Could I Be A Successful Dental Hygienist?
Dental hygienists are an integral part of a dentist's team, as well as the patient's experience. So how do you know if you're suited for a career in dental hygiene? Take the self-assessment quiz below and see if this path might be right for you.
Which of these qualities apply to you?
| Do you have good people skills? | Yes or No |
| Are you dexterous? | Yes or No |
| Are you service-oriented? | Yes or No |
| Do you have strong critical judgment skills? | Yes or No |
| Are you responsible? | Yes or No |
| Can you multitask? | Yes or No |
| Are you diligent? | Yes or No |
| Are you comfortable working with other people's bodies? | Yes or No |
| Are you compassionate? | Yes or No |
| Are you detail-focused and attentive? | Yes or No |
Why Does a Dental Hygienist Need These Traits?
Do you have good people skills?
Hygienists work directly with patients and must be comfortable with extensive one-on-one interactions.
Are you dexterous?
Having technical dexterity is essential to the hands-on work that hygienists do while cleaning teeth and performing check ups.
Are you service-oriented?
A hygienist will provide a better patient experience if they are dedicated to customer service and creating a welcoming environment.
Do you have strong critical judgment skills?
When looking at teeth or assessing dental scans and x-rays, hygienists must be able to evaluate the appropriate and necessary courses of action.
Are you responsible?
A dentist needs to be able to trust a hygienist to treat patients with care and give them proper attention.
Can you multitask?
Hygienists will have multiple responsibilities and tasks happening at once, and they must be able to remain focused and accurate in their own work while also attending to the needs of the dentist.
Are you diligent?
The career of a hygienist requires dedication and commitment, and it is important to be a hard-working and self-motivated individual to succeed.
Are you comfortable working with other people's bodies?
Hygienists will encounter blood, saliva and mucus in their careers and must not be easily made squeamish by these things.
Are you compassionate?
Showing compassion for patients will elevate the level of patient care and avoid causing unnecessary pain or discomfort during treatment.
Are you detail-focused and attentive?
Hygienists need to follow specific protocol in their work in order to be efficient and effective.
Getting Started As A Dental Hygienist
Were your answers yes to the majority of the questions above? If so, you could be on the right path to a great career as a dental hygienist. Programs for studying dental hygiene can be found in many community colleges and technical schools and generally last three years.
