How Does a Dental Hygienist Differ From a Dentist?
A dentist and a dental hygienist are both healthcare professionals that deal with the care of dental health such as teeth and gums. Both require training beyond high school and they both also require a state license in order to work. But a dental hygienist and a dentist differ greatly in several other areas.
Dental Hygienist Requirements
A dental hygienist completes a two-year training program. They do have the option to go to college for a Bachelors or Masters degree in dental hygiene. After their two-year program, they are given an Associates degree. They must obtain a license that is issued by the state in order to work as a dental hygienist. To obtain a license, a written test and a hands-on test is required.
Dentist Requirements
A dentist goes to college and receives a Bachelor's degree. Then they must attend dental school. In order to attend dental school, students are required to take the Dental Admissions Test. Admission to dental school is based on the grades from that test as well as the GPA from their college grades. Dental school is a four-year program and upon completion of dental school, the dentist is then out given the degree of doctor of dental surgery. A dentist then needs to complete a written exam and clinical experience before obtaining a state license to practice as a dentist.
Work Environment
The work environment is different for a dental hygienist than a dentist. Many dentists have their own business, which means they are the only ones practicing dentistry in an office. They do have a small staff of employees with dental hygienists being part of that staff. Dentists normally work 40+ hours a week whereas dental hygienists work part-time. A dental hygienist will earn about three times less money per hour than a dentist.
The duties of a dental hygienist include scaling and polishing teeth, performing treatments to get rid of gum disease, telling patients about dental health, helping dentists during treatments and taking x-rays.
The duties of a dentist's are far more complicated and intense than those of a dental hygienist. A dentist will perform duties such as diagnosing dental problems, treating dental problems, performing fillings, root canals, extractions, dental implants, taking out wisdom teeth, putting in braces, corrective surgeries and writing prescriptions.