Dental Hygienist Planning 11 Hanna Olson

Job Overview  Dental hygienists are health-care professionals who provide preventive dental care, such as cleaning and they also teach patients about good oral hygiene.  Hygienists first examine the person's teeth and gums. They record the presence of diseases or abnormalities so they can alert the dentist.  Hygienists then perform a cleaning on the teeth: they remove hardened plaque, as well as stains. Then they apply fluoride treatments and pit and fissure sealants.  Hygienists also take and develop X-rays, put in temporary fillings, and smooth and polish metal restorations.

Why am I interested in this Career? I am interested in this career because I know quite a few people who work in dentist offices and who are going to school for dentistry. What led me to be interested in this job are my aunties. Both my aunties' work in the dentist industry and I always thought it might be a fun job. I think it fits my personality and strengths pretty well because I like to help people when I can and I'm good with all sorts of people.

Education Pathway I would like to go to UBC Vancouver and take the 'Bachelor of Dental Science' program. The Entry-to-Practice Admission Option is a full-time, four-year degree program at UBC-Vancouver that includes didactic and clinical instruction and leads to a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Science. My first year would cost around 16,273.

Salary/Future Outlook In BC a Dental Hygienist can expect to make around 62,400 a year. This job may not be in demand because a lot of people turn to dentistry these days, but if I go ahead and take a 4 year course then it could open doors for me to go and apply for different job offerings.

Working Conditions In Canada a Dental hygienists typically work 32-hour weeks with full benefits. Risk of injuries could be being bitten by someone or contracting illness because you would be looking in people mouths all day. Dental hygienists work year round and during the days. The work is always indoors and would be wearing gloves, scrubs and a face mask. You have to be good with people because of working with patients all day. Patience could be scared or nervous and you would have to be able to work with them and know how to be considerate and make them feel comfortable.

Related Occupations  A Dental Assistant

Resources Web:  ygiene/EntryToPractice/default.asp  do?locale=en_CA# People:  Cheryl Wolfe  Kelly Blackmore  Janelle O’Rourke