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Many dental professionals find their work highly satisfying. A survey of USA dental professionals, including hygienists and assistants, revealed that patients were among the top things they loved about their jobs. Other top reasons dental hygienists and assistants love their jobs include great hours—most full-time schedules are four days per week (32 hours) and make you eligible for benefits, the benefits are good, and the satisfaction of the work itself. However, the patients themselves were a clear winner.
If you have excellent attention to detail, enjoy working with people, getting to know them, and helping them stay healthy, a career as a dental professional could be right for you. Of course, you’ll also need to consider other factors when making this decision. You’ll need to know how to get started, what to expect on the job, and how to find work near you. As the most popular temping agency in the U.S., we know getting started as a dental professional can involve a lot of questions. That’s why we’re here to help!
Kwikly is dedicated to helping all dental professionals—seasoned and new—love their jobs even more. Our cloud-based app for temporary work makes it easier than ever to find the right shift for your needs. Unlike traditional dental temping agencies, Kwikly makes it easy to pick up shifts as a temporary dental professional—all from your mobile device! Kwikly partners with dental offices near you that need qualified, hardworking, temporary team members. At our temping agency, you get 24/7 support available, competitive pay, and the flexibility to choose the shifts when you want – Kwikly makes working as a dental professional better than ever.
The most crucial part of any journey is taking the first step. If you’re ready to take your first steps toward becoming a dental professional, read on to learn more about what’s in store.
How Do I Get Started as a Dental Professional in the United States?
Whether you’re interested in becoming a dental hygienist or dental assistant, the steps to get started have some key similarities.
Getting Started as a Dental Assistant
Dental assisting is a growing field. It’s becoming more in demand as America’s population ages and healthcare technology advances. To get started as a dental assistant, you’ll need to do the following:
- Get accepted to an accredited educational program
- Earn a dental assistant certificate or associate’s degree
- Obtain licensure, depending on your state’s requirements
Once you’re licensed as a dental assistant, you’ll be ready to pursue employment, whether that be in a permanent position, or at a temping agency.
Getting Started as a Dental Hygienist
The steps to get started as a dental hygienist also involve education and licensure. You’ll need to:
- Apply to and get accepted to dental hygiene school, which requires prerequisite coursework
- Obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
- Meet all clinical requirements associated with your program
- Pass a national board exam
- Obtain licensure, meeting state-dependent requirements
- Obtain optional certification in specific areas such as local anesthesia or nitrous oxide administration
Once your education and training is complete, you’ll be on your way to a rewarding career as a dental hygienist.
What’s It Really Like To Be a Dental Professional?
Before you invest in preparation for a career in this field, it’s important to know what you can expect on the job. Of course, one of the best ways to understand a career is to speak with people who are currently in it. We recommend networking with other dental assistants and dental hygienists—ideally before, during, and after completing your training. However, here are the top 10 reasons why dental professionals such as hygienists love their work.
What To Expect on the Job as a Dental Assistant
Dental assistants get to spend their workdays helping people. While the job is physically demanding and often requires frequent task switching, it’s rewarding too. Assistants typically help dentists and hygienists provide excellent patient care. Assistants are often responsible for communicating clearly with patients, helping to keep patients relaxed, and ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for patient care.
What To Expect On the Job as a Dental Hygienist
As a dental hygienist, you’ll perform a variety of tasks from day to day. Some of these can include cleaning patients’ teeth and providing treatments to prevent decay. Hygienists also talk with patients about their oral health and educate them about at-home dental care. They may also perform imaging or other tasks that help dentists effectively treat patients.
Whether working as an assistant or hygienist, you can expect a fast-paced environment in most dental offices. You can also expect some patients who feel apprehensive at the dentist’s office. You’ll need to remain calm and reassuring while working with anxious patients—your demeanor can go a long way towards helping them get excellent care.
What’s the Best Way To Find Work as a Dental Professional
in the USA: Assistants & Hygienists
One way to get started as a dental assistant or dental hygienist is to simply begin applying for positions in local dental practices. However, many dental professionals are finding that they prefer working with a dental staffing agency as a temporary team member. Working with temping agencies like Kwikly has many benefits, including flexible hours and the opportunity to network extensively.
So, how do you get started as a dental temp? You could simply search for “dental agencies near me” and choose from the options your search engine provides. However, you’d be missing out on the unique benefits that Kwikly provides temporary dental professionals, such as an all-in-one app for temporary work.
Why Work With Kwikly To Find Temporary Dental Work?
When choosing a dental staffing agency, there are many reasons why Kwikly is the best choice. For one thing, working with Kwikly means you’ll never have to negotiate pay rates. Kwikly ensures you’ll be paid a competitive salary while also handling payroll taxes and insurance. Kwikly also makes it easy to pick up shifts on our intuitive cloud-based mobile app for temporary work.
When you work with Kwikly – the USA’s leading dental staffing agency – you won’t be on your own; you’ll have 24/7 support available when you need it, to help you succeed on the job. You can also enjoy benefits like health insurance, even while working as a temporary dental professional.
With Kwikly, you can enjoy maximum flexibility while building a successful long-term career as a temporary dental professional. You can even use Kwikly to find placement as a permanent team member at a dental office you like.
Join Over 5,000 Dental Professionals in the USA Who Love Using Kwikly!
Kwikly is here to help you succeed as a dental professional. Whether you’re new to the field or you’ve been working in dental offices for a long time, you’ll love the convenience and support our dental staffing agency provides – not to mention the ease of finding shifts with our app for temporary work. Sign up for Kwikly today to get started!
