These are some of the challenges that many dental hygienists face, physical pain. Stress from those busy schedules. When you're in dental hygiene school, you see a few patients a week. Body wear and tear, including repetitive injuries, affects many hygienists at some point in their careers.
Carpal tunnel, hip, shoulder, neck and hand injuries are common complaints among hygienists and can put an end to their career. Twisting, turning, bending over, and doing repetitive movements can place unusual stress on the body. Investing in personal care and equipment to reduce the chance of musculoskeletal injuries is key to ensuring a lasting career in the field of dental hygiene. You can also take your 2-year degree in dental hygiene and turn it into a 4-year degree in the field of dentistry while still earning a living doing something you like.
You can be an involved parent with this advantage if you have a family. It's rare for you to work on weekends, holidays, or even nights in most situations. The pros and cons of being a dental hygienist balance the desire to earn a fair and competitive salary in the health field and, at the same time, managing sometimes challenging situations. This type of work isn't for everyone.
If you want to help people and don't mind having occasional patients with challenging physical or emotional needs, then the requirement of 2 years (or less) of training could help you start a new career in a very short time. Consider each key point carefully before making a decision. Traditional dental operator chairs are wider and deeper; as a result, the operator sits on the edge of the chair, causing pain and discomfort in the lower back. While employment opportunities for dental hygienists are increasing, today's schools are graduating many people who are ready to start their careers.
While dental hygienists work longer hours than nurses and other professionals, the amount of work they do each day can quickly cause exhaustion. A large part of the variety will depend on the amount of technology your dental office implements, as it is more widespread. Dental therapists, remote practice, and other opportunities are made possible by legislation and advances in technology. Dental hygiene also offers several opportunities outside of traditional clinical practice, where most dental hygiene staff work.
If you become a dental hygienist, your certification allows you to provide services in your home state. Compared to other career options available in the healthcare industry, a dental hygienist has more opportunities to find work than other positions. Most of what dental patients pay (or can afford) when they visit the dentist is regular dental cleaning, some exams, or the occasional tooth extraction or extraction. With a low unemployment rate of 0.5% and an expected high employment growth rate of 5.9% until 2029, a career as a dental hygienist attracts many.
It's always important to take care of the health of your spine and neck when it comes to being a dental hygienist. As baby boomers age and keep their teeth longer, their influence on the importance of regular dental care can help make everyone more aware of the need for dental services. According to Simmer-Beck and Branson (20), “the literature suggests that the optimal diameter for dental instruments and mirrors is at least 10 mm, the optimal weight is 15.0 g or less, and padding decreases muscle activity (conclusions section).