I’m considering being a dental hygienist. I’m going to apply to 2 dental hygiene schools this fall, but before I do I want to get real advice from people working in the field. How is the employment? I heard most dentist’s only want part time workers (maybe 1-2 days a week.) Is it common to work in 2-3 dental offices? Are you mostly on your feet all day? How is it being up close with patients and their teeth? What do dental hygienist’s do the most? Is the work repetitive? How competitve are the medical/dental benefits that dentists give to hygienists? Is it competitve to get into a dental hygiene school? How difficult is the school? Did anyone regret their decision to be a dental hygienist once they started working in the field? My other back-up choices are Radiology Technologist or Ultrasound Technician if Dental Hygiene doesn’t work out. If anyone has first hand experience with those jobs could you tell me about your work?
A friend of mine just finished her schooling and started working as a dental assistant (different than a hygenist, I think) within the last year. I can forward this question and get her opinions on the subject.