How To Transition From Being a Dental Hygienist to a Dentist
Careers in the dental profession offer very competitive pay and rewarding work experiences. A dental hygienist is one of the most popular jobs in the dental profession. This job allows candidates to enter the dental field without a medical degree. However, as the two jobs are closely related, many professionals will take dental hygienists as a career to work as dentists. In this article, we delve into what working as a dental hygienist and as a dentist can be like and consider how to transition from being a dental hygienist to a career as a dentist.
What is a Dentist?
A dentist is a doctor who specializes in treating oral health issues, including the teeth, gums and jaw. Dentists can recommend tests to diagnose their patient’s oral health. After getting reports, they prescribe medications and treatment plans to help patients improve their oral health. If required, they also perform procedures like sealants or whitening tools on patients’ teeth. Some dentists can also perform surgical procedures, such as pulling teeth or operating on soft tissue in the mouth.
What is a Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a dental professional who works with dentists to care for a patient’s teeth. They perform examinations on teeth to look for oral diseases or other conditions and clean patients’ teeth using dental equipment. They also assist a dentist and work with patients to help them maintain good oral health by teaching them how to maintain it at home. A dental hygienist has many primary responsibilities, such as:
- Clean and remove plaque, tartar, and stains from patients’ teeth.
- Perform and develop dental X-rays.
- Perform preliminary patient exams and assist dentists as needed.
- Use various hand, power, and ultrasonic tools to perform their duties.
- Apply fluorides and sealants to a patient’s teeth.
- Administer local anaesthetics to patients before their procedures.
- Communicate with dentists regarding dental findings on their patients.
- Assess a patient’s oral health.
- Document patient treatment plans and progress and review their dental histories and records to monitor their oral health.
- Educate patients on good oral hygiene.
Can a Dental Hygienist Become a Dentist?
Yes, a dental hygienist can transition to becoming a dentist, which is very common. The education and training required to work as a dental hygienist provide a good foundation to work as a dentist. Dental hygienists and dentists can also work in many of the same settings. That is why many dental hygienists are already familiar with the working environment of dentists. A dental hygienist might choose to become a dentist for many reasons, such as to earn a higher salary or to perform more advanced dental procedures.
What are the Similarities and Differences Between Dentists and Dental Hygienists?
Here are a few similarities and differences between dental hygienists and dentists:
Similarities
Dental hygienists and dentists have many similarities, including:
- Dental hygienists and dentists both work in the dental field.
- Dental hygienists and dentists both usually need a license.
- Both careers can require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
- Dental hygienists and dentists can benefit from having many of the same skills.
Differences
Although dental hygienists and dentists are similar in many ways, both are different in many ways, such as:
- Dentists need to attend dental school, while dental hygienists are not required to study in dental school.
- Dental hygienists can enter the field with an associate degree, while dentists need a doctoral degree.
- Dentists can prescribe medication and perform surgical procedures, while dental hygienists can only clean and examine teeth.
- Dental hygienists need a license in dental hygiene, while dentists need a dental license.
How to Transition from a Dental Hygienist to a Dentist?
Dental hygienists can transform into dentists by following these steps:
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A dental hygienist can begin their career by earning an associate degree. This coursework usually involves hands-on practice to gain clinical experience in a dental setting. Becoming a dentist requires a bachelor’s degree to fulfil the minimum education requirement. In dentistry, biology and biochemistry are major subjects; they learn about human anatomy and build skills to help them succeed in the dental profession.
Dental hygienists can also enrol in programs that allow them to earn a bachelor’s degree while attending dental school, which can streamline the education process and help them begin their new careers quickly. The length of a bachelor’s degree program depends on the type of institution. Students who enter the program with an associate degree may expect a shortened time frame.
Complete Dental School
Attending dental school is one of the clearest distinctions between working as a dental hygienist and a dentist. To practice in the field, all dentists must have a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (D.M.D.) degree or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree. They are earned by completing dental school. Most dental schools ask candidates to have a bachelor’s degree or to have completed at least three years of undergraduate education toward a bachelor’s degree. All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) as a component of their admission process.
Obtain a License
Earn a dental license is one of the final steps you can take to become a dentist after working as a dental hygienist. All dentists need a license to practice, which can be an especially important part of preparing for your new career. Most licensing programs require candidates to have a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree and to pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. Dentists must also receive a passing grade on the state or regional clinical exam that applies to where they live and plan to work.
Skills that Help Dental Hygienists to Become Dentists
Here are a few skills that can help dental hygienists after transitioning to a career as a dentist. They can use these skills, such as:
- Good communication and interpersonal skills to explain treatments to patients calmly and reassuringly and advise them on maintaining their teeth and gums health at home.
- A friendly, confident, and professional manner will help you effectively interact with patients and colleagues.
- Effective listening and motivational skills to educate patients to maintain healthy oral hygiene.
- Compassion while interacting with patients of all ages.
- Good at writing communication skills to complete and keep safe records of patients.
- Excellent manual dexterity and confidence in handling dental equipment.
- The ability to work well in a team, as well as independently.
- A caring quality and have an interest in helping people.
- Good eyesight and steady hands for carrying out precise dental work.
- The ability to maintain concentration for long periods.
Salary and Job Outlook for Dental Hygienists and Dentists
Here are some details about the salary and job outlook for dental hygienists and dentists:
Dental Hygienist
The average salary for a dental hygienist in the UK is around £35,000 to £45,000 per year, depending on experience and location. Starting salaries are typically between £27,055 and £32,934. Specialist dental hygienists can earn between £33,706 and £40,588. Most dental hygienists also receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Dental hygienists typically work 37 to 40 hours weekly, between 8am and 6pm on a rotation. Often, dental hygienists work in multiple settings during their working week, either in more than one dental practice, hospital or community dental service.
Dentist
A dentist’s salary in the UK can vary widely based on experience, specialization, and location. NHS dentists earn £36,288 during dental foundation training. After that, salaries can range from £47,653 to £101,923 for salaried dentists and £99,532 to £131,964 for consultants.
Private dentists can earn between £130,000 and £200,000, especially if they specialize in high-demand areas like cosmetic dentistry or oral surgery. Most dentists in general practice are self-employed contractors who mix NHS with private work. They can earn around £50,000 to £110,000. Dentists also typically qualify for employee benefits beyond their salaries, such as health insurance, loan assistance, and access to loan repayment programs.