Career in dental hygiene.?

What do you like most about your job?
What do you like least about your job?
How long have you been in this career?
What program did you go through in school?
Do you work full time or part time?
Is it a stressful environment?
Do you get tired of doing the same thing day after day?
Do you see yourself doing this for the rest of your career?
What is your personality type and is it a good fit for your job?
What skills do you most use in your job? Least use?
Do you have to do continued education classes for your certification?
Do you experience a lot of body paid (back and neck pain) due to your job?
I graduated in 2002 with a BS in Finance and Management. Since then I have worked in the business field. I am looking at a career change. I have the option to attend a 2 year dental hygiene program at a community college.
Will employers want to hire me with just a 2 yr degree in dental hygiene, even though I have 5 yrs of work experience (in the business field)?

Boy, you have asked a lot of questions. Here it goes.

First of all I am not a dental hygienist, but I do speak with quite a few people that have gone through the local community college program. Out of the four, not one is unhappy or dissatisfied with their position. One of them (my brothers sister in law) has gone back for some additional certifications. She is none making over 100,000. Not that money should be the only factor, but she has been doing this for a little over 5 years. She loves her patients, and enjoys the office that she works at. She started there right out of college with her two year degree. She can setup her schedule to accomadate what she needs.

As for the others, they all graduated last year and had positions lined up before they received their state licensing. All but one works full-time. The other one was preganant and took a position part-time; but she said that she constantly recieved calls for full-time work.

In my opinion, these people are all out going and enjoy what they are doing.

As for me, I have my BA in accounting and business. I have been doing this for over 15 years and work in finance. I have reached that point that I either need to go back and get my masters, or look for something else. I cannot see myself sitting behind a desk for the next 20+ years. I am too much of a people person. I also enjoy helping others so this seemed like a natural fit.

I will apply to my local program in the early spring and hope to start my classes next summer. Since the program is very compeitive, I am crossing my fingers. I have completed all of my prerequisits, so now I just sit and wait. My only regret is that I did not do this sooner.

As for finding a job with the two-year degree, I am very hopeful. In the area that I live, there are always job ads for part-time and some full-time positions. I have heard that some hygienists will work at more than one place and they tend to earn a higher salary. In some of these situations, they will become permanent full-timers if the fit is right.

Good Luck with your choice, and I am sure you will do fine.

I am a dental hygienist. I currently am not working because I have a 6 month old and I opted to stay home for the time being. I have been a dental hygienist for 5 years. I went to a 4 year university for 3 years and couldn't really decide what I wanted to do, was pursuing business but felt that wouldn't be the right choice for me. I chose dental hygiene because I liked the flexibility and the pay. I worked Monday through Thursday and made approx. $32/hour. It depends on your area what kind of pay. Also, it is hard to find a full time job and many dentists do not offer benefits. I was lucky, mine paid health insurance and I had a 401K, which she also matched up to 3%. I liked my job because of the patients, every 50 minutes, it's a new person and if you get to know the patients in your practice, you get to know their families, kids, etc. What I didn't like: physically demanding. Your back, neck and hands can really take a beating because of the repetitious nature of your work. They are teaching alot of new ergonomics to help with this, but it is a big downfall of the job. Notice how you never see any very old hygienists!!:) Work environment can be stressful in a dental office. You are dealing with people in fear much of the time. It is your job to help ease their fears, educate them without insulting them, be thorough without hurting them. It also depends on your office. The office I worked for was stressful just because of the schedule and the people who ran it! Not every dentist or staff is like that. I went through a 2 year associate degree program. Currently in our area, there are no longer any 4 year programs. If you already have a 4 year degree, you don't need another one. But I don't think it is a downfall at all. I think to have outside experience is a good thing. You understand how business operates and that is also helpful. I did find hygiene kind of monotonous. School is the hardest part as far as challenging your mind. Sometimes I felt like my mind was going to waste! We just had a law passed in Wisconsin for continuing education. We need 12 credit hours every two years. Very easy to do. You can take online or CE in magazines, etc. I think it is a great career if you desire flexibility and good pay. You can work a few days a week or full time. You can get a job anywhere (after licensing requirements are fulfilled) I am planning on staying home for awhile with my son. I am 33 and it might be my only one! I will probably return to dental hygiene on a part time basis, but I am thinking of returning to finish my BS. To do what, I am still not sure! Possibly teach. If you have any other questions, just let me know!