Both dentists and dental hygienists are essential to providing oral health care, but their educational requirements, employment responsibilities, and pay are different. Learning about both career pathways might help you decide which one best suits your goals if you're interested in dentistry and oral health. In this post, we outline the jobs of a dentist and a dental hygienist, point out how they differ, and provide advice on how to become ready for a career in dentistry.
What is a dentist?
A dentist is a medical professional who practices dentistry, which is the study of oral health and the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. Dentists also engage in tooth repair, tooth extraction and tooth replacement. They provide their patients with crucial care through regularly scheduled checkups, cleanings and guidance. They also educate patients so that patients can maintain their oral health between visits.
What is a dental hygienist?
A dental hygienist is an oral health professional who works with patients before the dentist sees and evaluates them. Dental hygienists perform important steps to prepare people for their procedures and checkups. A dental hygienist often takes X-rays, cleans patients' teeth, removes plaque and applies polish to teeth. They may also check for signs of oral diseases. Additionally, a dental hygienist advises patients on the best way to prevent tooth and gum disease, and they provide guidance on preventative activities like brushing and flossing regularly.
Dentist vs. dental hygienist
Dentists and dental hygienists are both provide important dental care, and patients can expect to interact with people in both careers when attending a dental appointment. However, there are important distinctions between the two professions. Here are the four main ways that a career as a dentist differs from a career as a dental hygienist:
1. Education requirements
To become a dentist, a bachelor's degree is first required. Aspiring dentists in their undergraduate education may major in chemistry or biology or take pre-medical courses of study. After completing the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), they attend a dental school program that lasts four years. Upon completion of all requirements, students earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). New dental school graduates then take a series of state-administered licensure exams. Once they have learned the appropriate licenses, they can practice dentistry.
Becoming a dental hygienist involves earning an associate degree and obtaining a state license. Dental hygienists can obtain their education through dedicated dental hygiene programs offered at community colleges, technical schools, four-year institutions or dental schools. These programs require a high school degree or GED as a prerequisite. Some dental hygienists choose to further their expertise by earning a bachelor's degree. Regardless of degree type, courses are likely to cover dental anatomy, biomedical science, periodontology, preventative oral hygiene and disease prevention.
2. Salary and compensation
The average annual salary of a dentist is $236,825 per year. Dentists may be part of a large dental health practice, or they may practice on their own in a smaller setting.
On average, dental hygienists earn $78,828 per year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, both of these careers often yield weekly earnings and annual salaries that are higher than other careers with similar educational requirements.
3. Job outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects the number of new jobs available for to grow approximately 3% through the year 2030. This rate of growth is about average in comparison to other careers. Conversely, the projected growth rate for jobs for dental hygienists is 6% during this same time period, which is faster than average. The BLS states that both of these careers will experience growth as medical research continues to link dental health to overall health, driving demand for increased dental services.
4. Core responsibilities and duties
While both dental hygienists and dentists have duties relating to patient care, there are differences in their primary responsibilities. Typically, dentists work to identify, diagnose and treat tooth decay and gum disease. They often administer local anesthetics for basic procedures and can prescribe medication. Dental hygienists assist dentists in conducting cleanings and advising patients on proper oral hygiene and care. While they cannot perform operations or advanced procedures, they may help dentists in administering this care.
4 tips for preparing for a career in dentistry
Here are four important tips for preparing for a career in dentistry:
Research different careers in dentistry
It's important to first research the different types of careers in the field of dentistry. In addition to dentists and dental hygienists, there are orthodontists, oral surgeons and dental assistants. Each position has a unique set of educational requirements and salary. As you make a decision, you may want to decide how much time you want to commit to school and what you want most out of your career. Additionally, you may want to reach out to people who work in these fields to gain insight into their experiences.
Define your support system
Starting your career can include lifestyle changes like attending school or relocating to a new city or state. In these circumstances, it's helpful to identify and speak with the people within your support system. This is a group of people in your personal network who you can rely on for physical, mental and emotional support. Each individual's support system is unique, and may include family members, friends, healthcare providers, religious leaders or academic advisors. Identifying your support system before you make any lifestyle changes equips you to better utilize this system if you encounter any challenges.
Strengthen your study habits
Starting a career in dentistry requires multiple years of study, and earning a position after graduation depends on both academic success and your success on any relevant standardized state licensing exams. For this reason, it's important to develop your organization and study habits if you want to pursue a dentistry career. Consider things like watching a tutorial on note-taking, joining a study group or creating a detailed planner.
Expand your professional network
Your professional network is made up of people you meet in academic settings, your work-related connections and your personal relationships. It represents a group of people who might help you learn about career opportunities or learning experiences. Having a strong professional network is likely to improve your career trajectory, so it's useful to make consistent efforts to connect with others. To do this, consider joining an alumni group or attending an industry-related workshop or seminar event.
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