Hygiene Degree

irena in Delta, British Columbia said: actually right now THERE ARE NO JOBS for dental hygienists in the lowever mainland. There are way too many schools/graduates and no jobs. I have been looking for a job for 3 months now.
Please wait before you invest money into this profession. Wages are going way down as well!!!

Wait! There's a demand for CDA's now.

A hygienist is not a CDA. Sorry, not the same kind of
animal.

North Van CDA in North Vancouver, British Columbia said: A hygienist is not a CDA. Sorry, not the same kind of
animal.

No we're not trained to assist, usually not trained to do many assistant procedures (rubber dam, prepping temp fillings), and we're not familiar with all the restorative materials and instruments. But, we have the scope to do all of these things with an RDH licence. An RDH could take a DA job and learn it on the fly with some effort. That would also mean starting at the typical starting DA wage of well under $20/hr, though. Some Hygienists would do well to learn a better appreciation of how hard assistants work.

A CDA,...
They work really hard, and a lot of hygienists do not appreciate them. Having been a CDA for many years before becoming a hyienist, I really super appreciate a CDA when I am fortunte enough to work with one in the office. Even though her primary "duty" is to the DDS, when she has time to process my instruments, she will do so. When I am idle, I too help her out and process her instruments for her. In the end we all get out of the office on time. No one is left with a stack of "dirty dishes" to do. I must remember that a CDA can make or break my day, we must learn to appreciate them. And by the way, they all get a Christmas starbucks coffee card just as a token of my appreciation..

I agree with the fact a CDA or an EFDA earns every penny of their pay and I always offer to help them with instruments or set up a room.
I have found out though that I often experience quite a few assts who assume because we are hygienists we just "know" their job too. I had one ask me how come after all the years I've been a hygienist I didn't know restorative and my answer to her was that I was lucky I guess. They seem surprised that some of us DON'T want to know. Leave that side of the office to the ones who are trained. If we knew how to assist and do restorative we would be expected to work in an mod or crown prep in that 30 min prophy appt! Or just "hop" on over to the dr's chair and you know, help him out.

Steph in West Lorne, Ontario said: I seriously think lashing out on a forum sort of demonstrates your own lack of professionalism. Everyone has bad days. In school, everyone misses calculus at some point. You're going to make mistakes in school and your professors are going to hound you because that's their job. Are they hard on you? Yes. Rightly so. It's important to keep up the high standards and integrity of the program. Could they critisize you in a more appropriate way sometimes? Sure. But just like you, they to sometimes have bad days.

EVERY school is hard on you. ALL professors are hard on you in different ways. When you're out in the real world, you'll be thankful. When you can hear those professors over your shoulders saying, "you're on point", "roll", "does this client need premed", "when was their last physical?", "you need more lateral pressure", "are you going to the EA?", "did you sharpen your instrument?"

I went to a public, accredited school. I was the youngest in my program--the only one to get in straight out of high school. Did I cry? YES! Did I have bad days? YES. But the teachers who were hardest on me and pushed me the most are the ones I remember today in my practise. You WILL NOT make the mistaktes that they corrected you on. You will remember all the words of wisdom that THOSE professors told.

Have you heard of "hazing"...it happens, and in many cases is not necessary...many good R.D.H.'s have to roll with this for the two+ yrs....and IT IS NOT NEEDED AND IT IS NASTY ON THE INSTRUCTORS PART. Yes, we need to know what we are doing, and if you are in any accredited D.H. program and are dedicated and self check...the rude behavior, hazing, is CHILDISH....

exp in Epping, New Hampshire said: Have you heard of "hazing"...it happens, and in many cases is not necessary...many good R.D.H.'s have to roll with this for the two+ yrs....and IT IS NOT NEEDED AND IT IS NASTY ON THE INSTRUCTORS PART. Yes, we need to know what we are doing, and if you are in any accredited D.H. program and are dedicated and self check...the rude behavior, hazing, is CHILDISH....

Thats an interesting statement you made exp.... One I maybe awre of.

Can instructors get away with this? Does the school hold them accountable to teach? It seems that at times that more energy is given to cause stress than to teach. What can be done about instructors that just want to cause stress?

LQQKING in Fort Worth, Texas said: Thats an interesting statement you made exp.... One I maybe awre of.

Can instructors get away with this? Does the school hold them accountable to teach? It seems that at times that more energy is given to cause stress than to teach. What can be done about instructors that just want to cause stress?

exp is there a way I can email you? I would like to share what I have been dealing with.

LQQKING in Fort Worth, Texas said: Thats an interesting statement you made exp.... One I maybe awre of.

Can instructors get away with this? Does the school hold them accountable to teach? It seems that at times that more energy is given to cause stress than to teach. What can be done about instructors that just want to cause stress?

Probably not much we can do about this and the current situation in D.H....as we both know it NOW....IF we want to get through ANY program...we just have to deal with it, UNFORTUNATELY...and do our best to deal with nasty instructors (hazers), and the Dr.'s in the "real world"...I prefer to just stay on this site as to talking about work , pressure, oversat., etc....but, if you can pose(sp) any questions to me, I'll do my best to talk with you about situations...it really,....(insert word(s) that apply to your situation). Hope to hear from you online! Think positive, and use your telemarketing skills to your best!....Exp

evendently they do get away with it; job titles may change, but they still teach...not enough people complain as they want to get on with it and never look back, or and the most probable answer is the provost or president of the college simply does not have anyone to replace that BS level instructor. I think NO ONe should teach college unless they have a Masters degree.... No one should be hazed, threatened, or graded more severely than others due to teacher whim.... so what can be done. NOt much. Just make sure everyone knows your experience.....

nan yen in Fairfax, Virginia said: evendently they do get away with it; job titles may change, but they still teach...not enough people complain as they want to get on with it and never look back, or and the most probable answer is the provost or president of the college simply does not have anyone to replace that BS level instructor. I think NO ONe should teach college unless they have a Masters degree.... No one should be hazed, threatened, or graded more severely than others due to teacher whim.... so what can be done. NOt much. Just make sure everyone knows your experience.....

I really do not want to post my experience on here but this is pretty much what happened to me...I am still trying to get over it. It was the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my life.... I am depressed and I hardly even go out of the house any more.....and I owe it to one person especially who did not even have a bachelors degree...

I find it interesting that y'all posted about this...

Hi, I wonder if you could speak with whoever can "observe/deal with , speak with" this instructor as to their behavior and or "hazing" of students...I wouldn't recommend cotacting them with your name or from your phone, but rather from a phone not in your town....let them be aware "in general" of this instructors behavior, and what can and WILL be done so it does NOT happen now or in the future...reprimand? or maybe send in someone as a pt. to one of this instructors...clinic students....and see how she "behaves....." look , listen and /or report what they heard to the Dean? I don't know if it is possible...but try( anonyoumously?). I remember instructors like this...and it still gets to me....someone (higher ups) need to know...I let it slide...because I just wanted to get into the real world...see what can be done, but think of what may/may not happen, but let them know if you need to to have piece of mind. ....can still happen, so be careful...

hey, I am currently a Dental Hygiene student from a 2 year program in Ontario and I am planning on submitting my application to UBC next week for the bachelors of dental science program. I am graduating in June 2010. I know that the minimum average is 70% to apply but does anyone know what the average % would be to actually get into the program? I know it varies depending on each year and how many students apply etc but does anyone know if a grade average of 80% is high enough for acceptance into the BDSC program? Thanks, any help would be appreciated!

I am totally stressing about getting into a program for dental hygiene! I have looked at every school and their requirements! I have a 3.6 and am going to apply in Western WA for a program....I am terrified that I will get rejected over and over..surely there is a system that if you don't make it the first year they see your name the next. Does anyone know a school in WA that takes most or at least half of their applicants..I have volunteer hours but what hurts me is that I'm not a DA....PLEASE SOMEONE HELP OR SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE!

hello,
have you not been reading the posts from all over N. america.
once you graduate you will be unemployed.
the field is over saturated!!!!!!!!!!

do your research. look at the want ads do you see any jobs????
call the temp agencies. see if there are any jobs that week. NOT!
all you will do is further saturate the field and bring down the salaries!!!! or just be unemployed..

April in Olympia, Washington said: HAHAHAHAHHAHA OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE UNEMPLOYED DORK!!!!LOOOSSEERRRR!!!! YOU CAN'T TALK TO PEOPLE THIS WAY SO GO GET A JOB!!!LIKE I SAID THESE PEOPLE ARE ALL IN CANADAAAAAAAAAA

Since when is Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, New Hampshire, Illinois & Indiana in Canada? You better do your research & at least learn about your own country before applying for hygiene. You may also watch how you talk to people. Some may not think your are professional enough to go into hygiene.

Did you really use "retard" as an insult? What are you five years old? Grow up. I don't think you should become a hygienist, you'll just make us all look bad.

April in Olympia, Washington said: ACTUALLY HAVE YOU LOOKED AT WHERE THEY ARE FROM? THERE BEGGING FOR DH HERE SO MAYBE YOU SHOULD DO YOUR RESEARCH....THE PEOPLE ON HERE ARE FROM CANADA....THERE ARE JOBS HERE RETARD!!! AND THEY START AT 50 DOLLARS AN HOUR!!! SO I SEE YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVEN'T DONE YOUR RESEARCH...HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT OR THE AREA........LET ME REPHRASE...ANYONE IN THE WA ARE PLEASE REPLY TO MY POST .......DUDE MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET THE WANT ADS OUT AGAIN FOR MY AREA BEFORE YOU GO POST STUFF.....GOOD DAY

They may be begging for DH in you area now but you need to be realistic and consider what the market will be like when you graduate (if you gain acceptance). There are countless unemployed hygienists in other states and yes, in canada that are going to move to areas that need hygienists so how long until WA is saturated as well? GL

good luck to all in WA.
FYI
watch out for temp companies who ships DH to your state and are hired for less than the going rate.

no need to be curt.

don't be curt.
all I am saying is do your research.
careers go in cycles.
have a back up.
take note of the states that are saturated and consider the ramifications that it may occur in your state.

really, no one here (not me) is after a verbal(written altercation) over a comment in email. No need to be a bully.

Frankly, I am shocked at many of the rude comments on this site
you never know who is reading this. do your research. read. ask questions. consider advice, alternatives, and places where employment is still good...also consider the places where employment is poor.
what is with all the rude attitudes?????

I recently graduated from a dental hygiene program, and I regret my career choice. You have the GPA to get into a program, so don't worry about that. If you can't get into a school in Washington state, I would try to apply to a program in another state. Do your research very carefully and decide whether or not this is a career you truly want. The job market is tough for hygienists all over the US, not just Canada, due to over saturation. I know a girl I went to school with who works full-time in WA, so maybe the market is a little better up there. You have to remember that more than half of all hygienist only work part-time. Again, I'm warning you, DO THE RESEARCH! YOU DON'T WANT TO BE UNEMPLOYED!

HI LOOKING FOR PAST AND PRESENT GRADS FROM CANADIAN BUSINESS COLLEGE IN TORONTO FOR DENTAL HYG ANY PROBLEMS WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THEM. THANKS MA

anonymous in Calgary, Alberta said: Since when is Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, New Hampshire, Illinois & Indiana in Canada? You better do your research & at least learn about your own country before applying for hygiene. You may also watch how you talk to people. Some may not think your are professional enough to go into hygiene.

WE in the states are stating what is happening in our area, but also, listen to those going through the oversaturation of the D.H. field in Canada....Who are you to tell anyone who offers their experience in the field, it appears that MANY from Canada have many of the same issues...We are all professionals, offering what we know and have and are experiencing in our field NOW. And what is you status as to work? If you know of areas that are offering good employment, etc...offer it. But, also allow others to offer info. too.

Ma JO in Grimsby, Ontario said: HI LOOKING FOR PAST AND PRESENT GRADS FROM CANADIAN BUSINESS COLLEGE IN TORONTO FOR DENTAL HYG ANY PROBLEMS WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THEM. THANKS MA

Before going to school for dental hygiene, you might be better served by going back through this forum and looking at the comments about what is happening in the dental hygiene profession, particularly in Ontario. Very few jobs, particularly in Toronto, and salaries are dropping. Take a look in the help wanted section of the newspaper in the area you want to work in and get an idea of the job market. Call dental temp agencies and find out from them what the job market is like in your area.

exp in Epping, New Hampshire said: WE in the states are stating what is happening in our area, but also, listen to those going through the oversaturation of the D.H. field in Canada....Who are you to tell anyone who offers their experience in the field, it appears that MANY from Canada have many of the same issues...We are all professionals, offering what we know and have and are experiencing in our field NOW. And what is you status as to work? If you know of areas that are offering good employment, etc...offer it. But, also allow others to offer info. too.

If you read the post I was commenting about you would realize that I was stating that people in the States were commenting on the oversaturation & difficulty of finding jobs. April from Olympia Washington seems to think that this is only a Canadian problem. She is the one calling people unemployed dorks, retards & losers. Refer to her post from 2 days ago. That is who I am since you asked. I am working fulltime, looking at opening my own clinic, wondering why no RDH bought the private cllinic in Red Deer, very disappointed to find out it was dentists who bought it & wondering why there is still a rdh job posted for cold lake for the past 6 months. That is my work status.

HI,
Are you saying RDH in Canada can operate their own hygiene clinic??
nan

Yes we have started opening our own hygiene clinics in Canada, they have passed the law saying we can "self-initiate" without a dentist present. From my small hometown there are already 2 hygiene clinics that have opened.

anonymous in Calgary, Alberta said: If you read the post I was commenting about you would realize that I was stating that people in the States were commenting on the oversaturation & difficulty of finding jobs. April from Olympia Washington seems to think that this is only a Canadian problem. She is the one calling people unemployed dorks, retards & losers. Refer to her post from 2 days ago. That is who I am since you asked. I am working fulltime, looking at opening my own clinic, wondering why no RDH bought the private cllinic in Red Deer, very disappointed to find out it was dentists who bought it & wondering why there is still a rdh job posted for cold lake for the past 6 months. That is my work status.

I don't think she is an R.D.H....more of an instigator. USA and Canada are BOTH going through difficult times...and the students keep applying??? I don't know where they will fing jobs...2 D.H.'s have said there are opportunities in TX and WA, but I feel they are looking at positions other than in "practice". They also, at this point in time have employment, but...we know that can change with the abundance of new, old, and soon to be grad's...I personally don't think they are doing the research and/or are reading what is happening to our profession, pay and ben's (ha!, this is not what many receive...esp. in this economy...but also due to the oversaturation that CONTINUES....in the D.H. field....GL to anyone in our field, wherever you are from...US or Canada...

For those of you considering opening up your own practice, I just read an article in one of the publications we get with our license (from the CDHO). It talked about how in one year of opening up a clinic you don't make any money and most often lose money. My friend is a dentist and he knows of a hygienist who started her own practice. She sees between 2-4 clients per day, rarely is there any continuity of care, meaning that she doesn't always see the clients again, and she said that she barely takes a salary. I think that these clinics may work for some people who don't need the money but enjoy providing the service. Don't get me wrong, I am sure that the "spa" like places that are not owned by the hygienist, do well. I am just talking about a small office owned and operated by 1 hygienist.

I guess I am looking for some advice from all the hygiene vets out there. I recently graduated from hygiene school in June. After many months of searching I finally found a part time hygiene job and started this past Monday. However, I am seeing many red flags (for example every patient I have seen has made some comment about how everytime they get their teeth cleaned it is by a differnt hygienist!) I guess I am just wondering if what I am going through with this job is normal out in the "real world" as far as hygiene jobs go. For example, I get 30 mins for a new patient. And the dentist expects me to in this 30 mins take x-rays, perio chart, clean their teeth (and many of these patients have not been to the dentist in years so its not an easy clean). He gets upset when I ask if I can bring the patient back to finish their cleaning. Also, he expects me to do an exam myself and note all the teeth that need fillings in this time as well. Which I try to do. I let him know which teeth I got a stick on and I suspect caries, and which fillings I feel look like they might need to be replaced. However, if he catches something I missed he yells at me IN FRONT OF THE PATIENT wondering why I didn't catch it and why I can't read an x-ray right. He basically wants me to tell him everything that the patient needs, and be able to sit down for his exam and just check the areas that I wrote down and not have to look at anything else. The thing is I need this job BADLY (I have student loans coming in this month that need to be paid as well as a child that needs fed!) and I know there aren't many jobs out there in my area. I just want to know if this type of behavior is typical in offices or it is just this one. Am wondering what I got myself into with this career field!

Many dentists depend too much on hygienists to do all the diagnosing, and will judge a hygienist skills based on diagnosing. This is a disservice to the patient who actually pays for an exam from the dentist. Yet, they scream blue murder about how indpendents cannot diagnose. The public needs to be educated about this.

To: Stephanie in Eaton, Ohio"]

There is no way you can do all those assessments (accurately) and remove all calculus and plaque in 30 min. That's ridiculous. Also it's incredibly unprofessional on his part to belittle you in front of the patient. No wonder patients always have a different hygienist, they don't stay long enough because of the working conditions. This is not normal! That being said, you need the job, so try to stick it out and gain some experience to put on your resume and keep looking for an office that will treat you with the respect you deserve as a professional.

Stephanie,
Your posting explained why your clients are saying that they get a different hygienist each time. Hygienists are not putting up with your dentist's abuse and abnormally excessive demands. It is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to do new patient exam, x-rays, perio charting, and a complete full mouth scaling in 30 minutes! What's wrong with your employer that he doesn't know this? None of his patients are getting a thorough cleaning this way, and this obviously is not important to him. I work for 2 dentists. I get 1 hour for a complete appointment (I only do BW's, the assistant does the full mouth series of x-rays) and the dentist does the new patient exam in a separate appointment and then I get the client for the initial cleaning and can request that the client come back if he/she needs to in order to finish the cleaning. In my other office I get 45 minutes for everything, but again, the dentist does the new patient exam. I understand why you need to work for him. I would just work until you get enough experience to move on. You should confidentally look for another job while keeping this one and when you get your next job, tell your current employer how unprofessional, inappropriate and wrong it is to belittle and embarrass you infront of your client. Just don't tell him who your next employer is. Your employer is very mean!

Stephanie in Eaton, Ohio said: I guess I am looking for some advice from all the hygiene vets out there. I recently graduated from hygiene school in June. After many months of searching I finally found a part time hygiene job and started this past Monday. However, I am seeing many red flags (for example every patient I have seen has made some comment about how everytime they get their teeth cleaned it is by a differnt hygienist!) I guess I am just wondering if what I am going through with this job is normal out in the "real world" as far as hygiene jobs go. For example, I get 30 mins for a new patient. And the dentist expects me to in this 30 mins take x-rays, perio chart, clean their teeth (and many of these patients have not been to the dentist in years so its not an easy clean). He gets upset when I ask if I can bring the patient back to finish their cleaning. Also, he expects me to do an exam myself and note all the teeth that need fillings in this time as well. Which I try to do. I let him know which teeth I got a stick on and I suspect caries, and which fillings I feel look like they might need to be replaced. However, if he catches something I missed he yells at me IN FRONT OF THE PATIENT wondering why I didn't catch it and why I can't read an x-ray right. He basically wants me to tell him everything that the patient needs, and be able to sit down for his exam and just check the areas that I wrote down and not have to look at anything else. The thing is I need this job BADLY (I have student loans coming in this month that need to be paid as well as a child that needs fed!) and I know there aren't many jobs out there in my area. I just want to know if this type of behavior is typical in offices or it is just this one. Am wondering what I got myself into with this career field!

Further to my post below, I get 30 minutes for a child.

dental hygienist in Thornhill, Ontario said: For those of you considering opening up your own practice, I just read an article in one of the publications we get with our license (from the CDHO). It talked about how in one year of opening up a clinic you don't make any money and most often lose money. My friend is a dentist and he knows of a hygienist who started her own practice. She sees between 2-4 clients per day, rarely is there any continuity of care, meaning that she doesn't always see the clients again, and she said that she barely takes a salary. I think that these clinics may work for some people who don't need the money but enjoy providing the service. Don't get me wrong, I am sure that the "spa" like places that are not owned by the hygienist, do well. I am just talking about a small office owned and operated by 1 hygienist.

Most small businesses in the 1st year do not make a profit. There is a growing period. You need about 700-900 patients to really start making a profit & this takes couple years. You do need to start somewhere though. As for continuity of care, that is more likely her issue & the way she books. She may have more reliable days if she booked recall appts the day the pt is in. She also needs to network & get her face out there. 4 pts a day is pretty good for a hygienist b/c you do need to take into consideration admin time. Dentists don't start making a profit out of a brand new practice either in their 1st yr either.

Smile is correct. We recently set up a new dental practice, and it did not return any income for the doctor in the first year. It also did not return any 'profit,' which comes after the doctor's wage is paid and justifies the money invested (otherwise there is no need to be in business). We were lucky to make enough to pay me roughly the amount a hygienist would get paid for the hygiene I did. Ours is what is considered wildly successful, also - took in 1000 new patients in the first year.

Looking at the business model of hygiene in ON and AB, I think there is a very viable business prospect there. Because it is a private business, some will understand it, plan and market well. They will succeed. Others who think you can just throw out a shingle and expect to make a go of it will fail miserably. Some will have good luck, others bad luck, also. In business, there is always gambling, there is always risk. Fortunately the failure rate of dental practices is like 1/10 of 1%, so the risk is only that we won't make a killing and merely get by OK - hopefully we will make a killing.

A hygiene practice should ideally consist of 3 or more ops, with several hygienists working for the owning hygienist (or dentist), plus a receptionist. Since the income margins are generally thin for hygiene (especially in BC), the business will need to pool resources and maximize production to boost the income of the owner. A practice consisting of one hygienist will have a much harder time of it, but it may be where you need to start to build up a patient base. FWIW, in our new practice, we booked 6 full days of hygiene from day one (when we had zero patients to start), now we're at 8 days of hygiene, and soon to go to ten or 12. I would guess a hygiene practice booking 12 days of hygiene at 8 patients/day could net $125K income for the owning hygienist in Ontario, which is about $40k profit to justify $200k startup costs for a 2op practice.

Stephanie in Eaton, Ohio said: I guess I am looking for some advice from all the hygiene vets out there. I recently graduated from hygiene school in June. After many months of searching I finally found a part time hygiene job and started this past Monday. However, I am seeing many red flags (for example every patient I have seen has made some comment about how everytime they get their teeth cleaned it is by a differnt hygienist!) I guess I am just wondering if what I am going through with this job is normal out in the "real world" as far as hygiene jobs go. For example, I get 30 mins for a new patient. And the dentist expects me to in this 30 mins take x-rays, perio chart, clean their teeth (and many of these patients have n ..... Am wondering what I got myself into with this career field!

If what you say is true, that dentist is a malpracticing idiot. He sucks in an enourmously offensive way that is rare among dentists!

Part of the problem is how hygiene 'prophies' are billed in the US, though. I think our very different billing system is Canada is far more equitable and ethical - there is no motivation to rush a cleaning, because we simply bill for as long as it takes. There also is hardly any pressure to 'sell S/RP' here either: we simply bill as long as it takes to do the right amount of perio, insurance participation is very good and patient compliance is high.

FWIW, we book 1.5 - 2 hours with the hygienist for every new patient. It is just enough time for most, but not enough for some. If it takes longer, we bill more - easy peasy. We are also extremely thorough, though - patients deserve the best care we can give, and it turns out they really appreciate this.

Stephanie, (sorry if i spelled your name wrong)
I am glad you wrote this. these comments are true. no one wants to say this cause it would be forever attached to their name on the web!!!!!.
but there is more. watchout for x ray mistakes, appointment errors, charting errors. Hygienists take the blame and they happen. there is no need to argue with the dds, even if you did not identify the treatment, develop the x ray, or make the appt. It is all about making sure no one made a mistake after you saw the patient that is the key. When these things happen, it is time to move on... no one else will say, "OH I did that" Just move on..... And yes to all the other stuff. it is hard to find a great office. when you have one it is like being home with family you can count on, and people you really like who understand the concept of team. I have that office full time....it is hard to find jobs.... I can't speak for others, but I went through a horrible experience like yours many years ago and moved on (and learned from that).. so sorry you are having this stress....and yes, when you are late, it is always your fault, even if you are waiting for an exam which is what makes you late. good mature offices are hard to find; there are so many DDS out there who are new, and do their own hygiene cause they can't fill their schedules... things the schools never tell you about this great saturated stressful field.

nojobs in Mississauga, Ontario said: Many dentists depend too much on hygienists to do all the diagnosing, and will judge a hygienist skills based on diagnosing. This is a disservice to the patient who actually pays for an exam from the dentist. Yet, they scream blue murder about how indpendents cannot diagnose. The public needs to be educated about this.

We as R.D.H.'s are not allowed to diagnose...and this Dr. is a ....(insert your own ...). I feel in a perfect office (not many...and THIS would make sense): 1st visit should be with the Dr. and his D.A. to chart all:fillings, caries, perio, tissue, etc....THEN at the 2nd appt.: noted CLEARLY in notes to the R.D.H. of what is needed hygiene wise, and to go over OHI . This , I feel would make the office and appts EFFICIENT...but, again, this would be ideal and make sense and there would not be problems, communication within the office....MHO. Reality can ..... it's the way it is and unfortunately not heard. I'm not trying NOT to do my job...I'm thinking about efficiency, and Cost and team work of all in the office...I think it makes sense. And timewise, great!

exp - In the US, you are correct: the hygienist is not involved in diagnosis/prescription and it is backwards to have them do a cleaning on a new patient before a doc examines and diagnoses and prescription for them. nojobs and I are in Canada, and some provinces have legally mandated hygienists to do some diagnosis - for perio and a few other limited things. This was done to enable independent hygiene practice, but it also makes things more efficient in dental practices: now it makes sense to have the new patient seen by a hygienist first - they do the data gathering and the perio diagnosis, and start perio treatment (or postpone treatment for referral or consult with the doc), then the doc comes in and does a full exam and diagnosis of everything else. As hygienists in Canada, we are trained to do this kind of diagnosis, (though the quality of this education is in decline in Ontario, due to private schools).

Hello,

I know about twenty hygienst, who cannot find work. If you are looking to go into this field, please re-consider. Also, we should all get together and make a change. Hygiene should be changed to a 4 year degree program. This will help reduce the number of hygienst going into this field.

Milo in Burnaby, British Columbia said: Hello,

I know about twenty hygienst, who cannot find work. If you are looking to go into this field, please re-consider. Also, we should all get together and make a change. Hygiene should be changed to a 4 year degree program. This will help reduce the number of hygienst going into this field.

This would be great...but, I don't know if those unemplyoed would be willing to say who and where they are....the USA is going through a similar situation in many states, unfortunately....GL to all in finding gainful, set days/hours and and employer that is decent to the R.D.H.'s*

exp in Epping, New Hampshire said: This would be great...but, I don't know if those unemplyoed would be willing to say who and where they are....the USA is going through a similar situation in many states, unfortunately....GL to all in finding gainful, set days/hours and and employer that is decent to the R.D.H.'s*

sure,
how can we tell the ADA that RDH field is saturated?? Stop all the schools from further killing our salaries and producing massive unemployment in the field.
how can we tell the news media that DH field is the top ten for unemployed, it is not the best choice???
I would love to get some publicity. And address the other issues.
Yes it should be a 4 year degree.
nan

Milo in Burnaby, British Columbia said: Hello,

I know about twenty hygienst, who cannot find work. If you are looking to go into this field, please re-consider. Also, we should all get together and make a change. Hygiene should be changed to a 4 year degree program. This will help reduce the number of hygienst going into this field.

I don't think this makes a difference. Where I live now it is a 4 yr degree. The hyg from this area have BAs and there still is no work. There needs to be better health care that includes dental. There are alot of jobs that offer medical but no dental.

nan yen in Fairfax, Virginia said: sure,
how can we tell the ADA that RDH field is saturated?? Stop all the schools from further killing our salaries and producing massive unemployment in the field.
how can we tell the news media that DH field is the top ten for unemployed, it is not the best choice???
I would love to get some publicity. And address the other issues.
Yes it should be a 4 year degree.
nan

Hi, We are caught "inbetween" and if not careful in any approach could be black listed....if there is a way that anyone would like to suggest as to approaching the media and ADHA, Canada DHA, then let us know. We need to think about the possibility that if we name ourselves that our careers now and future might not exist at all. It's hard when you are working against a large system with no one or association to back us up. Any suggestions, or any progress by R.D.H.'s in the present situation?

Hey Epping in NH,
I agree with everything you said.
now what?

we all definitely know that your are not a DH, this is more like comment from a Dentist who doesn't want Hygiene profession to grow.

Hello all; I am New to the forum..
Haven't really gone thru all the pages..just want a quick answer from anyone..As I do want to go into hygiene, but people say there is no point..its a waste of time as there are no jobs..is it possible that soon enough there will be requirements of dental assistants or dental hygienists? I graduated highschool last year; am starting college now; would it be smart for me to take a 10 month dental assistant program now and than become a dental hygienist after? please help. thank you

to the hs grad:
keep reading the posts.
quick answer, don't bother with DH. expensive schools, stress, then no jobs.
be a nurse, x ray tech, better yet, look at the job wanted ads. see what is needed, where the jobs are, what you would like to do. this field is saturated with dh.
good luck in your career choice.
nan

Taylor in Surrey, British Columbia said: Hello all; I am New to the forum..
Haven't really gone thru all the pages..just want a quick answer from anyone..As I do want to go into hygiene, but people say there is no point..its a waste of time as there are no jobs..is it possible that soon enough there will be requirements of dental assistants or dental hygienists? I graduated highschool last year; am starting college now; would it be smart for me to take a 10 month dental assistant program now and than become a dental hygienist after? please help. thank you

I recommend you go directly to hygiene!