Can I Continue to Become a Dental Hygienist After I Get Certified Dental Assistant

Are you looking at a career in Dentistry? If so, you may be wondering about the difference between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist. What are their different job responsibilities? How much does a dental assistant make versus a dental hygienist? What are the facts about dental assistants and dental hygienists? What career path makes more sense for you?

This blog looks at the two roles and gives you an idea of the kind of career path that might work for you. To begin, what is the difference between the two jobs? The main difference is that:

• dental assistants workdirectly for the dentist—sitting chairside and helping with procedures
• dental hygienists workdirectly with patients—providing professional teeth cleanings to help remove plaque and stains.

Because dental hygienists work directly on the patients' mouths, they require more training than a dental assistant. A dental hygienist needs at least an associate's degree, whereas a dental assistant can get the necessary training through a shorter, non-degree program, like the 12 week program at FLDATS.

What does a dental assistant do?

Dental assistants are trained professionals who play an important part in the day-to-day functioning of dental offices. Here are some of the tasks that dental assistants do on a regular basis:

• Prepare instruments for upcoming procedures
• Assist the dentist with procedures by handing them needed instruments (chairside assisting)
• Handle lab procedures such as cleaning dentures, taking impressions, making temporary crowns and processing orders
• Provide patients with oral health care education and home care instructions for procedures completed
• Update dental records and other administrative tasks
• Coronal Polishing

The exact duties of a dental assistant will vary depending on the job. Some dental assistants spend more time in the lab, while others may have administrative duties such as scheduling appointments and organizing paperwork.

With dental assisting, no two days are ever the same! Many dental assistants like the variety of tasks they get to handle. While a hygienist spends most of the day providing teeth cleanings, a dental assistant tends to have a wider variety of tasks throughout the day

What does a dental hygienist do?

Dental hygienists spend much of their day providing professional teeth cleanings to patients. With specialized instruments and techniques, they remove stains, plaque, and tartar from the patient's teeth. They also examine the patient's mouth for any signs of oral diseases, and they help educate patients on good dental hygiene. Here are some of the things they do on the job:

• Remove plaque and tartar from teeth
• Administer sealants and fluoride treatments
• Take x-rays
• Update patients' records and treatment plans
• Discuss home care with patients

Hygienists play a critical role in improving the dental health of their patients. With regular cleanings by the hygienist, patients can keep their teeth healthier, and decrease their chances of decay and gum disease.

Difference between a Dental Assistant and a Dental Hygienist

	Dental Assistant	Dental Hygienist
Responsibilities	Works directly with dentist	Works directly with patients
Typical tasks	Assisting the dentist with procedures (chairside assisting), taking impressions, lab tasks, temporary crowns, administrative tasks	Professional teeth cleanings, patient education, x-rays
Requirements for enrolling/applying to school	High school diploma (or GED) is required to enroll in training	High school diploma and prerequisite science and math courses are required to apply
Length of training	12 week program through FLDATS	2- to 3-year associate's degree program
Job outlook for future	Currently in high demand in Florida	High demand in Florida

How do you become a dental assistant?

Becoming a dental assistant is easier and faster than becoming a dental hygienist. Most dental assistant training programs take under a year to complete. To get into a dental assistant training program, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent (such as a GED). Once enrolled, you will study topics such as: dental anatomy, procedures, chairside assisting, radiology, and office procedures. You can find dental assistant schools in community colleges, private career schools, and other technical schools.

How do you become a dental hygienist?

Hygienist programs are longer and more challenging than dental assistant programs, and the application process can be competitive. Typically, it helps if you have taken courses in biology, chemistry, and math in high school. If you haven't taken these courses, you may need to take additional prerequisite courses before starting the dental hygienist program. Once accepted into the program, it usually takes 2 to 3 years to earn your associate's degree. The program will include topics like physiology, radiography, pathology, anatomy, periodontics, and nutrition, as well as lab courses where you will learn clinical skills. Community colleges, technical schools, and universities offer dental hygienist training programs.

How much does a dental assistant make compared with a dental hygienist?

Because dental hygienists undergo more training and have more responsibility, they usually make a higher salary than dental assistants. See the below information from the United States Department of  Bureau of Labor and Statistics

• How much a dental assistant can expect to make
• How much a dental hygienist can expect to make

Benefits of being a dental assistant

If you're still not sure which career path you should choose, consider some of the benefits of becoming a dental assistant:

• Short-term, quick-start training program
• No prerequisite courses required
• Opportunities to get to know patients
• Variety of job tasks, from assisting the dentist, to making temporary crowns, to relining dentures
• Knowledge that you are helping patients achieve better dental health
• Professional, courteous work environment with regular hours

Benefits of being a dental hygienist

Becoming a dental hygienist has many of the same benefits as becoming a dental assistant. Here are some of the reasons why people choose this career path:

• A professional dental position that doesn't require a full four-year degree
• Opportunities to get to know your patients
• Autonomy on the job
• Knowledge that your work is directly improving the dental health of your patients
• Professional, courteous work environment with regular hours

What are some of the skills and qualities you need to succeed?

To determine whether you're a good fit for a dental profession, take a moment to reflect on your personality, strengths, and challenges. Here are some of the traits that are useful for people who want to enter the dental field.

• Good "people" skills – for interacting with patients
• Good manual dexterity – for handling dental instruments.  We call it 4 handed dentistry!
• Organized – for managing a wide range of patient needs
• Detail oriented – for carrying out dental procedures according to exact protocols
• Listening skills – for understanding what the dentist needs you to do

If you have these skills, and are interested in the field of dentistry, then becoming an assistant or a hygienist might be a good career move for you. Take some time to consider the pros and cons of both career paths before deciding which is best for you. Good luck with your decision!  Want more information about Florida Dental Assistant Training Schools (FLDATS)?  Please call us at 407-960-3686 and we are happy to help answer any questions!

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Source: https://fldats.com/2019/07/18/should-i-become-a-dental-assistant-or-dental-hygienist/

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