Nurse Vs. Dental Hygienist
Although doctors and dentists undergo difficult and long training, they still require the help of nurses and dental hygienists to lighten the heavy workload. Nurses and dental hygienists take care of the preliminary requirements before a patient is seen by the doctor or dentist.
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Function
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Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses aid in the quality care of patients at hospitals and doctor's offices. Dental hygienists work with dentists to clean and prepare a patient's teeth for a checkup. Both professions experience close encounters with patients, including bodily fluids, daily.
Patient Care
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Nurses are exposed to a wider variety of patient encounters than a dental hygienist. For instance, a nurse may take a blood sample or examine a broken ankle while a dental hygienist works exclusively in the mouth of the patient.
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Work Environment
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The majority of nurses are employed at hospitals, while others work for private practices, clinics and schools. Almost all dental hygienists work at private dental practices. Nurses often work various shifts, while dental hygienists generally work regular office hours.
Training
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Both nurses and dental hygienists undergo formal training or schooling before beginning their career. Dental hygiene programs can typically be completed at a technical school or college in two years or less. Schooling to become a registered nurse typically takes two or more years at a college or university.
Qualifications
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Most states have specific exams pertaining to nursing or dental hygiene. An individual wanting to obtain a job in either field must pass the exam. Sometimes these exams are known as "boards."
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