Male Hygienists?

MRDH said: Rapport can only get you so far. Everyone gets finicky in this economy, even the DDS. Ever hear of "the grass is greener on the other side" ?? Demand what you're worth, but don't get greedy. I'm glad Happy is happy, but take exp's caution too.....money makes people funny. I say ride out the recession, then see if DH is truely in a backward swing. This economy is making craziness! I have a job interview tomorrow....I'm crosing my fingers and hoping this office is compatible and if so, part-time or full-time this may break the "funk" and I may be back to my original annual pay while keeping all the other aspects I like (my students, med...).

Good luck on your interview. I thought you had some set Hygiene days....? "My students, med...?" Are you an instructor, D.H., and /or other.....? In what state are you seeking employment? I'm in the N.E., tough and crowded here! I feel I "telemarket" myself daily.....phone, calls, bus. cards, FAX's, and in person...
What advice do you have for guys and girls in this field where you are? GL

I'm in the NJ metro area. I can go to NYC too but I'd just get hit with an extra 4% out of state income tax and more tax paperwork....I'll take the cut and stay in NJ (unless an office in NY offers significantly more or is much more attractive but none so far). I do have set days which my weds are a (12 hr - 2 for lunch) full day at a general practice. As adjunct for DH I cover mondays and thrs clinics and I keep the weekends with 911. That leaves me free for a tues, fridays (but I can shift my teaching around next semester). I prefer that anyways, i get my errands done in a fraction of the time on weekdays instead of trying to beat crowds on weekends. Eventually I'll get my schedule to where I want it....like playing tetris with my jobs and life....keep shifting until it all fits together. It will eventually.

I think my interview went very well. I can't comment more about details in respect to the interviewer and their policies. All I can say is it sounds like they are a progressive office and the office manager seemed to like me. The bene's - good....that's all I can say. *crossing fingers*

My advice: get slightly off white quality resume paper, don't use the old time honored boring format (nothing too wild either) top ledger, side format etc..., think what would set your resume apart from the millions of others.....my resume looked and felt quality. Obviously, nicely iron shirt, tie and pants. I also bought copies of recommendations and the such to show I was prepared and ready to go. Did not figit or shake, looked her in the eyes when spoken to and speaking to, no slang or "like...like". As far as job searching, I listed myself on many different sites like careerbuilder and such (expect some telemarketers with job ops for insurance sales)and newspaper searches. Just be patient - take what you can that's decent to keep you going and once you find an office - move on. These may not be pearls of wisdom, but it is what it is. Patience is a virtue....

G-Girl in Macomb, Michigan said: MRDH,

How did you graduate? English was not required? My God, your spelling mistakes lead me to believe you must have learned to speak English via watching television.

Like... like? How about spell, spell.

Puerto Rican? Just a guess.

Chinese? Maybe.

C'mon, spell check is on every word processing program!

Yes, me learned from watching TV.

I realize I made a few typos since i usually check my email before bedtime....sometimes I'm too tired to double check it but figure it out jackass. Where did you attend? I sense a little prejudice.......... hmmmmm................others have made typos here and there too so track them down and get busy.....otherwise, other people are trying to have a discussion about adult matters.

Hi there! I just found this forum for dental hygienists and I am not sure how to post a new thread, but I have a question. Is the dentist I work for able to reduce my hourly rate of $42.00 to 1/2 pay when I have a cancellation or failed appointment? The doctor has started reducing my hourly pay to $21.00 for each of those situations and I did not know if it was legal? Help!

Brwneyesaz in Chandler, Arizona said: Hi there! I just found this forum for dental hygienists and I am not sure how to post a new thread, but I have a question. Is the dentist I work for able to reduce my hourly rate of $42.00 to 1/2 pay when I have a cancellation or failed appointment? The doctor has started reducing my hourly pay to $21.00 for each of those situations and I did not know if it was legal? Help!

I've been asked to leave the site if a pt didn't show or no pay for that hour. Half pay is better than none. Don't know if it's legal but that usually doesn't matter. They do what they want and we have no where to take up the issue. You can consult a lawyer, but it will probably cost you more than you are losing. Good luck and keep looking for another office. :)

G-Girl in Macomb, Michigan said: MRDH,

How did you graduate? English was not required? My God, your spelling mistakes lead me to believe you must have learned to speak English via watching television.

Like... like? How about spell, spell.

Puerto Rican? Just a guess.

Chinese? Maybe.

C'mon, spell check is on every word processing program!

What's with the racial comments? C'mon you're rude and about 50 years behind the times.

I am presently working fulltime as RDH. I recently graduated 2008 with Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide certified. I am planning to move to Nevada in the future. Can you guide me in what must I do to get the Nevada state exam? I don't know what to do first, the website is so confusing. It said you must submit so many things before you are able to take the exam. It must pass the board first. I think they check your background. Please help me!!!!

meg in Muskegon, Michigan said: I am presently working fulltime as RDH. I recently graduated 2008 with Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide certified. I am planning to move to Nevada in the future. Can you guide me in what must I do to get the Nevada state exam? I don't know what to do first, the website is so confusing. It said you must submit so many things before you are able to take the exam. It must pass the board first. I think they check your background. Please help me!!!!

The paperwork that you do understand, fill that out now and make copies. Do one item at a time, if you have "?'s" on some, write them down and then try to contact someone at the Dent. Board in that state, an actual person, to ask those ?'s. Label each, copy each...sequence/organize what you can...it's a start. GL

its the same as being a male nurse, if you want people to think you are gay then go ahead bro. I quit after the dentist kept hitting on me

no its no the same as being a male nurse. and not all dentist are male. its ok if a woman dentist try no hit me. once you go chad you will never go back

The dean at my school told me I wouldn't be able to find work as a male DH. He told me that our college has only had one male DH student since he's been dean. He recommended respiratory therapy. They only take 12 students yearly. I'm going to apply anyways.

Apply to DH or RT? I hope RT. I can't speak on being male, but there are a ton of female hygienists out of work so it may hove nothing to do with being male. Kudos to the dean who forewarned you. That's a rarity. I'd trust his opinion, he knows more than he's saying. Good luck.

I have been a male hygienist since 02; I have run into a lot of discrimination. Many male dentists would rather have women around and they think they can control them better than a man. They look at them as, "my girls". I have had patient tell the male dr that they feel more comfortable with a female hygienist. I have been accused of sexual harassment by a women who came in only looking for drugs and insisting I was a dr who could give her some vicodin for her pain, this was a welfare office and I presume this woman was a prostitute, she looked all beat up and run ragged. I had worked for a few dentist who were very happy to have a male on board only because they had a money making scheme going on and felt a male would be more convincing than a female when telling a patient they needed work they didn’t need, crown, RTC and on. Dentistry is a business and that is the bottom line. People go to the dentist thinking they would not be taken advantage of but guess again. I was stunned at what dentistry is all about. Don’t get me wrong, there are many good dentist out there, the problem is finding one to work for, most good ones retain there hygienist for several years, sometimes their whole career I have been out of work for 11 months now and I am sure being a male has really hurt my chances of getting anything not to mention I'm 52 years old. If I had it to do over again I would choose something else. I also believe female Drs like to hire women because they think woman have gotten a raw deal everywhere else, which would be true. John from MA Best of luck, maybe if you are young and good looking you will stand a much better chance than I have.

Steve in Middle Haddam, Connecticut said: Dental Hygienist is a profession where your wrist and back are constantly overstressed. Be finger skilled will help you to improve the basic techniques learned at school. After years in the practice the Hygienists tend to modified most of those basic techniques.
With the new advances in periodontal probing and scaling such as Florida probe and Ultrasound based scalers, the amount of stress has been reduced. The used of loupes and microscopes enhanced the back posture.
Ergonomics habits are fundamental to achieved a better performance at work and have a long career life.

Let me know if you are interesting in pursue career in Dental Hygiene. I will be more than happy to help you.
Steve

I'm a Current Senior in an IB school, and I was wondering what should I take (exactly) for college to get a jump on becoming a DH.. Your feed back will be greatly appreciated.

sheffeyjoshua@gmail.com

thanks

I am a RDH for more than a year, but I was not able to find a job. All MF dentists prefer to have a female rather than a male. I am so disappointed that I dont know what else to do to change this. I wish someone was out there and listens to me. If all dentists think of having a female hygienist, who will give me a job. Will I ever be able to find a job. This has become a big concern for me. I am sick and tired of hearing some new students have already found a job who has not received thier licenses yet. This is so wrong. WHY WHY WHY. PLEASE I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Ramin in LA: Keep plugging away and present yourself as a true professional. Get involved with the Cal DHA as a delegate and move into a higher position when you can. The more male hygienists exert themselves in the profession, the more we will gain in respect and jobs. It may not happen over night or even before we retire, but we may just pave the way for a more acceptible way of providing dental hygiene to the public, ie., less part time work, jobs with benefits, self-regulation, independent practice, practice act changes to allow DH to to diagnosis of caries and oral dx, freedom to use local anesthesia without supervision. These changes make DH a viable profession for all DH.

Ben RDH, in Baltimore, Maryland said: Exactly the opposite for me. Every Dentist i meet whants another male in the office to off set the catty behaviour in all female offices. I have been offered so many positions including Head hygienist in a large practice. I had only been out of school 2 months at the time.

However, i should mention that there are many other reasons i regret becoming a hygienist.

.... So what are some of the reasons you regret it? Before I even go into this field?

Jason in Burnaby, British Columbia said: I'm be honest, you have a good point, i was thinking about that, like combining dental and aesthetics into one business
believe it or not, in ontario canada, recent legislation has been passed to for hygienist to work by themselves, but it will be some time b4 people are willing to let hygienists to do the job when dentists seem to be the more trustworthy ones, at least in the eyes of the public

hello jason ,

i hope you are doing good ,please if you can help me to decide to go for a dental hygiene or not?i'm an internationally trained male dentist and i'm planning to take the dental hygiene degree ,what are my chances to find a job in ontario or any other provinces in canada ?
looking to hear form you many thanks.

Kristina Goad, RDH in Greensboro, North Carolina said: Steve,

"I came across this forum in a google search today. Even though you wrote what you did 2 years ago, what you are saying makes me sick and I cannot even believe that you have a job as a hygienist. I care about each and every one of my patients, and I certainly don't live in wonderland but I do give my patients the proper care and treatment that they deserve. This includes subgingival scaling. Without subgingival scaling the entire world would have periodontal disease and I cannot believe that someone with your training would even deny that! Also for someone with your training and expertise, you would at least think that you would use proper grammar and spelling. I could hardly understand what you were trying to say! I'm sure you didn't major in English, but I know in my DH program we had to write papers with proper grammar and spelling"

"There were 14 months you post your blog. Based on your comments you must been broken now.Tell me if it is not true. I am working as a dental hygienist here (BS RDH)and used to be a Dentists in former USSR.
I think you should seriously rethink you career choice. Hopefully you have already had.

moh in Ottawa, Ontario said: hello jason ,

i hope you are doing good ,please if you can help me to decide to go for a dental hygiene or not?i'm an internationally trained male dentist and i'm planning to take the dental hygiene degree ,what are my chances to find a job in ontario or any other provinces in canada ?
looking to hear form you many thanks.

Do not go to Dental hygiene. Go to nurse.

Up front with a resume, dentists might only see that its a male hygienist and not even consider hiring. Don't blame them if I was a dentist I would hire female hygienists. Female dentists seem more lenient to male rdh cause there is finally a male in the clinic and could boost morale. Found out that once you get a chance to temp or work one day you have to show what you got and not be a premadonna hygienist and things should be fine. But yes nursing is the way to go if you are deciding between the two as there are more openings as a nurse than hygienist.

I wouldnt want to be a male nurse as being a male hygienist is hard enough. If I went back I would become a denturist. At least with that I can be my own boss.

hey fella's

this is harry 25/m. all i can say about being a male dental hygienist is that it is extremely gender bias!! have completed my diploma from a premier dental school and have ranked in the top 5% of my class. still haven't received a single reply to any of the job applications. i live in eastern canada and it hurts sometimes to know that all the time and effort has amounted to nothing! gess i'l have to think of an alternate career choice if nothing works out!
i wonder what it is though? are girls better equipped in handling gum diseases than guys? or do the dentists need to have pretty faces around them all the time? it would be interesting to know if among all the female dental hygienist applicants..how many good looking girls are hired!
wierd but true.. peace out

harry in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland said: have u considered a sex change? LOL!

I recommend using dental agencies if you are in Los Angeles to get your face out there and show what you can do. As a male I feel for you cause your resume already has a male name and that locks us out of most male dentists.

Hygienists are similar to nurses in the amount of training they receive but I'm sorry, dentists are nowhere near the level of education or skills as an M.D. and they never will be. Dentists are like chiropractors or podiatrists and often have offices situated in strip malls (since we're "keeping it real"). If you're a dentist you should go back to a real school (not your state university) and become a real professional if you want respect. Don't fool yourselves, very few are in awe of your dental degree and you're not really a doctor. Dentists aren't doing heart or brain surgery, they're drilling a hole in a tooth and filling it. The hygienists you think so lowly of are trained to do this in Washington, they give anesthesia and nitrous oxide. Isn't dental school just a glorified technical school that's four years instead of 2? And if you're so smart did you go to an ivy or public ivy school? I bet many dentists graduated from the same state university as their hygienists. I have more respect for engineers with a 4 year degree than I do dentists. This forum proves what a joke most dentists are. Get over yourselves. I bet a lot of dentists hate what they do and they've got so much money invested in their education and practice they don't have any choice now, they're stuck as a lowly dentist! Don't take your frustrations out on your staff. Hygienists should go to grad school after they've had enough of this abuse and study something completely unrelated. Hygiene can be a convenient stepping stone. Many of the dentists in here have a mistaken sense of superiority and inflated ego. Their sexist and negative attitudes are laughable. Anyone can do dentistry but it takes real dedication and intelligence to achieve excellence in the profession. Many hygienists do their very best under unfavorable circumstances because the dentist is interested in high turnover instead of high standards.

disgusted in Wichita, Kansas said: Hygienists are similar to nurses in the amount of training they receive but I'm sorry, dentists are nowhere near the level of education or skills as an M.D. and they never will be. Dentists are like chiropractors or podiatrists and often have offices situated in strip malls (since we're "keeping it real"). If you're a dentist you should go back to a real school (not your state university) and become a real professional if you want respect. Don't fool yourselves, very few are in awe of your dental degree and you're not really a doctor. Dentists aren't doing heart or brain surgery, they're drilling a hole in a tooth and filling it. The hygienists you think so lowly of are trained to do this in Washington, they give anesthesia and nitrous oxide. Isn't dental school just a glorified technical school that's four years instead of 2? And if you're so smart did you go to an ivy or public ivy school? QUOTE]

LOL. I'm a nurse and if you think hygienists are ANYWHERE as competent as nurses, you're just kidding yourselves. You don't learn any physiology and only have a basic grasp of anatomy. We have to go through a 4 year college program to become a RN. Also, we don't do our training at private schools. I really don't like your attitude either. Dentists are DOCTORS. They are doctors of DENTAL SURGERY. Family physicians also have practices in strip malls. Are they not doctors too? I'm sure many do fillings, but what about root canals? Extractions? Oral surgeries? In the university i did my RN at, the dentists have to do 2 years of medical school on top of their dental courses. I have alot more respect for dentists than I have for hygienists. Maybe you're just jealous?

disgusted in Wichita, Kansas said: Hygienists are similar to nurses in the amount of training they receive but I'm sorry, dentists are nowhere near the level of education or skills as an M.D. and they never will be. Dentists are like chiropractors or podiatrists and often have offices situated in strip malls (since we're "keeping it real"). If you're a dentist you should go back to a real school (not your state university) and become a real professional if you want respect. Don't fool yourselves, very few are in awe of your dental degree and you're not really a doctor. Dentists aren't doing heart or brain surgery, they're drilling a hole in a tooth and filling it. The hygienists you think so lowly of are trained to do this in Washington, they give anesthesia and nitrous oxide. Isn't dental school just a glorified technical school that's four years instead of 2? And if you're so smart did you go to an ivy or public ivy school? I bet many dentists graduated from the same state university as their hygienists. I have more respect for engineers with a 4 year degree than I do dentists. This forum proves what a joke most dentists are. Get over yourselves. I bet a lot of dentists hate what they do and they've got so much money invested in their education and practice they don't have any choice now, they're stuck as a lowly dentist! QUOTE]
BY THE WAY, you need to train for 8 years, not 4. It's 4 years Bachelor of Science and 4 years dental school. SAME AS MEDICINE. just without the residency.

^ OMG - Jenny, AMANDA, djohnson, Alena, Sandra...who are you REALLY? Lot's of AKAs - don't get confused as to who and what you are - RN/DH/DDS..?

Just FYI - There are programs to become a RN at a community college in 2 years just like there is dental hygiene. You can also get a BS in dental hygiene. In order to complete my dental hygiene degree I had to do anatomy and physiology. You as a nurse may have a better grasp on overall body anatomy but I'm pretty sure I have a better grasp on oral health and oral anatomy than you do. I understand that our careers are not very comparable but that is a mistake that the general public makes, but there is no need to say that dental hygienists are not as respectable as nurses.

Yakimo@optonline.net in New Haven, Connecticut said: "

Actually I am still enjoying my career! Thanks for the concern though!

Okay, maybe I was a little brash. Sorry. I'm just really fed up with the whole "I'm better than you because of this" and "we're better than them because.." mumbo jumbo that IS the defining feature here. You spout off about how nurses are better than hygienists, it seems silly to me. Am I just really naive, is this really what everyone goes around thinking on a daily basis? I'm neither a hygienist nor a dentist, I have no desire to be based on what my girlfriend tells me. What I want to know is why people can't respect each other if they're half a notch higher or lower on the totem pole, what's the diff?
This winner loser mentality is insane. I'm in finance and it's less cut throat than what I hear about dentistry. Is this because it's more male dominated and therefore more respectful in people's sexist opinions? Why do people have such disdain for pink collars job. Why do women in pink collars jobs, like yourself, have disrespect for other pink collar jobs? Enlighten me.

Kristina - I'm assuming your reply is to Jenny.

I agree with you.

What she (whoever she really is) doesn't seem to realize is that we don't have a 2 year RN program in Canada anymore. We only have a one year LPN, or a 4 year BSN.

If you compare the old RN and our 2 yr. RDH program, they certainly are similar.

witchita - I think she's a fake. She's posted under several alias names, and is ALWAYS very pro DDS, as you can see if you read her post. I wouldn't be taking her too seriously if I were you.

Kristina in Greensboro, North Carolina said: Just FYI - There are programs to become a RN at a community college in 2 years just like there is dental hygiene. You can also get a BS in dental hygiene. In order to complete my dental hygiene degree I had to do anatomy and physiology. You as a nurse may have a better grasp on overall body anatomy but I'm pretty sure I have a better grasp on oral health and oral anatomy than you do. I understand that our careers are not very comparable but that is a mistake that the general public makes, but there is no need to say that dental hygienists are not as respectable as nurses.

Yea, i don't know what that was about. DH is a very rigorous curriculum! I'm glad you're still enjoying your work. It is great to hear some positive comments. This board has become WAY TOO NEGATIVE mostly as the result of a couple of posters. seriously, DH is as good as you make it to be. having a negative attitude never helps.

RDHmom in Medicine Hat, Alberta said: Yea, i don't know what that was about. DH is a very rigorous curriculum! I'm glad you're still enjoying your work. It is great to hear some positive comments. This board has become WAY TOO NEGATIVE mostly as the result of a couple of posters. seriously, DH is as good as you make it to be. having a negative attitude never helps.

More a REALISTIC view of what is happening in OUR field...If YOU have set/reg/work/days/decent employer...then you DON't understand what others are going through. What is YOUR employment situation, please tell us. It's not just a "couple" of us, if you read through the numerous threads on here there are students, recent grads and grads out 1...+ yrs. STATING THE JOB SITUATION FOR THEM. So what's your stat. as far as work? If you know of offices hiring...let us know! How can you speak to the current sit. if you are not experiencing, little to no work? What can you say to others exp...if it's not your sit?

I am currently try to make a decision wether to become a DH or RN? I am a 25year old male who is soon to make a huge life changing decision transfering from 10 yrs of active duty to full time student. any help and advices would be greatful. tahnks in advance.

oh by the way it would be 10yrs of active duty by the time im done. i have 2 yrs to go.

sergio in San Diego, California said: I am currently try to make a decision wether to become a DH or RN? I am a 25year old male who is soon to make a huge life changing decision transfering from 10 yrs of active duty to full time student. any help and advices would be greatful. tahnks in advance.

If you are male, you should probably become a RN. Hospitals love male RNs because they are strong enough to lift patients. Plus, you won't be surrounded by females all day, which may become annoying over time.

Rdhmom, Sandra, Alena, AMANDA..or whoever you are at the moment...reality does not equal negativity.

sergio in San Diego, California said: oh by the way it would be 10yrs of active duty by the time im done. i have 2 yrs to go.

You should go nursing, so you have the option to go back to the military as an officer. RDH are enlisted if you decide to go back. Also job opportunities are always available for nursing, as an RDH it may be hard to find one, especially if you have no experience.

if you think about it, RDH is the "nursing" equivalent of Dentistry. Nowadays, everyone is having a tough time. Trust me, being in both fields....nursing is in demand, but who's willing to pay for them? All hospitals are cutting back where the pt/RN ratio is not where it supposed to be. In Dentistry, some schedules slowed down so much where the DDS/DMD does the prophies and the RDH is laid off. Why is everyone fighting each other here? We all in the same boat (sort of). The next day you don't know if something will happen and you'll be out of work looking for a new office.

If people want to argue the "i'm better thsan you because i can" point...guess what...some RNs in some states cannot administer oxygen without a MD's order, but certified EMTs can as standing protocol. Hmmm...so that means EMTs are better than RN's? Nit pick all you want (not Kristina, but whoever views this) every job level has something over another. If anything, medical should be supporting the dental and vice versa because the body is all related. Guess what?! It's all connected...DUH! Colaboration...ever heard of it? I was never one to talk down "those under" me because guess what...everyone had to start somewhere. Don't forget where you came from. Again, not to one specific person....just to all to think about.

WOW...don't come crying when you have a tooth ache or someone knocks out your front tooth. Go through life looking like a goof ball. That's a sad way of looking at people. That's actually a sad way of going through life...insecure are we?

Do you guys know what percent of male professionals are in DENTAL HYGIENE ??

I would say around 5% max depending on area.

What is the difference between AAS degree and BS degree in DENATL HYGIENE???
Can anyone tell me how much difference can it make if u were to look for a job..

Lakpa in Charlotte, North Carolina said: What is the difference between AAS degree and BS degree in DENATL HYGIENE???
Can anyone tell me how much difference can it make if u were to look for a job..

The difference is if you want to be an instructor for dental hygiene with a BS, most instructor jobs require BS. Also if going for government RDH then you could negotiate a better salary with a BS. Otherwise its the same doing private practice and corporate. The resume may look better but not always because they don't want to pay higher, only the same rate. Hope this helps.

Lakpa in Charlotte, North Carolina said: What is the difference between AAS degree and BS degree in DENATL HYGIENE???
Can anyone tell me how much difference can it make if u were to look for a job..

Wont make a difference in clinical practice. You'll get paid the same. BS will allow you more options as in if you want to teach or dental sales etc. Or if you want to continue your education.

how long does it takes to get BS degree after having AAS degree

Do what you want to do, not what "society" tells you. If women didn't stop just doing "women's" jobs, we'd all still be at home scrubbing the floors for our husbands. If someone has a problem with what you do, it's only that, THEIR problem.

I have already posted my concerns on other dental hygiene related forums. But after reading some of the negative comments posted here by male dental hygienists, I feel that I'm headed in the wrong direction in terms of career path. I'm afraid that I will be discriminated against, not only because I'm a male, but because I'm of East Asian descent as well. I have applied to plenty of dental hygiene programs for this coming fall. I don't mind studying in a classroom that's 98% females. In fact I can work with females better as they're not cocky and arrogant as many men I've used to work with. I'm just afraid that if I can't find a job after graduating from dental hygiene school ( due to my gender and race), then how am I going to support my family, and pay off my student loans? Please, somebody give me some insight into what they think of my situation.