InstructorCourse
Dental Hygienist
Job Description
It is always a desire of many individuals to become a doctor and to get job in a respectable medical center or hospital. Great organizations which have developed good reputation demands some experience from the doctors and an internationally recognized institution. Doctors/ Dental hygienist are the life savers. It is a reputable job and professionals in this field are widely respected (“Advice on How to Become a Doctor in the USA,” 2002).
Education and Certification
Educational requirements are very simple but a bit lengthy. In Australia, Dental hygienists must be the passed student of dental hygiene program with a reputable school, with either an advanced diploma known as TAFE, or must hold an associate degree, or usually a bachelor's degree from a dental hygiene college that is registered by the Australian Dental Council (ADC). Although today there are many institutions which are offering this degree, however, many of them are just open to earn money. The person who has done TAFE degree from some good institution is given priority. Not only TAFE or graduate degree is the need now, every doctor is required to be specialized in some specific dental field as well. Certification is also an important step in becoming a dental hygienist. Whenever a doctor is certified from a renowned university or hospital, he is acknowledged all over the world (Roy, 2011).
In the United States, one must be a graduate from a dental hygiene program, with flying colors in an associate degree, a master's degree from a dental hygienist college that is registered by the American Dental Association (ADA). There are dental hygienist courses/ diploma associate's program with 86 credit hours and bachelor's degrees which requires 122 credit hours (“Dental Hygienist Education Requirements,” 2012). The minimal cost of an associate's program starts from $30,000 to $45,000 for achieving a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene.
Employment
The importance of dental hygienist can be easily judged, as many countries are offering their nationality with soft conditions to them. Salary is much more as compared to other fields. Good salaries are given to dental hygienist to avail their services. If doctors continue to specialize in their studies and will continue to include the updated knowledge about different diseases and their treatment then they have the brighter chances of promotions (Wilkins, & Esther., 2013). If they match the internationally accepted requirements then definitely they will be promoted to next grade (Mueller-Joseph, & M., 1995). According to the survey, 36% increase has been noticed from 2008 to 2013. This percentage shows the increase rate and today around 62,900 jobs need dental hygienist worldwide. Salary.com has a few jobs for dental hygienist who holds at least 2-5 years experience. As per the report of Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual net earnings are $66,570, relied on 2008 salary data.
Professional Activities
It is good for dental hygienist to continue their studies while doing their practice. There are certain professions in which it is demanded from the person to have continuing education unit. It is one of the basic requirements for the doctors to keep their knowledge and educational level updated as per the current standards and updated researches. This is the only way for them to be aware of the current medical techniques and treatment plans (Forbes, 2012). Dental hygienist continuing education program includes Abrasion and Implications for Oral Health, Understanding and Guiding the Dental Patient with Autism, CAMBRA: Best Practices in Dental Caries Management.
Conclusion / Reflection
I think that I perfectly fit for this job as I keep updated myself about the new courses and meet all the demands needed for this job. I want to do this job as I think that, to be a dental hygienist is a noble act and we should deliver our services to our patients. The best thing that I have explored in the heath care field is that, this field has all the members serving the people are ranked very high; although there are some grades in it too. It is the profession with a lot of responsibility and as I am willing to fulfill it, the profession of dental hygienist is suitable for me (Chitracs, 2008). But, I think that all the staff members from the nurses to the paramedicians all are very important and they all play their roles actively. The thing that is most important for me is to provide best health care facilities to my patients. I explored that in this field there is a very huge scope if the doctors are specialized and do their duty with responsibility.
References
Advice on How to Become a Doctor in the USA. (2002). BBC, retrieved from, http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-lancashire/plain/A296174
Chitracs .(2008), Is It tough to become a doctor? Medical Profession Responsibilities, saching.com, retrieved from, http://m.saching.com/article.php?id=608
Dental Hygienist Education Requirements. (2012), Education Portal,p.22.
MD Roy Benaroch. (2011). How to become a licensed, board certified doctor, Kevin MD.com, retrieved from, http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/02/licensed-board-certified-doctor.html
Mueller-Joseph, L., & Petersen, M. (1995). Dental Hygiene Process: Diagnosis and Care Planning. Albany, NY: Delmar.
Wilkins, Esther M. (2013). "The Professional Dental Hygienist." Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. 11th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
