This video discusses the individuals working in a dentist office and the difference between a dentist and a dental hygienist. It’s to help people who are having a difficult time deciding if they want to be dentists or dental hygienists. There are significant differences in the education that these people need and their salaries and pay rates.
A dentist needs a much greater degree of education than a dental hygienist does. A dentist has to undergo at least four years of training and then go to a dental college for another four years. A dental hygienist only needs an associate’s degree, and most people can obtain that in as little as two years.
The hygienist is usually the person who has the first interactions with the patients. He or she sometimes takes x-rays of the patients and then performs the brushing, flossing, and polishing of the teeth. The dentist is usually the one who helps patients to create effective treatment strategies to resolve their issues. For example, a dentist may suggest that a patient get a filling to stop cavity progress. The dentist would also recommend alternative treatment methods and discuss the risks and benefits of each method. Dentists perform some surgical procedures as well, but hygienists do not.
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