Moving from dental assistant to dental hygienist

If you’ve labored as a dental assistant, you’ve constructed up a great deal of technical data. You know the way dental clinics are run, and also you’ve been within the room throughout diagnostic procedures and coverings. This sets you up properly to advance your dental profession. So how precisely do you transition from being an assistant to being a dental hygienist?

Keep studying to be taught what the change in position will imply, the steps you’ll want to take to make it occur and the way your expertise as a dental assistant will assist.

Differences between dental assistants and dental hygienists

Dental assistants deal with a variety of obligations, from scheduling and recordkeeping to making ready sufferers and tools for appointments. As a dental hygienist, it’s possible you’ll maintain a couple of of those obligations however you’ll be immediately concerned in offering care to sufferers.

Dental hygienists have extra obligations

Dental hygienists are liable for a number of facets of affected person care. They conduct sufferers’ preliminary oral health assessments, together with exams and screenings. They additionally present preventive care like cleanings, fluoride therapies and affected person training. However, hygienists don’t present the ultimate diagnoses or remedy plans for particular points.

Dental hygienists have larger salaries

You’ll want extra training, training and certification to turn into a dental hygienist. The degree of experience and the elevated obligations of the position imply that dental hygienists have larger compensation than that of dental assistants. Depending in your expertise, the place you reside and the observe the place you’re employed, your wage as a hygienist could also be between 50-100% greater than your dental assistant wage.

How to turn into a dental hygienist

To start working as a licensed dental hygienist, you want to display an understanding of the related science, procedures and finest practices. This may be accomplished in a couple of steps.

1. Complete a level from an accredited dental hygiene program

You can apply for licensure with both an affiliate or bachelor’s diploma in dental hygiene from a program that’s been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Program lengths differ in accordance to the diploma sort and the college you attend. Associate levels usually take about two years, whereas bachelor’s levels usually take about 4. However, it’s possible you’ll find a way to check out of among the prerequisite programs.

Your expertise as a dental assistant implies that you’ll possible be acquainted with among the subject material coated in this system’s coursework and medical training. In addition, your expertise might help with the appliance course of, as dental applications are sometimes competitive.

Having help from your employer whilst you pursue your diploma can ease the method. It’s widespread for individuals to work as dental assistants whereas at school to turn into dental hygienists. However, dental hygiene applications are usually full-time, so this requires flexibility from your employer. Depending in your employer and this system you attend, you may additionally find a way to do your medical training at your present observe.

2. Pass your required exams

In addition to incomes your diploma, you’ll want to go a number of examinations earlier than you apply for licensure. The actual necessities differ by state. In Minnesota, you want to go:

• The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, which assesses your means to perceive and apply info from the biomedical and dental hygiene sciences.
• A medical examination administered by the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, American Board of Dental Examiners or Western Regional Examining Board, which evaluates your means to carry out typical dental procedures, make diagnoses and plan therapies.
• The Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination, which covers data areas, together with the final duties of a dental care supplier, private conduct, ethics and an infection management.

3. Find a chance

Once you’ve earned your diploma, handed your exams and are licensed, all that’s left is to start working as a dental hygienist. If you’ve got a very good relationship together with your present observe, it’s possible you’ll find a way to make the transition there. If there aren’t any openings for a dental hygienist, ask for those who can intern as one or tackle among the extra obligations. That expertise will prime you for when a chance does come up.

Advance your dental profession at HealthPartners

If you need to make dental care your profession, having an employer that helps you issues. They ought to acknowledge the dedication you’re displaying by striving to advance your profession.

At HealthPartners, we imagine in serving to one another succeed. With versatile scheduling hours, persevering with training reimbursements and the likelihood for scholar mortgage forgiveness below the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, you’ll work in an setting that champions your growth. We additionally supply competitive advantages for workers working 15 hours or extra per week, together with complete medical and dental advantages, beneficiant paid day without work (PTO) and a 401k.