Transcript CH08_HEOC 104x

Chapter 8
Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Dental
Assistant
U.S. News – Best Jobs 2016
Out of 100 jobs:
• Orthodontist #1
• Dentist #2
• Prosthodontist #30
• Dental Hygienist #32
Work Description
• Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the
mouth, along with giving advice and administering care to help
prevent future problems.
• They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of
fluorides, and other aspects of dental care.
• They remove tooth decay, fill cavities, examine X-rays, place
protective plastic sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, and
repair fractured teeth.
• They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting
bones to treat gum diseases.
• Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for
dentures to replace missing teeth.
• They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for
antibiotics and other medications.
Work Environment
• Most dentists are solo practitioners, meaning that they own
their own businesses and work alone or with a small staff.
• Most dentists work 4 - 5 days a week. Some work evenings and
weekends to meet their patients’ needs.
• Most full-time dentists work between 35 and 40 hours a week.
Experienced dentists often work fewer hours.
• It is common for dentists to continue in part-time practice well
beyond the usual retirement age.
• Dentists usually work in the safety of an office environment.
However, work-related injuries can occur, such as those resulting
from the use of handheld tools when performing dental work on
patients.
Employment Opportunities
• Dentists held about 141,900 jobs in 2008.
• Most are general practice dentists
• Only about 15% of all dentists were
specialists – 9 areas: orthodontist, oral
surgeons, prosthodontist, endodontists, etc.
• Almost all dentists work in private practice.
Educational and Legal Requirements
• All 50 states and the District of Columbia
require dentists to be licensed.
• To qualify for a license in most states,
candidates must graduate from an
accredited dental school and pass written
and practical examinations
– 4 yr post bachelor degree dental “medical”
school
Education and Training
• In 2008, there were 57 dental schools in the
United States accredited by the ADA’s
Commission on Dental Accreditation.
• Most dental students have at least a Bachelor
degree before entering dental school.
• According to the ADA, 85% of dental students
had a Bachelor degree prior to beginning their
dental program in the 2006–2007 academic
year.
Licensure
• Licensing is required to practice as a
dentist.
• In most states, licensure requires passing
written and practical examinations in addition
to having a degree from an accredited dental
school.
Other Qualifications
• Dentistry requires diagnostic ability and manual
skills.
• Dentists should have:
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Good visual memory
Excellent judgment regarding space, shape, and color
A high degree of manual dexterity
Scientific ability
Good business sense
Self-discipline
Good communication skills
Advancement
• Many private practitioners teach part time.
• Some dental school graduates work for
established dentists as associates for 1 to 2
years to gain experience and save money to
equip an office of their own.
• Most dental school graduates, however,
purchase an established practice or open a new
one immediately after graduation.
Employment Opportunities
• Employment is projected to grow faster than
average.
• Job prospects should be good, reflecting the
need to replace the large number of dentists
expected to retire.
Job Prospects
• The employment of dentists is projected to
grow by 16% through 2018, which is faster
than the average for all occupations.
• The demand for dental services is expected
to continue to increase.
– access to dental insurance
– the exploding elderly population
Earnings
• Median annual wages of salaried general
dentists were $142,870 in May 2008.
• Dentists who are salaried often receive benefits
paid by their employer.
DENTAL HYGIENISTS
Work Description
• Dental hygienists clean teeth and provide other
preventive dental care
• They also teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene.
• Hygienists examine patients’ teeth and gums, recording the
presence of diseases or abnormalities.
• They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; take
and develop dental X-rays;
• They apply cavity preventive agents such as fluorides and
pit and fissure sealants.
• In some states, hygienists administer local anesthetics and
anesthetic gas; place and carve filling materials, temporary
fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and
smooth and polish metal restorations.
Employment Opportunities
• Dental hygienists held about 174,100 jobs in
2008.
• About 51% of dental hygienists worked part
time.
• Almost all jobs for dental hygienists—about
96%—were in offices of dentists.
Educational and Legal Requirements
• Prospective dental hygienists must become
licensed in the state in which they wish to
practice.
• A degree from an accredited dental hygiene
school is required along with licensure
examinations.
Education and Training
• A high school diploma and college entrance
test scores are usually required for admission
to a dental hygiene program.
• High school students interested in becoming a
dental hygienist should take courses in
biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
• Also, some dental hygiene programs require
applicants to have completed at least 1 year of
college.
Licensure
• Dental hygienists must be licensed by the
state in which they practice.
• Nearly all states require candidates to graduate
from an accredited dental hygiene school and
pass both a written and clinical
examination.
• The American Dental Association’s Joint
Commission on National Dental Examinations
administers the written examination.
Other Qualifications
• Dental hygienists should work well with others
because they work closely with dentists and
dental assistants as well as deal directly with
patients.
• Hygienists also need good manual dexterity,
because they use dental instruments within a
patient’s mouth, with little room for error.
• Dental hygienists sometimes work with radiation
technology
Advancement
• Advancement opportunities
– working outside a typical dentist’s office - usually
requires a Bachelor or Master degree in dental
hygiene (Clark College has Bachelors program)
• Some dental hygienists may choose to pursue a
career teaching in a dental hygiene program,
working in public health, or working in a
corporate setting.
Employment Trends
• Dental hygienist ranks among the fastestgrowing occupations, and job prospects are
expected to be favorable in most areas, but
competition for jobs is likely in some areas.
Employment Change
• Employment of dental hygienists is expected
to grow 36% through 2018, which is much
faster than the average for all occupations.
• This projected growth ranks dental hygienist
among the fastest-growing occupations, in
response to increasing demand for dental
care and the greater use of hygienists.
Earnings
• Median annual wages of dental hygienists
were $66,570 in May 2008.
• The middle 50% earned between $55,220
and $78,990.
• The lowest 10% earned less than $44,180.
• The highest 10% earned more than $91,470.
DENTAL ASSISTANTS
Work Description
• Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office,
and laboratory duties.
• They work chairside as Dentists AND Hygienists examine
and treat patients.
• They make patients comfortable, prepare them for
treatment, and obtain dental records.
• Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists, and
keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using suction or
other devices.
• They also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment,
prepare tray setups for dental procedures, and instruct
patients on postoperative and general oral health care.
Work Environment
• Dental assistants work in a well-lighted, clean
environment.
• Their work area is usually near the dental chair,
so they can arrange instruments, materials, and
medication and hand them to the dentist when
needed.
• Dental assistants wear gloves and masks to
protect themselves from infectious diseases.
• Following safety procedures minimizes the risks
of handling radiographic equipment.
Employment Opportunities
• About 93% of all jobs for dental assistants were
in offices of dentists.
• A small number of jobs were in the federal, state,
and local governments or in offices of physicians.
• Some dental assistants worked part time,
sometimes in more than one dental office.
Educational and Legal Requirements
• Many assistants learn their skills on the job,
although an increasing number are trained in
dental-assisting programs
– Most programs take 1 year to complete.
• Many states require assistants to obtain a
license or certification.
– especially if working with radiation procedures
Education and Training
• In most states, there are no formal
education or training requirements to
become an entry-level dental assistant.
• High school students interested in a career as a
dental assistant should take courses in biology,
chemistry, health, and office practices.
Licensure and Certification
• Most states regulate the duties that dental
assistants are allowed to perform.
• Licensure may include attending an accredited
dental-assisting program and passing a written
or practical examination.
• Certification is available through the DANB
Advancement
• Without further education, advancement
opportunities are limited.
• Some dental assistants become office
managers, dental-assisting instructors, dental
product sales representatives, or insurance
claims processors for dental insurance
companies.
Employment Trends/Prospects
• Employment is expected to grow 36% from 2008
to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all
occupations.
• Dental assistant is expected to be among the fastest
growing occupations over the 2008–2018
projection period.
• Job prospects for dental assistants should be
excellent, as dentists continue to need the aid of
qualified dental assistants.
Earnings
• Median annual wages of dental assistants were
$32,380 in May 2008.
• The middle 50% earned between $26,980
and $38,960.
• The lowest 10% earned less than $22,270, and
the highest 10% earned more than $46,150.