Table of Contents
What are the risks of being a dental hygienist?
These include exposure to infections (including Human Immunodeficiency Virus and viral hepatitis); percutaneous exposure incidents, dental materials, radiation, and noise; musculoskeletal disorders; psychological problems and dermatitis; respiratory disorders; and eye insults.
What is the most challenging part of being a dental hygienist?
Because hygienists work long hours performing repetitive work that requires precise movements, they are highly susceptible to pain in their wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck and lower back. Dental cleaning requires hygienists to be seated in dental stools that require them to hunch over, which can cause back pain.
Is being a dental hygienist hard on your back?
According to Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, pain frequently experienced in the back may stem from tight muscles in other parts of the body. The repetitive motions associated with performing dental procedures can create tension in the hips, hands, shoulders and other hardworking body parts.
What are benefits of being a dental hygienist?
Pros and Cons of Being a Dental Hygienist
- PRO: Growing employment. The field of dental hygiene is growing rapidly.
- CON: Not much career variety.
- PRO: Great salary.
- CON: Can be repetitive.
- PRO: Minimal schooling.
- CON: Occasionally unpleasant patients.
- PRO: Flexibility.
Is dental hygienist difficult?
Dental hygiene classes require a high level of commitment. You will need to learn a great deal of course material in a short period. Being a dental hygienist is a gratifying job, but it can be a bit difficult. It’s nothing that you can’t handle with the proper degree of motivation, and patience.
Is dental hygiene a low stress job?
A job with a low stress level, good work-life balance and solid prospects to improve, get promoted and earn a higher salary would make many employees happy. Here’s how Dental Hygienists job satisfaction is rated in terms of upward mobility, stress level and flexibility.
Do dental hygienist have neck problems?
Purpose: Dental hygienists have been found to have high rates of neck and shoulder disorders, but there is very limited information on risk factors associated with those disorders, the level of risk for students, and the relationship of prior work as dental assistants for dental hygiene students.
Do dentists back hurt?
Dentists are at high risk for neck and back pain. Awkward working postures, repetitive work, and prolonged standing can result in damage to muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels, which can then lead to pain, fatigue, and various MSDs.
What is the best degree to become a dental hygienist?
There are currently 55 accredited programs that will allow you to earn a Bachelors degree as a dental hygienist in the United States, these degrees include: Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
What are the disadvantages of being a dental hygienist?
Disadvantages: It can be monotonous as there isn’t a large variety of procedures that hygienists can perform. There is possibility of repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome due to the micromechanics of the job. There is a large abundance of hygienists in most areas.
What skills are needed to be a dental hygienist?
Physical Skills. Dental hygienists need to be adept at using both hand and power tools to remove tartar, stains and plaque from teeth and to apply sealants, polishes and fluoride treatments. This requires a certain level of hand-eye coordination to manipulate the instruments properly.
Is dental hygienist a good career?
A career as a dental hygienist can be a rewarding and fulfilling one. For persons interested in the medical field, this career is worthy of consideration. As can be seen, the salary is good and there is the prospect of growth. Many dental hygienists work part-time and even hold down more than one job.