Every job has its ups and downs. No matter where you work as a dental hygienist, the pros and cons are largely the same. Even though being a dental hygienist has a lot of really positive aspects, there are some drawbacks to consider if you’re considering changing careers. We all have different favorite aspects of our jobs, so it’s acceptable to acknowledge those aspects. Here are the most typical benefits and drawbacks to consider as you apply to dental hygiene programs or search for your first position as a dental hygienist in the real world.
- PRO: Growing employment. The field of dental hygiene is displaying a projection of rapid growth. …
- CON: Lacking career variety. …
- PRO: The salary. …
- CON: Can be monotonous. …
- PRO: Schooling is minimal. …
- CON: Occasional unpleasant patients. …
- PRO: Flexible scheduling.
Skills for oral hygienists
Numerous technical skills can be acquired through formal education and training to work as an oral hygienist. For instance, this position might call for proficiency in particular cleaning techniques, dental techniques, and software. Employers value candidates with soft skills as well as those with hard skills, such as:
What is an oral hygienist?
A health care provider who assists dentists is an oral hygienist, also known as a dental hygienist. To help prevent and treat oral diseases or issues, these professionals clean patients’ teeth. They provide dental services to both child and adult patients. These professionals may also carry out some administrative tasks for the dental office, depending on the workplace. An oral hygienist’s typical job duties include the following:
Pros of being an oral hygienist
Here are some advantages of this career:
You can pursue this career quickly
An associate degree from an accredited dental hygiene program is the minimum education requirement for dental hygienists. Students can find programs at community colleges, technical colleges, or dental schools and can typically complete this degree in two years. After graduating, you must obtain a license in the state where you intend to practice.
You can apply for dental hygienist positions in community clinics or private dental offices once you’ve fulfilled these requirements. Some people choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree, which enables you to focus on a specific area of dental hygiene. However, it can take about four years to complete this option. Later in your career, earning additional degrees can help you stand out as a candidate and possibly advance into more senior positions.
You can make a good salary
It has a positive job outlook
You can have a standard schedule
Dental hygienists who work full-time put in between 31 and 40 hours per week, or eight hours per day. Typically, dental offices are open during regular business hours, such as from 9 a m. to 5 p. m. on weekdays. Although dental hygienists frequently don’t work nights or holidays, some dental offices also see patients on weekends. It may be appealing to have a set schedule like this because you can plan your days more precisely to keep a work-life balance. You don’t have to worry about bringing work home with you or working overtime because you complete all of your responsibilities at the office.
You can find flexible employment options
Dental hygienists can choose to work part-time in addition to full-time positions for greater flexibility. For instance, these experts might only work two to three days per week. To maintain a balance between your professional and personal needs, this choice might be appealing. You can also use the extra time to pursue other interests, like a hobby or furthering your education and training. Dental practices may employ these people directly or as independent contractors and provide them with a range of benefits usually only available to full-time employees.
Cons of being an oral hygienist
Here are some potential disadvantages of this career:
Your degree offers limited career paths
A dental hygiene degree will prepare you for the specific job of a dental hygienist. While this is the case, a career in communications, for instance, can provide knowledge and experiences useful for many different career paths. Additionally, regardless of where a dental hygienist works, their duties are typically the same. This aspect of the job may appeal to people who value consistency, but others may prefer options that offer more variety.
Investigating training or educational opportunities is one way to combat the lack of variety. For instance, you could earn more education to get ready for a more advanced position in dentistry. As was already mentioned, this career also allows people to work part-time. You can give your career the variety you feel it needs by working other part-time jobs or engaging in hobbies. Eventually, you might even decide to change careers or look for opportunities to incorporate your newly acquired interests or skills into your work as a dental hygienist.
The job can feel repetitive
The duties of a dental hygienist are typically the same in most dental offices, as previously mentioned, so there aren’t many significant differences in their day-to-day activities. You work with various patients each day, but you always give them the same dental cleaning procedures. Once more, some individuals appreciate consistency at work because they know what to anticipate each day. Others might find that this repetition gets a little boring, which could affect their mood.
If you pursue further education or training, you can use these encounters to help combat this sensation. Find ways to incorporate your newly acquired skills into your daily tasks by taking on additional duties at work, whether they are directly related to your position as a dental hygienist or not. For instance, if you enroll in marketing or social media courses in your spare time, you can tell your employer that you’d like to assist in developing office social media content.
You may encounter challenging patients
You work closely with patients as an oral hygienist to clean their teeth and support other dental procedures or examinations. You might encounter challenging patients in this position who are uncomfortable having such procedures done on them. You may run into difficult situations while brushing their teeth, like bad breath or tooth decay. Addressing these difficulties at work provides an opportunity to advance and enhance your interpersonal abilities.
For instance, you can understand and address a patient’s problems if you ask them questions and listen to them with active and empathic listening. The patient may feel more at ease during the appointment if they feel like they have been heard. Establishing trust with patients can help you grow relationships that may result in more fruitful interactions in the future. You might find your work more fulfilling if you consistently solve issues and cultivate closer bonds with your patients.
The job can be physically demanding
Being an oral hygienist requires a lot of bending over to examine and treat patients, which can be physically taxing. Some professionals consequently experience discomfort in their neck, back, or wrist. Being uneasy at work can affect your mood or prevent you from working efficiently.
You can avoid or reduce discomfort by taking frequent breaks to sit and unwind. Consider speaking with your employer about the advantages of having a place to relax in between appointments if your office doesn’t have a suitable break area. For instance, it can lift some of your stress during a hectic day and make you feel better. When you’re feeling good, you frequently perform better and give patients a warm, welcoming environment.
Your practice may have heavy workloads
Your daily workload varies depending on your workplace. Due to high demand or in an effort to boost profits, some dental offices may schedule numerous appointments each day. In these circumstances, you might have to see a lot of patients every day. Because you must complete patients’ needs and cleanings within the allotted appointment time, this heavy workload can be stressful.
Stress and burnout can negatively impact your mood and performance. You can speak openly with your employer about your current workload to get rid of this feeling. Your candid feedback may inspire them to take action, such as hiring more staff or adjusting your schedule, as they likely want to make sure their practice offers patients high-quality care. You might need to look elsewhere to find a job at a company with a less demanding workload or look into part-time hygienist opportunities if necessary.
PROs and CONs of being a Dental Hygienist
FAQ
What are cons of being a dental hygienist?
- You will need formal training to be a dental hygienist.
- You will need to pay for your dental hygienist schooling.
- You will need a license to work. …
- You’ll discover that there isn’t much state-to-state license reciprocity.
- You may have an undesirable schedule at times.
Why you shouldn’t be a dental hygienist?
The repetitiveness, physical demand, and discomfort that come with the job of a dental hygienist are drawbacks, even though it may sound like a rewarding career choice and can result in a good salary.
Is it worth it being a dental hygienist?
A career in dental hygiene is both fulfilling and challenging. A variety of opportunities in various work settings and with both part-time and full-time jobs available are made available to those who qualify in this profession. Dental hygiene is definitely a good career. Many things about this profession can never go unnoticed.
