Tag Archives: Dental Science

Becoming an Allied Dental Educator

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Allied Dental Educators train students to become Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists or Dental Laboratory Technicians. They remain on the forefront when it comes to oral health practice and dental science. As the dental technology keeps changing fast, they must stay up-to-date with new techniques and research information.

Apart from imparting classroom teaching, the Allied Dental Educators are also required to supervise students in a laboratory and clinical setting and train them on how to provide quality oral health care to patients. Some of them also help publishers develop new textbooks and other training, teaching and evaluation materials. Sometimes, they are entrusted with the task of consulting with the manufacturers about the design of dental equipments.

Education Requirements:

A four-year bachelor’s degree in any science discipline is must as the first step towards becoming an Allied Dental Educator. Coursework in physics, chemistry and biology will help the students get the exposure and skill set they need to do well in this profession. Full-time positions in dental hygiene programs generally require a graduate or doctoral degree. The Allied Dental Educators also need professional certification or licensure to get hired at a good salary.

Working Environments:

Whether it’s full time or part-time, the Allied Dental Educators get employment at community colleges, vocational schools, colleges, universities, health centers, dental schools and any other laboratories. They also work closely with organizations and committees, giving their best shots.

Salary & Job Outlook:

A full-time Allied Dental Educator can earn between $41,000 and $62,000 a year. The job outlook remains very bright for this profession. There are hundreds of vacant jobs in the United States that need to be filled over the next few years.

Becoming a Dental Hygienist

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Dental Hygienists provide educational, clinical, medical, research, administrative and therapeutic services on oral healthcare. They diagnose the patients’ oral tissues and overall health to determine the disease or other issues such as risk factors and offer preventive services. They also educate the patients on oral hygiene and preventive oral care. They generally work under the supervision of licensed Dentists. The Dental Hygienists get employment at dental clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree: Dental Hygienists usually hold an Associate’s Degree. The two-year Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene programs can be availed at community colleges, vocational institutes or dental schools. The major courses in this degree program include oral pathology, dental science, radiology, pain management, periodontics, community dental health and pharmacology.
  2. Licensing: All states in the United States require Dental Hygienists to hold licenses. The Associate’s Degree, school transcripts and/or letters of recommendation are needed to qualify to sit in the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA), which has the final authority to grant the license.
  3. Career Advancement: A higher degree in Bachelor’s or Master’s will help the Dental Hygienists get further growth in their career. That might assist them go beyond the dental office and get a job in research and teaching.

Salary & Job Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary of a Dental Hygienist was $71,110 per year in 2013. The job outlook remains bright for this profession, as it is projected to grow at 33% during the period 2012-22.