Your mouth never feels better than right after you have your teeth cleaned. You feel fresh all day, and your pearly whites sparkle. But have you ever thought about everything that happens to get you that great result?
Of course, there is the dentist, but another essential player is the dental hygienist. In fact, the dental hygienist is often the person who cleans your teeth!
If you’ve never considered it, becoming a dental hygienist could be a great career choice. It’s a part of the growing healthcare field, and it could allow you work with people and apply your skills in a hands-on environment.
The need for dental hygienists is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupation is expected to grow 11 percent between 2018 and 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.1 The reason is because as the baby-boom population ages and people keep more of their teeth than in previous generations, there will be more of a need for dental care.
The first step to potentially entering this growing field is to determine if it’s a good fit for you. Some of the characteristics of a dental hygienist are:
These and other qualities help with the duties of dental hygienists. Dental hygienists are responsible for the removal of tartar, stains and plaque from teeth. They also apply fluoride and sealants to help protect teeth and take X-rays and document patient care for the dentist.
1 BLS statistics represent national job growth expectations and are not necessarily reflective of local market conditions.
2 Employment not guaranteed for students or graduates.
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