What are the pro's and con's of being a Dental Hygientist. I would like some input from current DH's

Answer 1

The pro's to being a hygienist are the short work week, usually 4 days. Never having to work over time, unless you're just running late with a patient. You usually don't have a boss standing over your shoulder telling you what to do all the time. Getting to know and help your patients and their families in their over all dental health is rewarding. The demand for the job is high, making it easy to find a job. There are some who just work when they want for different dentist, filling in when someone is out sick or needs the day or week off.

The con's to being one are the income is really not enough for a single person to live off of and support them selves with a home, car, medical insurance and retirement. Having to treat patients from all walks of life, some of which are more than lacking in oral hygiene and won't take your advise on how to correct their problems. You can't pick and choose your patients or refuse to clean their teeth no matter how bad you might want to. Always being rushed with your patients if your doctor is a demanding employer and wants you to treat "X" amount of patients per day. Also the repetitive work of cleaning teeth, charting, x rays, working on recalls to keep your book filled, and keeping up with supplies and specials on a day to day basis is sometimes boring.
There are also the continuing education classes that you have to have to maintain your license.

It's a good career to go into if you are a caring and compassionate person who enjoys helping people from all walks of life with various dental problems that can sometimes be challenging. It's not a job you just decide to do one day. It takes a certain type of person that can do this type of work. If you are considering this as a profession, talk with your dentist and ask if you can observe during a average work day. It will give you an idea if this job is for you or not. You get a totally different aspect of this profession from the other chair. Good luck and I hope I've given you some things to consider about our profession!

In response to Hunter's remarks, there aren't any hygienist, and I mean any (no matter how good they are) that make the amount of money he's claiming they make. A person can make a decent living as an additional income along with their husband's. I guess it depends on just how high your living standards are too.

Answer 2

i dont get why this guy said th eincome isnt high, my uncle is rich as hell and he plays golf 3x a week and hes only 45 and he make slike 170,000 a year thats hellla good enough fo rme
plu she has a 13,000 surround sound 78 inch lcd t.v in his basement it was the **** watching th super bowl on it