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Does being a dental assistant help becoming a dental hygienist?
Does being a dental assistant help with becoming a dental hygienist? Such as the experience or maybe the employer you working with can assist you with tuition or beginner training.
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Joshua!
Ever wondered if your role as a dental assistant could be a stepping stone to becoming a dental hygienist? Well, you're in luck because it certainly can! Here's how your current role can give you a head start in becoming a dental hygienist:
1. Valuable Experience: As a dental assistant, you're already familiar with many aspects of dental care like getting patients ready, sterilizing tools, and assisting dentists during procedures. This firsthand experience can offer a sneak peek into the world of dental hygiene and help you figure out if it's the right fit for you.
2. Making Connections: Working as a dental assistant means you're constantly interacting with dentists and other dental professionals. These relationships can come in handy when you decide to become a dental hygienist, as they could potentially recommend you or provide references for dental hygiene programs.
3. Skill Transfer: Many skills you pick up as a dental assistant, like communicating with patients, handling instruments, and controlling infection, can be applied to the role of a dental hygienist. These skills can give you a leg up in your training and education as a dental hygienist.
4. Employer Support: Some dental offices might even offer tuition assistance or other support for employees who want to pursue a degree in dental hygiene. As a dental assistant, you could be eligible for these benefits, which can ease the financial load of getting a degree.
5. Networking: As a dental assistant, you get to meet and network with other dental professionals. These connections can be a great asset when you're job hunting as a dental hygienist, as they might be able to recommend you or refer you to potential employers.
To help you on your journey, here are three authoritative resources that can provide more information on becoming a dental hygienist:
1. "Dental Hygiene: Theory and Practice" by Deborah S. Kaye and Carol A. Twaddle. This textbook offers a thorough overview of dental hygiene practice, including oral health principles, patient assessment, and treatment planning.
2. "Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Review" by Joanne M. Flaitz and Marjorie J. Crouch. This textbook explores all facets of dental assisting, including using instruments, patient care, and office management.
3. "The Dental Hygienist's Guide to Clinical Practice" by Margaret P. Zhang and Michael L. Cohen. This book offers practical advice on dental hygiene techniques, including oral exams, prophylaxis, and periodontal therapy.
By making the most of your experience as a dental assistant and using these resources, you can acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful dental hygienist.
Take care and God bless,
James.
Ever wondered if your role as a dental assistant could be a stepping stone to becoming a dental hygienist? Well, you're in luck because it certainly can! Here's how your current role can give you a head start in becoming a dental hygienist:
1. Valuable Experience: As a dental assistant, you're already familiar with many aspects of dental care like getting patients ready, sterilizing tools, and assisting dentists during procedures. This firsthand experience can offer a sneak peek into the world of dental hygiene and help you figure out if it's the right fit for you.
2. Making Connections: Working as a dental assistant means you're constantly interacting with dentists and other dental professionals. These relationships can come in handy when you decide to become a dental hygienist, as they could potentially recommend you or provide references for dental hygiene programs.
3. Skill Transfer: Many skills you pick up as a dental assistant, like communicating with patients, handling instruments, and controlling infection, can be applied to the role of a dental hygienist. These skills can give you a leg up in your training and education as a dental hygienist.
4. Employer Support: Some dental offices might even offer tuition assistance or other support for employees who want to pursue a degree in dental hygiene. As a dental assistant, you could be eligible for these benefits, which can ease the financial load of getting a degree.
5. Networking: As a dental assistant, you get to meet and network with other dental professionals. These connections can be a great asset when you're job hunting as a dental hygienist, as they might be able to recommend you or refer you to potential employers.
To help you on your journey, here are three authoritative resources that can provide more information on becoming a dental hygienist:
1. "Dental Hygiene: Theory and Practice" by Deborah S. Kaye and Carol A. Twaddle. This textbook offers a thorough overview of dental hygiene practice, including oral health principles, patient assessment, and treatment planning.
2. "Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Review" by Joanne M. Flaitz and Marjorie J. Crouch. This textbook explores all facets of dental assisting, including using instruments, patient care, and office management.
3. "The Dental Hygienist's Guide to Clinical Practice" by Margaret P. Zhang and Michael L. Cohen. This book offers practical advice on dental hygiene techniques, including oral exams, prophylaxis, and periodontal therapy.
By making the most of your experience as a dental assistant and using these resources, you can acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful dental hygienist.
Take care and God bless,
James.
Shannon Routch, A.A., D.D., C.P.T.
Altenative Healthcare, Personal Training, Consulting, Analysis
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Shannon’s Answer
Yes, being a dental assistant does give you clinical and hands-on experience, and you also learn about restorative procedures, you will have training in x-ray taking and reading, and hopefully, they will teach you the names of the different curettes and how they are used, how to sharpen them, and various other instruments common in dentistry. If/when you decide to go to hygiene school, you will understand more about the appropriate restorations that will be needed upon x-ray, diagnosis, and preventative care. This being said, dental assistant programs do leave a lot out of the curriculum. I have known several assistants who "graduated" from dental assisting school who didn't know the difference between an implant analog and an impression coping, the difference between an open-tray and a closed-tray impression, or the difference between a Colombia 13/14 and a 4R/4L. Where are you in your education now?
As far as tuition reimbursement goes, some employers do have that in place as a part of your compensation package, and it doesn't have to be in the same field. If you are waiting tables at some restaurants, sometimes they will offer tuition reimbursement or tuition contributions no matter what you're studying. You just need to inquire at your current employer to check specifically. Some places offer it, some places do not. Sometimes an employer will also be willing to forego one benefit in lieu of tuition reimbursement and replace, let's say vision benefits and contribute that amount that they otherwise would have towards the vision plan, to tuition reimbursement.
If you are currently working at a dental office, ask as many questions as possible. See if you can cross-train in various positions in the office to get a more rounded feel for all aspects of the business operations and clinical operations; often referred to as "front-department," and "back department."
Please feel free to reach back out to me. I have helped train and educate various professionals in dentistry. I am happy to do what I can to help you on your way.
As far as tuition reimbursement goes, some employers do have that in place as a part of your compensation package, and it doesn't have to be in the same field. If you are waiting tables at some restaurants, sometimes they will offer tuition reimbursement or tuition contributions no matter what you're studying. You just need to inquire at your current employer to check specifically. Some places offer it, some places do not. Sometimes an employer will also be willing to forego one benefit in lieu of tuition reimbursement and replace, let's say vision benefits and contribute that amount that they otherwise would have towards the vision plan, to tuition reimbursement.
If you are currently working at a dental office, ask as many questions as possible. See if you can cross-train in various positions in the office to get a more rounded feel for all aspects of the business operations and clinical operations; often referred to as "front-department," and "back department."
Please feel free to reach back out to me. I have helped train and educate various professionals in dentistry. I am happy to do what I can to help you on your way.