Dental Assistant or Hygienist – Which One Is Right for You?
Dental health is a critical part of our overall health and well-being. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right dental health profession for you. Do you want to work directly with patients? If so, you may want to become a dental assistant or hygienist. And if you are looking for a school to enroll in, you can check for dental hygiene schools in Georgia to see what they have to offer. Read on to learn more about these two professions and decide which one is right for you.
Dental Assistants
Dental assistants are an important part of the dental health team. They work closely with dentists, providing patients with quality care. Dental assistants typically have an Associate’s degree or certificate from a dental assisting program. Some states require licensure for dental assistants.
Job duties for a dental assistant include:
- Assisting the dentist during procedures
- Taking X-rays
- sterilizing instruments
- preparing patients for dental procedures
- providing postoperative instructions to patients
Dental assistants typically work in a private dental office but may also work in a hospital or clinic setting. Most dental assistants work full time, although some work part-time. If you are interested in becoming a dental assistant, you should have good communication skills and be able to work well under pressure. You should also be detail oriented and have good hand-eye coordination.
Dental Hygienists
Dental hygienists are an important part of the dental health team. They clean teeth, take x-rays and educate patients on how to care for their teeth. If you are interested in becoming a dental hygienist, you will need to complete an accredited dental hygiene program. Most dental hygienist programs take two to three years to complete. During your program, you will take classes in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and other sciences. You will also complete clinical rotations and gain hands-on experience working with patients.
After you graduate from a dental hygiene program, you will need to pass a national exam to become licensed. Once you are licensed, you can begin working in a dental office. If you are interested in advanced career options, you can complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in dental hygiene. You could work in research, teaching, or public health with further education. You could also pursue a career as a dental hygienist in another country.
