Everybody loves a pretty smile. Smiles are among the first physical traits we all notice as human beings. When you assist people with their dental and oral health, you help provide them with an improved smile and ultimately more confidence.
Dental Hygienist Responsibilties
Dental hygienists are licensed oral healthcare professionals who provide preventative, educational and therapeutic services. In addition to cleaning teeth, hygienists examine patients for signs of oral disease and teach proper hygiene techniques. Regulations vary by state and several states allow hygienists to diagnose health issues and provide a range of treatments.
Aspiring hygienists typically must earn an associate’s degree before pursuing licensure to work as dental hygienist. All states require hygienists to be licensed and working hygienists must complete continuing education to maintain licensure. The Dental Hygiene program at Fortis is designed to get students educated and trained quicker than may be possible at many other institutions or traditional colleges.
While most hygienists work in dental offices, there are a variety of careers available in clinical, corporate, public health, research, and education capacities.
Dental Assistants Responsibilities
Dental assistants work alongside dentists to help provide quality oral health care and patient education. On the job, dental assistants may perform a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties. Duties can include preparing patients and the dentist’s work area for treatments and procedures, drying patients’ mouths using suction hoses and other equipment, record keeping and scheduling duties. Because this is such a wide range of skills, successful dental assistants must have the right combination of interpersonal and technical skills, which makes them invaluable members of the dental team.
Assistants can work in private, group and specialty dental practices, as well as mobile units, insurance companies, hospitals, nursing homes, school clinics and health facilities.
The dental industry is challenging and rewarding. If you dream about working in a healthcare service profession that requires you to have extensive knowledge and clinical training while developing relationships with patients, these careers could be a great fit for you.
Dental Programs at Fortis
Fortis is enrolling new students in the Dental Hygiene program at campuses in Alabama, Georgia, Maryland (Landover) and Utah. Dental Assistant training is offered at campuses in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Maryland (Towson), New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia. If you are interested in starting your career in the dental profession, check out our programs or call 1-855-436-7847 for more information.