Dental Hygiene Certificate?

Does having a certificate in Dental Hygiene lessen your chances of getting a job or the amount of money you're paid? The college in Houston that offers the program only has Baccalaureate or a certifcate option.





The baccalaureate program is very long and intense...And I'd rather have an Associates degree in the field.





Does anyone know if the certificate is a good idea?

Dental Hygiene Certificate?
Well you'd still be taking your boards and becoming an RDH right? I'm in a two year program in New York and we only get an A.A.S.. it's pretty intense too but then again it's only two years.. Being a RDH whether you have an associates or a bachelor's doesn't really effect getting a job or really how much you'll get paid because you will both have the same title - a Registered Dental Hygienist. (30-35 starting pay in my area :) ) The certificate is definitely a good idea if it entails you being an RDH %26amp; nothing less.
Reply:What are the Advantages of a Dental Hygiene Career?


Dental hygiene offers the following challenges and rewards:





Personal satisfaction: One of the most enjoyable aspects of a career in dental hygiene is working with people. Personal fulfillment comes from providing a valuable health care service while establishing trusting relationships with patients.





Prestige: As a result of their education and clinical training in a highly skilled discipline, dental hygienists are respected as valued members of the oral health care team.





Variety: Dental hygienists use a variety of interpersonal and clinical skills to meet the oral health needs of many different patients each day. Hygienists have opportunities to help special population groups such as children, the elderly and the disabled. They may also provide oral health instruction in primary and secondary schools and other settings.





Creativity: Because dental hygienists interact with such diverse population groups, they must be creative in their approach to patient management and oral health education.





Flexibility: The flexibility offered by full- and part-time employment options, as well as the availability of evening and weekend hours, enables dental hygienists to balance their career and lifestyle needs. Hygienists also have opportunities to work in a wide variety of settings including: private dental practices, educational and community institutions, research teams and dental corporations.





Security: The services that dental hygienists provide are needed and valued by a large percentage of the population. There is currently a great demand for dental hygienists. Employment opportunities will be excellent well into the next century. Due to the success of preventive dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral disease, the expanding older population will retain their teeth longer, and will be even more aware of the importance of regular dental care. With the emphasis on preventive care, dentists will need to employ more dental hygienists than ever before to meet the increased demand for dental services.





Practice patterns also influence employment opportunities for hygienists. With the current trend toward group practice and practice styles that stress effective and productive use of office personnel, job opportunities will continue to increase.





Where Do Dental Hygienists Work?


There are many employment opportunities in the field of dental hygiene, since many dentists employ one or more dental hygienists.





Hygienists are in demand in general dental practices, as well as in specialty practices such as periodontics or pediatric dentistry.





Dental hygienists are responsible for some important patient care services provided in a dental office, including removing calculus, stains and plaque from teeth, applying fluoride and pit and fissure sealants, taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays), providing oral hygiene instructions (e.g., brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling).





Hygienists may also be employed to provide dental hygiene services for patients in hospitals, nursing homes and public health clinics. Depending upon the level of education and experience achieved, dental hygienists can also apply their skills and knowledge to other career activities such as teaching hygiene students in dental schools and dental hygiene education programs. Research, office management and business administration are other career options. Additionally, employment opportunities may be available with companies that market dental-related materials and equipment.





What Education/Training Does a Dental Hygienist Need?


Dental hygienists receive their education through academic programs at community colleges, technical colleges, dental schools or universities. The majority of community college programs take at least two years to complete, with graduates receiving associate degrees. Receipt of this degree allows a hygienist to take licensure examinations (national and state or regional), become licensed and to work in a dental office. University-based dental hygiene programs may offer baccalaureate and master's degrees, which generally require at least two years of further schooling. These additional degrees may be required to embark on a career in teaching and/or research, as well as for clinical practice in school or public health programs.





Dental hygiene program admission requirements vary, depending upon the specific school. High school-level courses such as health, biology, psychology, chemistry, mathematics and speech will be beneficial in a dental hygiene career. Most programs show a preference for individuals who have completed at least one year of college. Some baccalaureate degree programs require that applicants complete two years of college prior to enrollment in the dental hygiene program. Counselors, advisors and prospective students should contact the particular dental hygiene program of interest for specific program requirements.





Dental hygiene education programs provide students with clinical education in the form of supervised patient care experiences. Additionally, these programs include courses in liberal arts (e.g., English, speech, sociology and psychology); basic sciences (e.g., anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, immunology, chemistry, microbiology and pathology); and clinical sciences (e.g., dental hygiene, radiology and dental materials). After completion of a dental hygiene program, dental hygienists can choose to pursue additional training in such areas as education, business administration, basic sciences, marketing and public health.





hope this helps! good luck in the dental field.