By: Sara Brooks RDH, BS
Here are 5 reasons to become a Dental Hygienist:
- Pay: You get paid well per hour.
- Hours: The hours are usually 8 to 5.
- No nights or Holidays: Most dental offices close on major Holidays.
- Only need Associates degree: Meaning only 2 years of school.
- So easy: Sit on your butt all day.
JUST KIDDING! I hate to burst your bubble, but those are all the wrong reasons to become a Dental Hygienist.
They are all an easy way to become burned out at any job. Don’t get me wrong, those are nice reasons but definitely not the main drive to decide on any career. Becoming a Dental Hygienist is no easy task. School is demanding and trying. The job can be tough at times also. If you have the passion and drive, you can do anything you put your mind to.
5 Real and Realistic Reasons to Become a Dental Hygienist
Let’s try that again. Here are some good and realistic reasons to become a Dental Hygienist:
1. You notice a person’s smile first.
Are you thinking about going into the health care field and not sure what direction to take? If you notice a person’s smile first, this could be for you. To me, and every dental professional, the first thing we notice on a person, is their smile. A smile can tell a lot about a person and their overall health. Everyone wants a nice, white smile but that takes work to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Black color on teeth could mean decay or calculus build-up. Red, puffy, bleeding gums show signs of gum disease. If the smile is the first thing you notice on a person, dental hygiene may be for you.
2. You care for other people.
As a Dental Hygienist you have to care for people, and not just care for their oral health, but even mental health. You should love getting to know people and value earning their trust. Most people have some sort of dental phobia and become nervous just by being in the dental office.
Greet patients with a smile. Even with a mask on, they will sense your welcoming and warming personality. A smile will help put them at ease. Some patients become vulnerable and really open up about their personal life while in the dental chair. At times, you will feel like a counselor listening to a patient and it becomes more like a therapy session.
Other times, they could just be quiet due to being nervous and not talking much. You should love getting to know your patients by making them feel comfortable and earning their trust.
3. You view yourself as part of the healthcare team.
You are not just a tooth cleaner. The oral cavity is a gateway to the entire body. The mouth can show signs of many diseases. Not only are we treating problems like cavities and periodontal disease, but we are also screening for other systemic diseases and types of oral cancers. We also take blood pressure at every appointment.
You could be the first person to tell a patient they need to see their primary care doctor so they can get their blood pressure under control. I’ve had to dismiss patients due to their blood pressure being too high. We definitely don’t want someone having a heart attack in the middle of dental treatment. Before treating a patient, you will need to go over medical history and medications.
You will get the grumpy ones that will ask what their health history has to do with just getting their teeth cleaned. Take the opportunity to educate them. The mouth is the gateway to the entire body and everything is connected. Some medical conditions require an antibiotic before dental treatment.
During a cleaning, we are stirring up bacteria that can get into the bloodstream and could potentially cause an infection. It’s important to get all the patient’s health history before treatment. If the medical history is incomplete or complex, it’s a good idea to get a medical consultation or clearance before any dental treatment is done. Many medications can cause adverse reactions that manifest in the mouth. Become part of the puzzle that pieces their health together. If you see something, say something.
4. You enjoy watching dental videos.
Go ahead, look up a YouTube video of dental cleaning and see if it grosses you out or if you want to see more! Warning, this could be your new guilty pleasure. If you get grossed out, this may not be for you. I know when I see a patient that has a good amount of calculus build-up and they need deep cleaning, I get the itchy fingers. I can’t wait to get started by knocking that stuff out of there. And while it may be satisfying to remove the build-up, what’s even better is when they return. The patient is actually flossing or took your advice on oral hygiene instructions. You’ve done your job.
5. There are more options than just clinical.
You have options to find your fit in the dental field. There are different types of dental offices. You can work in general dentistry seeing all ages and types of dentistry, periodontal office concentrating more on gum disease, pediatric office taking care of the younger population, cosmetic dentistry, public aid, or even spa-like dentistry. There are new up-and-coming technologies using mobile and teledentistry where you go to the patient. There are other possibilities besides just working clinically. For several years, I thought that was all there was to dental hygiene. I thought just working as a clinician in a dental office was it. There is so much more. Other options include working as a sales representative or with an insurance company. You can expand your career by teaching, speaking, writing, consulting, or coaching. The sky is the limit.
There are many great reasons to become a dental hygienist. You have options for a career path. Caring for people and helping achieve overall health are great motivators. Go for whatever makes you happy. It’s important to find your passion for a long-lasting career.
Sara Brooks lives in rural Missouri and continues to work as a clinical Dental Hygienist. She graduated from Carl Sandburg College with an Associate’s of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene in 2006. In 2018, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Oral Health Promotion from O’Hehir University. Sara is married and has two young daughters that keep her busy. Sara knew she wanted to be a Dental Hygienist when she was 8 years old. Her passion for the dental field started at such a young age because her mom was a Dental Hygienist and Sara wanted to follow in her footsteps.
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