Dental assistant question? dental hygienist question?

Question

Im trying to decide which one to do. I know I want to be a dental hygienist but I really need to go ahead and get on my feet. Dental assisting taking less time, I was considering doing it and then going back to become a dental hygienist. my question is do dental assistants get to clean teeth as well? I know they can't scrub the teeth and their jobs are limited but can they?what all do they do? thanks

Answer 1

If you want to be a Dental Hygienist, then go to school for 2 years and be done with it. The time goes by fast, and the financial and personal rewards will be well worth it. If you know thats what you want to be,then go for it!!   Good luck......

Answer 2

I think it depends on your state regulations as to exactly what you are able to do. Some allows assistants to polish teeth, while some do not allow them to do anything related to dental hygiene besides oral health instructions.

Answer 3

Assistant: assists the dentist during procedures such as crown preps, bridges etc.  

Hygienist:  really the only ones that can "clean teeth".  They are licensed to go below the gum line to do a lot of periodontal cleaning.  

If I were you--- head straight to hygiene school.  There are girls that were assistants in my class and they wished they would have just gone straight to hygiene school.  Good pay for only 2 years of school and well worth it.  

Answer 4

FYI,

ONLY HYGIENISTS CLEAN TEETH OFFICIALLY AND ARE LICENSED TO DO SO.