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What related fields do you think I should consider?
I'm interes #dentist #dental-hygienist #dentistry ted in being a dental hygienist.
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Phu’s Answer
Honestly the cost of dental school is rising to the point where I don't know how worth it it is going to an out of state or private dental school. If you can go to an instate school where the tuition is lower go for it, otherwise consider hygiene. It's a solid field that is growing in terms of salary. Downside is you'll be doing cleanings all day haha, I lowkey hate doing cleanings so i'm glad someone else does it. But at 300-400k in loans and rising, it's a big hole to dig yourself out of coming out of school.
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Betty’s Answer
Hi Brandy,
Have you ever considered becoming a full blown dentist or specializing in cosmetic dentistry? Here are some other recommendations from my Google search from vet to surgical assistant to dental consultant.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/alternative-jobs-for-dental-hygienists
1. Health educator
National average salary: $27,255 per year
Primary duties**:** A health educator increases awareness about and emphasizes the importance of dental check-ups, oral care and cavity prevention. Many health educators work for community groups and health organizations that focus on underserved communities. Health educators create and present oral hygiene information to large groups and work one-on-one with patients.
2. Pharmacy technician
National average salary**:** $30,053 per year
Primary duties**:** Pharmacy technicians teach patients about their medications and possible side effects, maintain confidential patient records and mix solutions, creams or ointments. Similar to dental hygienists, pharmacy technicians possess good interpersonal skills, organizational skills and attention to detail. Depending on the state, dental hygienists may need to complete a certification or training program to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician.
Related: Learn About Being a Pharmacy Technician
3. Veterinary assistant
National average salary: $31,859 per year
Primary duties: Veterinary assistants help veterinarians care for animals by taking patient vital signs, sanitizing equipment and tools and maintaining medical supplies. Like dental hygienists, veterinary assistants possess good time management skills, excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to patient health. Some aspiring veterinary assistants elect to obtain an optional certification to further develop their skills and potentially increase job prospects.
Related: Learn About Being a Veterinary Assistant
4. Dental treatment coordinator
National average salary: $34,649 per year
Primary duties: Dental treatment coordinators verify patient insurance coverage and work with insurance companies to fulfill outstanding insurance claims. They also work with patients to explain insurance benefits, schedule treatments and set up payment plans.
5. Personal trainer
National average salary**:** $36,266 per year
Primary duties**:** A personal trainer helps clients reach their fitness and health goals by designing workout programs and one-on-one training. Just like hygienists, personal trainers have good time management skills, a strong understanding of healthy habits and enjoy working closely with clients. Many personal trainers receive on-the-job training to prepare for their roles, but optional certifications or education in kinesiology or exercise science may be helpful.
Related: Learn About Being a Personal Trainer
6. Customer service representative
National average salary**:** $47,642 per year
Primary duties**:** Customer service representatives work on behalf of an organization to address customer feedback. They're often responsible for helping resolve issues or providing more information about a product or service. Dental hygienists with strong interpersonal skills and a desire to assist others may have skills that transfer well into this role.
Related: Learn About Being a Customer Service Representative
7. Medical coding specialist
National average salary**:** $47,459 per year
Primary duties**:** A medical coding specialist manages patient data, submits insurance claims, post payments and processes claim rejections. A medical coder may also work with customers over the phone or in person to resolve issues. This job often requires training or education specific to medical coding, but flexible scheduling options exist for these credentials.
Related: Learn About Being a Medical Coder
8. Dental office manager
National average salary**:** $52,146 per year
Primary duties**:** A dental office manager manages the day-to-day operations of a dental clinic. Office managers plan work schedules, organize on-site training and perform staff evaluations. Managers also maintain office supplies, monitor patient treatment plans and oversee financial matters.
Related: Learn About Being a Dental Office Manager
9. Clinical instructor
National average salary**:** $56,243 per year
Primary duties**:** A clinical instructor teaches the laboratory and clinical portion of a dental hygiene certification program. A clinical instructor develops curriculum, provides hands-on instruction, evaluates student progress, provides remediation when necessary and maintains student records. Clinical instructors often participate in community-based outreach programs or professional dental organizations.
10. Dental assistant
National average salary: $60,598 per year
Primary duties: A dental assistant works directly with patients throughout their dental treatment. Dental assistants may prepare patients for treatment, set up equipment for dental procedures, order materials, sterilize dental instruments and provide post-treatment care instructions. They may also assist the dentist during complicated procedures, maintain patient records and stock dental room supplies.
Related: Learn About Being a Dental Assistant
11. Dental sales representative
National average salary**:** $65,408 per year
Primary duties: A dental sales representative demonstrates, promotes and sells dental products to dentists and other dental professionals. They also reach out to potential customers via cold calling, maintain customer relationships, prepare sales reports and resolve customer issues.
Related: Learn About Being a Sales Representative
12. Surgical assistant
National average salary: $78,957 per year
Primary duties: A surgical assistant interviews patients before surgery, explains surgical procedures to patients and their families and prepares the tools needed in the operating room. Like dental hygienists, surgical assistants often work closely with patients, have good organizational skills and work as a team with doctors. This role also requires a surgical assisting certificate.
Read more: Learn About Being a Surgical Assistant
13. Dental consultant
National average salary**:** $68,064 per year
Primary duties**:** A dental consultant works with clients to improve efficiency, customer service and profits in a dental office. They may also serve as subject matter experts, review prior authorization of dental procedures or navigate insurance appeals.
14. Medical writer
National average salary**:** $71,252 per year
Primary duties**:** A medical writer conducts research, writes articles on medical technology or procedures and ensures the accuracy of written content. They may also write grants, edit educational materials and approve marketing materials.
Have you ever considered becoming a full blown dentist or specializing in cosmetic dentistry? Here are some other recommendations from my Google search from vet to surgical assistant to dental consultant.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/alternative-jobs-for-dental-hygienists
1. Health educator
National average salary: $27,255 per year
Primary duties**:** A health educator increases awareness about and emphasizes the importance of dental check-ups, oral care and cavity prevention. Many health educators work for community groups and health organizations that focus on underserved communities. Health educators create and present oral hygiene information to large groups and work one-on-one with patients.
2. Pharmacy technician
National average salary**:** $30,053 per year
Primary duties**:** Pharmacy technicians teach patients about their medications and possible side effects, maintain confidential patient records and mix solutions, creams or ointments. Similar to dental hygienists, pharmacy technicians possess good interpersonal skills, organizational skills and attention to detail. Depending on the state, dental hygienists may need to complete a certification or training program to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician.
Related: Learn About Being a Pharmacy Technician
3. Veterinary assistant
National average salary: $31,859 per year
Primary duties: Veterinary assistants help veterinarians care for animals by taking patient vital signs, sanitizing equipment and tools and maintaining medical supplies. Like dental hygienists, veterinary assistants possess good time management skills, excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to patient health. Some aspiring veterinary assistants elect to obtain an optional certification to further develop their skills and potentially increase job prospects.
Related: Learn About Being a Veterinary Assistant
4. Dental treatment coordinator
National average salary: $34,649 per year
Primary duties: Dental treatment coordinators verify patient insurance coverage and work with insurance companies to fulfill outstanding insurance claims. They also work with patients to explain insurance benefits, schedule treatments and set up payment plans.
5. Personal trainer
National average salary**:** $36,266 per year
Primary duties**:** A personal trainer helps clients reach their fitness and health goals by designing workout programs and one-on-one training. Just like hygienists, personal trainers have good time management skills, a strong understanding of healthy habits and enjoy working closely with clients. Many personal trainers receive on-the-job training to prepare for their roles, but optional certifications or education in kinesiology or exercise science may be helpful.
Related: Learn About Being a Personal Trainer
6. Customer service representative
National average salary**:** $47,642 per year
Primary duties**:** Customer service representatives work on behalf of an organization to address customer feedback. They're often responsible for helping resolve issues or providing more information about a product or service. Dental hygienists with strong interpersonal skills and a desire to assist others may have skills that transfer well into this role.
Related: Learn About Being a Customer Service Representative
7. Medical coding specialist
National average salary**:** $47,459 per year
Primary duties**:** A medical coding specialist manages patient data, submits insurance claims, post payments and processes claim rejections. A medical coder may also work with customers over the phone or in person to resolve issues. This job often requires training or education specific to medical coding, but flexible scheduling options exist for these credentials.
Related: Learn About Being a Medical Coder
8. Dental office manager
National average salary**:** $52,146 per year
Primary duties**:** A dental office manager manages the day-to-day operations of a dental clinic. Office managers plan work schedules, organize on-site training and perform staff evaluations. Managers also maintain office supplies, monitor patient treatment plans and oversee financial matters.
Related: Learn About Being a Dental Office Manager
9. Clinical instructor
National average salary**:** $56,243 per year
Primary duties**:** A clinical instructor teaches the laboratory and clinical portion of a dental hygiene certification program. A clinical instructor develops curriculum, provides hands-on instruction, evaluates student progress, provides remediation when necessary and maintains student records. Clinical instructors often participate in community-based outreach programs or professional dental organizations.
10. Dental assistant
National average salary: $60,598 per year
Primary duties: A dental assistant works directly with patients throughout their dental treatment. Dental assistants may prepare patients for treatment, set up equipment for dental procedures, order materials, sterilize dental instruments and provide post-treatment care instructions. They may also assist the dentist during complicated procedures, maintain patient records and stock dental room supplies.
Related: Learn About Being a Dental Assistant
11. Dental sales representative
National average salary**:** $65,408 per year
Primary duties: A dental sales representative demonstrates, promotes and sells dental products to dentists and other dental professionals. They also reach out to potential customers via cold calling, maintain customer relationships, prepare sales reports and resolve customer issues.
Related: Learn About Being a Sales Representative
12. Surgical assistant
National average salary: $78,957 per year
Primary duties: A surgical assistant interviews patients before surgery, explains surgical procedures to patients and their families and prepares the tools needed in the operating room. Like dental hygienists, surgical assistants often work closely with patients, have good organizational skills and work as a team with doctors. This role also requires a surgical assisting certificate.
Read more: Learn About Being a Surgical Assistant
13. Dental consultant
National average salary**:** $68,064 per year
Primary duties**:** A dental consultant works with clients to improve efficiency, customer service and profits in a dental office. They may also serve as subject matter experts, review prior authorization of dental procedures or navigate insurance appeals.
14. Medical writer
National average salary**:** $71,252 per year
Primary duties**:** A medical writer conducts research, writes articles on medical technology or procedures and ensures the accuracy of written content. They may also write grants, edit educational materials and approve marketing materials.