Career Questions and Answers
How hard is it to find a job as a dental hygienist?
Asked by Jennifer K
I have just finished my first semester in nursing school and did not enjoy it at all. So I am thinking about transferring into a dental hygiene program before I go too far in my nursing career. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was hard to get a job as a dental hygienist and what would help me get in to a good dental office. I am thinking about going to school to be a dental assistant first and was wondering if that will be hard to find a job in as well. Thank you!
Asked by Jennifer K
I have just finished my first semester in nursing school and did not enjoy it at all. So I am thinking about transferring into a dental hygiene program before I go too far in my nursing career. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was hard to get a job as a dental hygienist and what would help me get in to a good dental office. I am thinking about going to school to be a dental assistant first and was wondering if that will be hard to find a job in as well. Thank you!
A:
Best Answer:
It depends on the area that you are looking at working in. Some areas have a higher demand than others. You will probably not have much of a problem finding work on a part-time basis, most of the hygienists that I know work part time at several offices. Some dentists like having assistants that work and move up to a hygienist position. Others do not like to spend the time training an assistant who will leave or work a reduced schedule after they start school. I am currently in a dental hygiene program and the hours are not flexible. We go to school during the day while most dentists offices are open. And as you know most of these programs do not offer a part-time option. Why am I saying this; because it might be difficult to find a part-time job and go to school if you are limiting yourself to a dentists office. Your choice of dental hygiene is a stable one and depending on the area that you live in it could be a very lucrative one. Good Luck.
It depends on the area that you are looking at working in. Some areas have a higher demand than others. You will probably not have much of a problem finding work on a part-time basis, most of the hygienists that I know work part time at several offices. Some dentists like having assistants that work and move up to a hygienist position. Others do not like to spend the time training an assistant who will leave or work a reduced schedule after they start school. I am currently in a dental hygiene program and the hours are not flexible. We go to school during the day while most dentists offices are open. And as you know most of these programs do not offer a part-time option. Why am I saying this; because it might be difficult to find a part-time job and go to school if you are limiting yourself to a dentists office. Your choice of dental hygiene is a stable one and depending on the area that you live in it could be a very lucrative one. Good Luck.
A:
It is not difficult to find a job as a dental hygienist depending on the state and region you live in. I have worked for the federal government for 7 years in different agenices as a dental hygienist contractor and now a full-time permanent federal employee. The pay is not as good as private practice, but the job security, benefits, and ability to move to different places is second to none. I have never had a hard time finding a job federally or in private practice....and I even lived in South Dakota for awhile! My little sister was a nursing student that like you did not enjoy it. She switched to dental hygiene and graduated last year. She found a job in 1 month. The pay is great. The hours are as flexible as you want them to be. It is a great career!
Answered by LiZZard
Answered by LiZZard
Best Answers are selected by the person who asked the question or other Yahoo! users. Find out more at Yahoo! Answers
Find Career & Employment Answers
Enter a keyword below to find questions and answers from real people