Special Skills for Being a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists have one of the most hands-on jobs in the medical profession. Their work takes place inside their charges' mouths, often in stressful or pain-staking conditions. In part due to their invasive duties, dental hygienists require specialized training and experience to prepare for their careers, no tooth fairies necessary.
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Brushing Up
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The most common way dental hygienists "brush up" on the skills required for their careers is through a two-year associate degree program at an American Dental Association-accredited technical school or university. While four-year bachelor programs and even master's degree programs exist, they're much less common than the traditional associate degree. Hundreds of schools offer programs across the country, including more than 12 in North Carolina, such as Wayne Community College, Central Carolina Community College, Cape Fear Community College and Catawba Valley Community College.
Required Courses
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Dental hygienists open their minds wide and say "ahh" to courses that give them the skills to conduct patient exams, diagnose minor problems and do cleanings. At dental hygiene programs such as the one at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, students take courses in dental hygiene theory, anatomy and physiology, dental radiography, infection and hazard control, oral pathology, dental health, periodontology, dental office emergencies and community dental health.
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Additional Skills
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Although most patients fear the dentist rather than the dental hygienist, the sheer act of having to walk through the dental practice doors may lead to panic or nerves. Dental hygienists require calm, soothing manners since they're often care for the patient prior to the dentist arriving for an examination. The ability to help patients relax and get ready for the sometimes invasive procedures may not be something teachable at a post-secondary level. Schools also may require prospective dental hygienists to take general education courses to gain skills such as public speaking, psychology, expository writing and critical thinking.
Mental Floss
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Prospective dental hygienists must think in advance for a successful career. After completing their education in the field, candidates take the American Dental Association's Joint Commission on National Dental Examination to earn their licenses, but licenses are not reciprocal. Licensing is on a per-state basis, which means that a dental hygienist who moves to a new state will have to retake the exam in that state prior to obtaining employment.
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References
- Photo Credit Dentist at work in dental room image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
