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Frequently
Asked Questions About
a Career in Dental
Hygiene
Q. Are there job
opportunities in most
areas of the state?
A. According to most
surveys, Louisiana has
fewer dentists and dental
hygienists to serve the
needs of our population.
While the "distribution of
hygienists" remains a
concern everywhere, dental
hygiene graduates in
Louisiana do find jobs.
Q. What types of jobs
are available after I
graduate from dental
hygiene?
A. Although most dental
hygienists work in a
private dental office,
there are several other
job opportunities
available to dental
hygienists:
Education:
There are over 300 dental
hygiene programs in the
United States and they all
employ dental hygienists
as educators. Usually the
positions require a
Bachelor or Master's
degree.
Federal jobs:
Opportunities are
available for dental
hygienists in prisons,
Veterans Administration
facilities, and the
military.
Sales: Many
dental supply companies
employ dental hygienists
either as sales
representatives or as part
of their education or
research departments.
Public Health:
Depending on the state one
chooses to live in, there
are opportunities for
dental hygienists in
public schools or public
health departments.
Q. What types of
advanced degrees are
available for dental
hygienists?
A. Dental hygienists can
earn a Master degree in
either Dental Hygiene,
Education, Public Health,
Business, or other
health-related areas.
Dental Hygienists can also
pursue a Ph.D. in these
areas, especially if they
wish to consider an
academic career or serve
in a public health
leadership position.
Q. If I wanted to move
out of state, would my
Louisiana license allow
me to work?
A. Generally speaking,
each state has its own
licensure requirements.
Many states, like
Louisiana, are part of
regional examination
boards. Although some
states are more flexible
than others, all retain
some measure of
individuality.
Q. Do most hygiene
jobs have benefits?
A. In Louisiana, a
"benefits package" seems
to be the exception rather
than the rule. However,
flexible working hours, a
nice working environment,
and very competitive
salaries do seem to offset
the lack of benefits.
Q. How are dental
hygienists paid in most
cases---hourly, daily,
weekly, monthly?
A. Depending on the
working site,
compensations will vary.
It seems that most private
practice settings pay
hygienists by the day.
Q. What is the
difference between a
dental hygienist, a
dental assistant, and
dental technologist?
A. In Louisiana, a dental
hygienist delivers
treatment to patients
under the general
supervision of a dentist;
a dental assistant may
perform a limited number
of services for a patient
but normally assists the
dentist chairside; a
dental technologist does
not treat patients
directly, but instead
performs laboratory
procedures from a written
prescription (from a
licensed dentist).
Q. What school-related
activities are available
for dental hygiene
students?
A. Dental Hygiene students
are very active in the
LSUSD chapter of the
Student American Dental
Hygienists' Association
(SADHA). SADHA is the
students' branch of the
American Dental
Hygienists' Association.
There are annual elections
for officers of the SADHA
chapter from each class.
There are also annual
elections for
representatives for the
Student Government
Association of the LSUHSC
School of Dentistry.
Students who demonstrate
exemplary scholarship,
character, & potential
for professional growth
are invited to become
alumnae members of Sigma
Phi Alpha, the National
Dental Hygiene Honor
Society. In addition,
students are very active
in community projects and
various fundraisers
benefiting local
charities.
Want More
Information?
Contact:
Jane Walsh, RDH, JD,
Program Director of Dental
Hygiene
Telephone:
504-941-8156
Fax: 504-941-8154
E-mail: jwals2@lsuhsc.edu
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