Are you looking for a new career? If you’re looking for something that’s both rewarding and flexible, dental hygiene may be right for you. This exciting career path gives you the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Just as importantly, it gives you the flexibility you need to care for your family or pursue other interests. Here’s why working in dental hygiene is so rewarding and flexible.
Help Patients Stay Healthy
Dental hygienists play a key role in their patients’ oral health. They work with dentists to ensure patients’ oral health needs are met. Dental hygienists are responsible for removing calculus and plaque from patients’ teeth. Since these deposits contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems, you’ll be helping patients stay healthy.
Dental hygienists also counsel patients about appropriate oral hygiene strategies. After showing someone how to brush or floss properly, you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction. Dental hygienists are also responsible for conducting oral cancer screenings. Early detection can save lives, so this work is very important and rewarding.
Excellent Salary
Let’s face it, pay is one of the most important aspects of any career. Receiving excellent pay for your work goes a long way towards making your job rewarding. The good news is dental hygienists are very well compensated, overall.
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) conducts regular salary surveys. According to its data, dental hygienists across Canada make an average of $40.18 per hour. New dental hygienists may make less than the average, while experienced ones make more.
A high hourly salary isn’t the only thing aspiring dental hygienists can look forward to. According to a CDHA survey, seventy-nine percent of dental hygienists get benefits from their employers.
Enjoy Job Security
Dental hygiene is a secure career field. This is reflected in the low unemployment rates for people in this field. The national unemployment rate is only 2.1 percent for dental hygienists, according to a CDHA survey. That’s about one-third of the national average. When you choose a career as a dental hygienist, you can trust that there will be demand for your services.
Opportunity for Self-Employment
Dental hygienists can work for dentists as employees, or they can be self-employed professionals. The opportunity to become self-employed gives your career more flexibility. It also gives you the satisfaction of being a business owner.
When you’re self-employed, you’re in control of your work schedule. You can work as few or as many hours as you want to. You have the flexibility to work for more than one dental office, if you want to. Self-employment also comes with the potential to make more profit than you would if you were traditionally employed.
Flexible Work Schedules
You don’t need to become self-employed to enjoy a flexible schedule as a dental hygienist. Even as regular employees, dental hygienists can enjoy flexible work schedules. Both part-time and full-time work is available. If you can’t work full-time due to other commitments, you don’t have to. Some dental hygienists work fewer than 10 hours a week, which gives them a lot of time to spend with their families.
Flexible work hours can also be found in the field of dental hygiene. You won’t be stuck working Monday to Friday, nine to five. If you like working evenings and weekends, some dental offices are open during those times. You can seek employment in those offices and work the hours you enjoy. On the other hand, if you only want to work during regular business hours, you can find that, too.