Why Working in the Dental Industry is one of the most rewarding careers in healthcare
When you ask almost anyone what they want to do with their lives, their response almost always includes wanting to help other people. For many people, making a difference and giving back to their local community is high on their priorities, but so is earning a living. Working in health care professions is one way people can do both, and make a difference and make a good income at the same time. The dental industry is also a good fit for those who do not see themselves working in other health care jobs like medicine, pharmacy, or therapy.
When it comes to rewarding careers, the field of oral health is a strong standout. Here are the top reasons why working in the dental industry is one of the most rewarding careers.
Being proactive with your Oral health is a starting point to taking care of your health as a whole. Having a healthy mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue is a great way to prevent a range of mild diseases in the future and more serious ones later on.
The Dental Field is a widely respected industry that helps improve a person's confidence.
The Dental industry is one of the most highly respected and valuable industries in health care. Becoming a Dental Hygienist is a career that allows you to work closely with other people and provide them with valuable healthcare services. Improving a person's smile will also be a big boost to their confidence. A study done by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) concluded that a whopping one-third of adults would like to improve their smiles. Working in the dental industry is one way you can help people improve their confidence by giving them a smile that they have always dreamed of.
Hands-on Career working directly with people
Individuals who choose a path in the oral health field will have the opportunity to work directly with people in one of the most rewarding careers there is. Many Dental offices are in small communities that allow them to build long-term relationships with their clients. During appointments, dental hygienists will remove plaque and calculus from the surfaces of the patient's teeth and apply sealants and fluorides to the patient's teeth.
Dental hygienists' additional tasks are patient screening procedures, reviews of patient health history, and oral health assessments. They also teach oral hygiene strategies like brushing, flossing.
Educational flexibility and room for career advancement
As a result of the specialized and valuable education, dental hygienists enjoy fulfilling careers that can lead to pursuing a variety of other careers within the dental industry. If you are interested in pursuing a career in the dental industry, there are various education options to choose from to meet your desired career goals. Many dental programs at community colleges can take about two years to complete to receive an associate's degree. An associate's degree from a community college meets the requirements to take the required licensing exams to work in a dentist's office.
State and/or regional exams test each candidates' knowledge of dental hygiene and the related subjects and their clinical dental hygiene skills. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) is the only agency approved to accredit dental hygiene education programs.
Dental hygiene programs taken at universities may require additional years of schooling to obtain a baccalaureate or master's degree. These programs can take up to two more years to complete. Dental Hygienists can also pursue additional training in other areas of the field like education, business administration, basic sciences, marketing, and public health.