1. Chapter Dental Public Health & Research Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Third Edition Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Careers in Dental Public Health 20

2. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Objectives After studying this chapter, the dental hygiene student should be able to: Define public health. Describe various governmental opportunities. Define dental hygiene positions in these areas.

3. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Competencies After studying this chapter and participating in accompanying course activities, the dental hygiene student should be competent to do the following: Provide community services in a variety of settings.

4. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Basic Dental Hygiene Information Dental hygienists are eligible to practice in public health with an entry-level degree. Government positions include U.S. Public Health Services (PHS) and the U.S. Civil Service. Other private agency positions are available.

5. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe

6. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Career The U.S. PHS Commissioned Corps is a major division of the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides highly trained and mobile health professionals who carry out programs to promote the health of the nation, understand and prevent disease and injury, assure safe and effective drugs, and respond to medical emergencies. It also provides the opportunity to move up the career ladder in the U.S. PHS.

7. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe

8. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Health Service Officers Include dental hygienists Must be a U.S. citizen Must be under 44 years of age

9. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Health Service Officers (cont'd) Must meet medical requirements Must pass an initial suitability test Must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program Must have qualifying experience for appointment to a particular area: –Employment –Research –Further training in dental hygiene –Teaching at college or university level –Relevant graduate studies and/or research

10. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe U.S. Civil Service Composed of all appointed positions in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the federal government (excludes military) Opportunities in civil service in many government agencies and institutions These includes: –Federal prisons –VA hospitals –Military bases

11. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Application Requirements Position vacancies are announced on the Web site with additional requirements Current resume Copies of transcripts, licenses, or certificates

12. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Application Process First the application material is reviewed. The highest-ranking candidates are referred to a supervisor or selecting official. Those who are employed are given secret service clearance. Employee benefits include health and life insurance, a retirement plan, and long- term disability insurance.

13. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe U.S. Civil Service Positions National Health Service Corps VA hospital dental hygiene careers Military base dental hygiene careers Federal prison dental hygiene careers

14. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe U.S. Civil Service Positions (cont'd) Independent contractor Dental staffing agency employee Student dental public health opportunities State opportunities International opportunities

15. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe National Health Service Corps Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration Committed to improving health of the nation’s underserved by uniting communities in need with caring health professionals and supporting communities’ efforts to build better systems of care

16. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe National Health Service Corps (cont'd) Dental hygienists can get repayment of loans. Dental hygienists can have a significant impact on a community.

17. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe VA Hospital VA hospitals were created to treat the ongoing disabilities of veterans incurred during military service. Care is delivered through 172 medical centers and 55 outpatient clinics.

18. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe VA Hospital (cont'd) Dental services are located in each medical clinic and outpatient center. Dental hygienists are employed as civil service employees in VA dental services clinics.

19. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Military Base Careers Practice in a military branch dental clinic as a civil service employee, independent contractor, professional dental management employee, or active-duty personnel Frequently work with a variety of dentists, specialists, and other health care providers

20. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Federal Prison Careers Provide routine and advanced prophylactic and therapeutic dental care to the inmate population Responsible for planning and directing the preventive dental health program

21. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Federal Prison Careers (cont'd) Applicants must have experience with expanded functions. They can be hired as civil service employees, independent contractors, U.S. Public Officers, or employees of a professional dental management firm.

22. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Independent Contractor Dental hygienists who are in business for themselves Also called consultants, freelancers, self- employed, and business owners

23. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Independent Contractor (cont'd) Independent contractors may provide clinical services, consultative services, and educational services. They are usually paid more than regular employees, but do not get benefits. There are different legal tests for determining working status/classification.

24. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Dental Staffing Agency These are professional management firms that provide health care personnel. Dental hygienists are employees of the agency, not the government.

25. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Dental Staffing Agency (cont'd) Dental hygienists are paid by the management company. DPS is an example of a company that provides dental services to the: –Air Force –Army –Coast Guard –Navy –Federal Bureau of Prisons

26. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Student Dental Health Opportunities Public Health Services established the COSTEP program for students. COSTEP is the commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program. COSTEP allows students to enhance their educational backgrounds.

27. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe COSTEP Requirements Complete 1 year of study in medical, dental, or veterinary school or 2 years of study in an accredited baccalaureate program in various areas of study Expected to return to studies after COSTEP program participation

28. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe COSTEP Requirements (cont'd) Candidates must be a U.S. citizen under 44 years of age. There is a junior and senior COSTEP program (requirements vary slightly).

29. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe State Opportunities Dental hygienists are employed as clinicians, educators, administrators, or researchers. Some states employ dental hygienists with additional education as the state dental director.

30. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe International Opportunities Only 25 countries educate dental hygienists; therefore, there are ample opportunities for other dental hygienists. Dental hygienists can initiate dental public health programs or dental hygiene schools in other countries. The list of opportunities is available on- line.

31. Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 3/e Christine Nielsen Nathe Summary There are various employment opportunities for dental hygienists in the United States and internationally. All of these opportunities allow for further career development.