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How Dental Hygienist Schools Differ from Dental Assistant Schools
How Dental Hygienist Schools Differ from Dental Assistant Schools
Dental hygienist schools provide training that can lead to a long and satisfying career of helping people maintain healthy teeth and gums. Like dental hygienists, dental assistants also play an important, though different, role in the handling and treatment of dental patients. Both of these dental careers are in high demand, with employment opportunities expected to grow by 36 percent between 2008 and 2018.* But, if you are considering one of these occupations, you should be aware of how training to become a dental hygienist differs from training to become a dental assistant.
Longer Programs
Although shorter certificate programs are available, most dental hygienists enter the workforce with a two-year associate's degree in dental hygiene. Those who wish to pursue advancement opportunities sometimes complete bachelor's or master's degrees, which can take four to six years to complete.
In contrast, dental assistant schools generally offer certificate or diploma programs, which can take a year or less to complete. The most common path for entry into dental assisting is this type of quick, formal education, or even simply on-the-job training. However, some schools also provide the option of completing a two-year associate's degree program.
All things considered, you can expect to spend a longer time training to become a dental hygienist than a dental assistant.
More Advanced Training
Although dental hygienists and dental assistants may sometimes share a few similar duties (such as working chair-side with a dentist during treatments, or educating patients on proper oral hygiene), the main clinical responsibilities they hold differ substantially.
Dental hygienists learn how to provide preventive dental care, such as comfortably removing deposits like tartar, stains, and plaque from the teeth of their patients. They also acquire the ability to examine a patient's teeth and gums for signs of disease or other abnormalities, and report their findings to a supervising dentist. In addition, they often learn how to safely perform dental x-rays. Generally, dental hygienists must perform many procedures directly on their patients with minimal supervision.
Dental assistants, on the other hand, learn to prepare the dental instruments, equipment, and other materials used by dentists during treatment procedures. They learn how to properly sterilize and disinfect dental equipment, how to make patients comfortable and prepare them for treatment, and how to perform laboratory and clerical duties. Plus, they acquire the skills necessary for working alongside a dentist, including how to keep a patient's mouth clear, hand dentists the proper instruments, and apply and remove dental materials used in treatment.
Generally speaking, dental hygienists carry greater responsibilities to their patients and supervising dentists than dental assistants. As a result, their training is considered to be more demanding.
Stricter Requirements After Graduation
Before you can begin working as a dental hygienist, you must first obtain a license from the state in which you intend to practice. Although state requirements vary, you generally must prove that you've graduated from an accredited dental hygienist school, and then pass a written and clinical exam. In most states, the test comes from the American Dental Association's (ADA) Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. And, because working in the field of dental hygiene can have legal ramifications, many states also require that you pass an exam on the legal aspects of being a dental hygienist.
In contrast, dental assistants do not usually have to meet any formal requirements to enter their field. The only time they need a license is if they decide they want to expand their skills to include more advanced duties like performing x-rays. In that case, some states require that you obtain a special license for radiological procedures, which generally involves passing a written or practical exam. In other states, no license is required, and dental assistants can simply receive on-the-job training and supervision for the expansion of their duties.
Choose the Path That Works for You
Regardless of which occupation you decide to train for, a career in dental services can be highly fulfilling. Dental hygienist schools and dental assistant schools may offer different paths, but they each provide a way to a rewarding, in-demand career. So pick the option that fits your ambition today, and get started moving toward a career that makes you smile!
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, web site accessed on Nov. 23, 2010.
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