Dental Hygienist

Throughout my four years of high school, I have changed my mind several times on what I wanted to pursue as my career after graduation. As a senior, I have realized that all along, the dentistry field has been one of my many interests. Unlike many children, growing up as a child I have always enjoyed going to the dentist office for my teeth cleanings. Now that I am 17 and graduating in the next five months, I have decided that the Human and Health Services field, Dental Hygiene in particular, is the career pathway that I am most interested in and would like to pursue further after graduation. In pursuing this occupation, I understand that there are many personality traits that I must present. Since Dental Hygienists are around people each day at work, a hygienist must be outgoing, ambitious, and willing to interact with several different types of people. One must also get along with his or her co-workers, be a hard worker, and be willing to adapt to change that may occur in their workplace; these would be considered as required personality traits to excel in this occupation.

As a Dental Hygienist, you are considered to be a specially trained health care professional who help to maintain the dental health of patients and also prevent oral health problems that may occur due to poor oral hygiene habits and techniques (Dental Hygienist). Dental Hygienists see their patients for their routine appointments every six months where they receive a teeth exam and cleaning. As Dental Hygienists, many different tasks are to be performed daily. Hygienists must be willing to administer anesthesia to their patient, give patients their annual teeth cleanings, and also assist dentists while performing fillings, teeth bleaching, sealant, and root canals by making sure the patient is as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Some benefits of becoming a Dental Hygienist are the flexible schedules that are given to those who work part-time. About 50% of hygienists work part-time in