Dental Hygienist Salary, Job Description and Opportunities

by Kris on July 12, 2011

Dental hygienists play an important role in the dental office.  They are licensed professionals who assist dentists in providing preventive care for patients.  The current demand for dental hygienists is at is peak, and according to labor statistics, will continue to increase through the years.

Dental Hygienist Job Description

Dental hygienist salary tasks include administering routine dental procedures to patients, such as prophylaxis, removing stains, conducting tooth x-rays, fluoride applications and occasionally performing temporary fillings. They are also tasked to inform patients on proper dental care such as regular brushing and flossing, as well as to discuss the importance of regular dental visits.  The extent of what dental hygienists are allowed to do is mandated by each State.

In some cases, especially in small dental offices, dental hygienists are also required to set up appointments, do laboratory work, make models for dentures and keep the dental office clean and sanitary.

Training For A Dental Hygienist Salary Career

In order to qualify for the position of a dental hygienist, one must have at least a high school education.  A two-year associate program is enough for you to work at a private dental clinic, while a bachelor degree is required if you plan to work at a public dental office or in public school systems.  A dental hygienist certificate or degree should come from a school accredited with the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

The coursework in dental hygiene program often includes chemistry, microbiology, histology, physiology, nutrition and basic anatomy. A good dental hygiene course should prepare you for the licensing exam and should cover other practical applications such as operating dental equipment for cleaning teeth, for shaping denture molds, etc.

Each State has its own set of criteria for licensing, although most require a dental hygienist to pass the examination conducted by the American Dental Association or ADA. The first part of the exam covers the theories of dental hygiene, while the second part is a clinical test that checks the student’s understanding of basic dental procedures.

Financing and Scholarships for Dental Hygienists

Granted that the field of dental hygiene is currently teeming with possibilities, what often stops students from embarking on this career path is the cost of tuition.  If you plan to go to a dental hygienist school, there are several options you could choose to finance your education.  Student loans are always possible, but it is better to tap on scholarships and grants, because these do not have to be paid back.  Here are just some of the organizations where dental hygienists students can seek aid to finance their education

  1. ADA (American Dental Association) gives out annual scholarships for $1,000.  Every year the organization grants scholarships to full-time, American students who have attained GPAs of at least 3.0.
  2. Colgate Palmolive Minority Scholarship awards a yearly amount of $1,250 to students who belong to minority groups and have completed a year of dental hygiene program.
  3. Other federal programs that provide financing for dental hygienists are:
    • Stafford loans
    • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
    • Pell Grants
    • Federal Work Study
    • Federal Family Education Loan Program

You would need to file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in order to determine which federal loan or grant is the best for you.

Dental Hygienist Salary Outlook

Generally, a dental hygienist salary will depend on the location of employment, the extent of work experience and the level of education.  Those who have been working for many years and who have achieved either a bachelor’s or masteral degree will surely receive higher salaries.  The average salary earned by dental hygienists is about $65,000 – $90,000 per annum, based on a Bureau of Labor Statistics report.  Those who work in public health systems often receive better wages and other benefits, with higher chances of career advancement than those who work in the private sector.  These benefits usually include paid vacation and sick leaves and also group health plans.

Dental hygienist salary is expected to increase faster than that of other jobs for at least another 5 years.  There will be a growing demand for dental hygienists as people become more aware of the importance of oral care.

If you want to be a part of a growing field that has a lot of career opportunities, consider entering a dental hygienist program.  This is not just a lucrative profession, but is also rewarding as you will be helping people, especially children maintain their dental health.

{ 0 comments }

Ultrasound Technician Salary

by Kris on July 8, 2011

Every person in a hospital, be it a physician, a nurse, a therapist, a pharmacist or a technician, plays a very important role in delivering patient care. It’s a joint effort and not one of these individuals can do the entire job single handedly. Talking about technicians, there are a variety of techs available at a hospital, who assist doctors in various medical processes. Some of them include radiology techs, surgical techs and ultrasound techs.

When we hear the word ‘ultrasound’, the first thing that comes to our mind is pregnancy. Likewise, ultrasound technicians seem to be conducting ultrasounds for various pregnancy related matters. But, the scope is not as limited. These technicians use specialized devices that produce sound waves. These waves help them to diagnose images of various parts of the body and that consequently facilitates in identifying the patients’ ailment and many other medical conditions. Considering such a procedure, it should be ensured that the ultrasound technicians are technically sound, detail-oriented and focused. Moreover, they should have excellent oral and written communication skills so that they are able to interpret the ultrasounds well. Also, since they deal with the patients on a one-to-one basis, it is essential that they be empathetic, personable and soothing so as to be able to put the patients at ease.

The basic duties of ultrasound technicians are:

  • To record the medical history of patients
  • To maintain details regarding the ultrasound exams, such as jackets, pathology files, daily logs, medical imaging requisitions, and patient charts
  • To assist the patients during the ultrasound process
  • To control and adjust, as required, the ultrasound equipment in order to capture the readings and images of the specific areas and angles of the patient’s body, as requested by the physician
  • To ensure whether correct and visually strong images of the required areas have been captured
  • To report the findings to the physician for diagnosis

Certification is not mandatory if one wants to become an ultrasound technician. However, to obtain better job opportunities, certification is definitely the key. The techs can train themselves at colleges, universities and hospitals. A background in science or health is a requirement considering the nature of the field. Graduates from accredited programs are basically taught anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, instrumentation and patient care. Institutions offer two-year and four-year programs, with the two-year program being the more common one. At the end of the program, students are given a Bachelor’s or as Associate Degree, which makes entry into this field easy. Students who intend to pursue their career in this field are generally ready to take the necessary required certification exam after graduating, the continuing education is a must to maintain the certification. These training programs also include internships where students learn how they should use the ultrasound equipment, how they should depict images and how they should analyze them. Moreover, students may also choose to specialize in particular areas/types of ultrasound such as in gynecology/obstetrics, neurosonography, echocardiography, etc.

Considering the importance of developing individuals in this field, various government agencies offer scholarships and financing options for students who intend to opt for a certification or continuing education in this field. Also, many hospitals and nursing homes finance their employed Ultrasound Technicians for pursuing part-time certifications so as to brush up their skills.

The demand for skilled ultrasound technicians is increasing by the day. The prime reason for this is that ultrasound is considered much safer than X-rays and MRIs and is, thus, becoming a preferred procedure. Another reason for the popularity of this job is the improvement in diagnostic medical equipment using sound waves. Due to this advancement, the use of this process has become more widespread in health institutions, thus opening the door of job opportunities for ultrasound techs in various hospitals, diagnostic centers, and physicians’ offices.

 

Because of the increased demand, the ultrasound technicians are earning well nowadays. They may earn from $25,ooo to $75,ooo annually depending upon their education, training, experience and the city/country where they are employed. Furthermore, becoming an ultrasound tech is a very good way of career advancement for students with the necessary background of study.  This is because more people are seriously considering entering into the medical community, thereby increasing its scope.  Moreover, the medical field has proven to be a stronger workplace that doesn’t get very shaky even in the midst of downward economic conditions. No matter what, health care will always be a priority for every person, and of every government as well. This makes the job of an ultrasound technician a job worth trying out for.

{ 0 comments }