Are you exploring careers? Are you considering becoming a dental hygienist? Do you want to work in the health care field? Are you detail-oriented and enjoy helping others? A career as a dental hygienist might be the choice for you.
As with all professions, there are many advantages and disadvantages to becoming a dental hygienist. Here are a few pros and cons of this job choice.
Con: It requires repetitive tasks.
Do you get tired of doing the same thing over and over again? Do you want a job where you don’t stay in the same building all day long? Do you want an occupation that offers lots of variety? If so, this career is not for you.
Dental hygienists will do a lot of repetitive tasks. While there might be some variety among patients, for the most part, hygienists clean teeth all day long. They also educate patients, complete medical records, provide screenings, and sometimes administer shots.
Pro: It pays well.
According to payscale.com, dental hygienists earn between $46,212 and $73,511 a year. (Click here to learn more.) That is a comfortable salary, and similar to what most nurses earn. It is higher than the average salary of teachers, social workers, police officers, and many small business owners.
Con: Bad breath, disease, and decay can be unpleasant to work with.
If you get grossed out easily, this is definitely not the job for you. Dental hygienists will see plenty of decay, rotting teeth, swollen gums and more. They also might come into contact with blood. And, of course, sensing bad breath comes with the job as well.
Pro: The job is in demand.
As long as there are people, there will always be a demand for dental hygienists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that it ranks among the fastest growing occupations.
In some areas, job openings might be limited. However, as long as you are willing to relocate, you should not have any problem finding a job.
Con: You might have to interact with rude and inconsiderate patients.
You could have to deal with grumpy, annoyed, and downright disrespectful patients. While this is rare, it does come with the job, especially if you work with children. Of course, many adults visit the dentist by choice, and will usually be polite.
Pro: You might have the opportunity to work part-time, if you wished.
If you hope to have children someday, and want to work part-time only, you might have that option. Some dentists will hire part-time dental hygienists with flexible hours. Some dental hygienists choose to work only one or two days a week.
Con: There is not much variety of job choices.
Some career fields, such as social work, have numerous types of jobs with different working situations. However, jobs for dental hygienists are pretty much the same everywhere. Sure, you can change working locations (such as working in free clinic for homeless individuals, or in a pediatric clinic), but your job will be pretty much the same.
You could always become a teacher later on in your career, and train other dental hygienists. You could also become a medical writer for the dental health field. And, you might even find a job in dental research. However, for the most part, there is not much variety in the field.
Pro: You will probably not have to work nights or weekends.
Most clinics close at 5:00 pm and are not open on the weekends. Therefore, you will probably never have to work nights or holidays. You will also probably not have to be on call, unlike other medical jobs such as nurses. Some clinics are closed on Friday afternoons.
Con : It requires 2 to 4 years of education.
In order to become a dental hygienist, you must earn at least an associate’s degree. This will require at least two years of classes, and possibly summer courses. Many schools offer a bachelor’s program, which includes four years of instruction. While both choices are acceptable, a bachelor’s degree can mean more job opportunities and higher pay.
These are just a few factors to consider before choosing to become a dental hygienist. For more insight of the profession, please read these articles here. If you are still exploring career choices, read “Jobs in the Medical Field Without a Bachelor’s Degree” and “High Demand Science Jobs that Pay Over $60,000 a Year.” You might also read “10 Jobs Where You Don’t Sit at a Desk Al Day.” and “High Demand Jobs that Pay $30,000 to $50,000 a Year.
Choosing a career can be one of the biggest decisions of your life. Best wishes as you select the path for your future!
Sources:
payscale.com
adha.org
bls.gov
