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The Top 5 Reasons to Become a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienist work alongside certified dentist and dental assistants to meet the oral concerns of patients. The many job requirements for a dental hygienist include administering anesthesia, oral care treatments, and X-ray analysis. To determine if this career field is worth venturing into we have compiled a list of the top five reasons to become a dental hygienist.
1) Flexible work hours and schedule
One of the many draws in this industry is the flexible work schedule. The national average reports 47% of dental hygienists working only 30 to 40 hours a week. The other half only works a fraction of that time. With part-time or full-time shifts available, it is common to find schedules that require just 1-2 days of work.
2) Competitive Salary
When considering that most professionals in this field only work part time, the compensation is very generous. While the most recent salary statistics reported in 2011 indicate that the middle 50% of people earned $55,000-$78,000, while those in the top percentile earned around $91,000 per year.
3) Advancement Opportunities
Many dental hygienists move up in their career through education and increased pay. While some will head into management or supervisory positions, others will advance through education. Those who obtain a degree may become researcher’s teachers, or administrators in dental hygiene programs. Some may also venture into dental sales industry.
4) Support
A career in the dental industry isn’t just about the job perks its also enriching the lives of every patient with support and kindness. Dental hygienists spend more time with the patients than the dentist do. It is up to them to create a good rapport while easing any worry or distress patients may be experiencing.
5) Stability
Growth in the healthcare industry has prompted more individuals to consider a career in dental hygiene. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the projected growth for this field will increase by 36% through 2018. For dental hygienist, this percentage represents the increase of around 62,900 jobs from 2008-2018.
In conclusion…
This job is widely recognized as an excellent opportunity to earn an income and build lasting relationships. Reports indicate that 17% of dental hygienist will spend more than 20 years at their primary dental employer. From this statistic, we estimate that there will be ample growth in this field to allow for long-term employment.
