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DeVry University
DeVry University offers flexible scheduling and the convenience to study at any of 80+ locations, online or a combination of both. Earn a respected associate degree, bachelor's degree or master's degree from an accredited university. A career-oriented education from DeVry University will put you in a great place to begin or advance in the workplace when you graduate.
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University's Online BSN program offers you the opportunity to complete your nursing education online, without ever stepping foot on a college campus.
Penn Foster
Penn Foster offers affordable, self-paced career-focused distance education programs in fields like business, criminal justice, health services, technology, engineering, paralegal studies and more.
*Programs vary by location. Not all programs available at all locations.
Dental Hygienist Careers
FYI - Dental Hygienist Careers and Training Options
Increased awareness of proper preventative dental care is creating exciting new career opportunities for skilled dental practitioners. Specifically, demand for certified dental hygienists is at an all-time high. Begin your dental hygienist training now to pursue one of many rewarding dental hygienist careers.
With the public retaining its natural teeth longer and dentists diversifying into new surgical and cosmetic procedures, dental hygienists are assuming a more prominent role in the profession and performing procedures once reserved for licensed dentists.
Consider some of these promising dental hygienist statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor:
- The Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects hiring of dental hygienists to increase more than 36 percent between 2000 and 2010.
- Dental hygienist will be one of the 30 fastest growing careers in the United States until the end of the decade.
The American Dental Association expects the hiring trend to continue into the next century, as more dentists contract with dental health maintenance organizations. "Practice patterns also influence employment opportunities for hygienists," reads the association's Web site. "With the current trend toward group practice and practice styles that stress effective and productive use of office personnel, job opportunities will continue to increase [for dental hygienists]"
While dental hygienist regulations differ from state to state, hygienists are generally responsible for the following tasks:
- Performing patient screening procedures
- Exposing, developing dental radiographs (x-rays)
- Educating patients about proper oral hygiene
- Removing hard and soft deposits from patient's teeth
- Applying preventive materials such as fluorides and sealants to teeth
- Counseling patients about proper nutrition and its impact on oral health
The benefits of career in dental hygiene are also numerous. Dental hygienists...
- Earn competitive wages. Dental hygiene is an excellent opportunity for non-traditional students and career changers.
- Work in clean, safe, well-lit environments, and are respected members of the oral health organization.
- Enjoy flexible scheduling, working full-time, part-time, or just off hours. Full-time employees generally receive competitive benefits including vacation time.
- Are qualified for a variety of positions at private practices, clinics, dental schools and research institutions, and even dental supply and equipment companies.
Individuals have two main dental hygienist training options and routes to licensure.
- Students can pursue an associate degree in dentistry from a two-year community college, junior college, technical school, or online, distance-learning institution. Candidates for the national and state dental hygienist licensing exams must complete their associate degree.
- Dental hygienist training also can be obtained at the bachelor and post-graduate level, qualifying candidates for positions of greater responsibility and pay in teaching and research.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation has accredited more than 250 programs in dental hygiene. Most grant degrees at the associate level. A dozen universities offer master's degree programs.
