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Monster: What made you want to be a Dental Hygienist?
Kerri: I always knew I wanted to do something in Dentistry - I just wasn’t sure which area. After leaving school I began working as a Dental Nurse which I thoroughly enjoyed and it confirmed for me that this was definitely the environment I wished to work.
However, I realised quite quickly I wanted more responsibility in the dental team and a more practical and interactive role with patients. Being a Dental Hygienist was the obvious next step.
What skills and education are essential to your job?
When I applied for the hygienist training course I needed a B in biology A-level and/or the dental nurse qualification plus experience working as a dental nurse. However different schools have different criteria and it’s changed a lot in recent years.
I was then on a 2 year full time course for a diploma in dental hygiene. To be a dental hygienist you need to be hard-working, have good communication skills and good manual dexterity.
What advice can you offer someone wanting to become a Dental Hygienist?
I think you should get some experience first at being a Dental Nurse because you gain invaluable skills to use throughout your career. You will also find out if working as part of a dental team is really for you.
What are the best and worst aspects of your role?
The best part of my job is when you make a difference to someone’s oral health. By motivating them to improve their dental health combined with treatment carried out by yourself, you can successfully save that patient from losing their teeth. Another very rewarding aspect is when you can build up the trust needed to help a nervous patient overcome their fear of the dentist.
The difficult aspects are that some days can be tiring and hard work especially when you have 20 or so patients to see. But you get through it and at the end of the day you feel like you’ve really achieved something.
Are there any perks to the job?
Free toothbrush samples!
What is the end goal in your career?
One day I would like to own my own dental practice and continue working as a dental hygienist, specialising in periodontal treatment.
Finish this sentence. "This week I have been mostly..."
“…making people happy by giving them clean and polished teeth.”
Fancy following in Kerri's footsteps? Check out our latest Dental Hygienist jobs. |
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