DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRE-DENTISTRY AND DENTAL HYGIENE

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dental-hygienist-vs-dentist
dental-hygienist-vs-dentist

For someone to be termed a “pre-dental”, it simply implies that such a person is en route to dental school to become a dentist. After taking and passing their pre-dental courses, they can then proceed to dental school. Generally, a pre-dental course is an undergraduate degree followed by a four-year professional program.

Pre Dentals are advised to volunteer at a local dental clinic or hospital. This is to help them gain enough practical experience in dentistry even before they get admitted into dental school. Doing this will also help their application process and boost their chance of getting accepted to the best dental schools. This way, they have a higher chance of working in top-notch dental clinics like North Scottsdale Dentistry  

To become a Dental Hygienist all you have to do is to go through academic programs at technical colleges, community colleges, dental schools, or universities. For those who opt-in for a community college program, it takes about two years to get completed.

Dentists and Dental hygienists have to work together to provide people with excellent oral health care. Dental hygienists are licensed healthcare providers that deal with oral health issues like plaque removal, hygiene education, and teeth cleaning. They are an important part of the dental health care team and oftentimes, helps dentists in developing excellent oral hygiene treatment plans for patients based on their clinical evidence.

They help lift a considerable amount of the burden off the dentist’s shoulders, giving dentists ample time to perform more advanced procedures. Dental hygienists perform many of the preventive dental procedures in a dental office. This includes: examining patients for oral diseases, teeth cleaning, and other preventative dental care. They also enlighten patients on ways to maintain and improve good oral health

Dental hygiene program admission requirements are not the same in every school. However, high school-level courses such as biology, health, mathematics, chemistry, and psychology, are considered the standard requirements for most dental hygiene programs.

How a Dentist and Dental Hygienist Work Together. 

A dentist diagnoses the problem that a dental hygienist has taken note of in a patient’s mouth. A dentist comes up with a plan for the procedure of treatment and helps the patient to achieve perfect oral health. A dental hygienist’s main job description is to maintain preventative care and help in avoiding any subsequent issues. They are the one who cleans and polishes the teeth when you go in for a dental appointment. The dental hygienists make sure to scrape the plaque off the teeth. They are also in charge of oral X-rays, applying sealants, and performing fluoride rinsing. Sometimes, a dental hygienist can also help come up with ways to fix a particular oral problem. They also offer tips on the best ways to brush, and what types of foods to eat or the types to avoid to maintain a healthy dental life. On a visit to a dental office, the first dental personnel that attends to a patient is a dental hygienist.

Dentist Training Requirements

Becoming a dentist requires one to attend school for a couple of years. Attending dental school is necessary for all intending to be dentists. To gain admission into a dental school, students need to take a couple of science-based courses while in their undergraduate degree program. If the aim is to become a general dentist, earning a dental degree is enough to start practicing. However, if an individual wants to specialise, they need to undergo another form of training. This is known as the residency program. Depending on the specialty and program, a residency lasts for about 2 to 4 years.  

Dental Hygienist Training Requirements

To become a dental hygienist, you do not require as much training as a dentist. An associate degree level program, which lasts for two years, and a bachelor’s degree level program, which lasts for four years is all that is needed to become a dental hygienist. Just like with most medical-related courses, you are also required to take a final exam. If you pass the state-sponsored licensing exam, you become a licensed dental hygienist. 

Despite the differences between a dentist and a dental hygienist, they both share a common goal; which is solving oral health issues and making people feel better.

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