobs provide the necessary dental hygienist training for new graduates. This means you can get on-the-job training from experienced dental hygienists. Having this mentor-mentee experience is helpful in developing your skills.
The projected growth rate of dental hygienist jobs, which is 11%, considers the need to replace professionals transferring to other fields or those who will retire.
In order to take advantage of this growth rate, finding the right job is essential. For this reason, the search engine you use is especially important.
While your main goal is to apply for jobs that fit your education and experience level, don’t be afraid to apply for jobs you may be slightly underqualified for. Some jobs may not mind slightly less experience.
The average dental hygienist salary is $35.70 per hour in the state of Ohio. This number decreases to $31.52 for newer graduates with less than 1 year of experience and increases to $42.67 for more than 10 years of experience.
Becoming a dental employee is a potentially lucrative career decision. Once you’ve completed your dental hygienist education and training, you just need to find the best dental hygienist jobs for the best salary available.
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