What does a dental hygienist do?

Dental hygienists provide education and clinical services to promote optimal oral health. They provide treatment to help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems. While they most typically work in private dental offices and clinics, dental hygienists also may find employment in health departments, hospitals, nursing homes, school districts, corporate settings, military services, correctional facilities, or dental education facilities. This flexible career allows hygienists to choose to work anywhere from one to five days per week.

What might a dental hygienist do in a workday?

  • patient screening procedures, such as review of the health history, dental charting, and taking blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.
  • administering local anesthesia and nitrous oxide.
  • making and developing dental radiographs (X-rays).
  • removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from the teeth.
  • applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g. fluoride and sealants).
  • teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene techniques to maintain and improve oral health.
  • counseling patients regarding good nutrition and its impact on oral health.
  • counseling patients regarding the link of oral health to serious systematic health problems.
  • performing office management duties.
  • performing oral cancer screenings.
  • performing screenings and hygiene examinations for the public.

How much does a dental hygienist earn?

  • $55,220 - $78,990

How do I become a dental hygienist?

Students intending to pursue a career as a dental hygienist should prepare by taking challenging science, math, pharmacology, and nutrition courses. Dental hygienists receive their education through accredited academic programs at community colleges or universities. The majority of community college programs take two years to complete but require prerequisites for entry into the program*, with graduates receiving associate degrees. An associate degree allows the hygienist to become eligible for a state and national licensure examination. University based dental hygiene programs may offer bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees, each requiring at least two additional years of schooling. These advanced degrees are required for careers in teaching, research, and public health programs.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, dental hygienists must obtain a license from the Board of Dentistry. In order to receive this license, applicants must be graduates of an accredited dental hygiene program, pass the dental hygiene examination given by the Joint Commission on Dental Examinations, and pass a clinical examination. License renewal is granted annually upon completion of required continuing education.

*The average associate program requires 88 credit hours for graduation/degree.

Where else can I learn about becoming a dental hygienist

Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association
tel:  (888) RDH-VDHA • (888) 734-8342 / web:  www.vdha.net

American Dental Hygienists’ Association
444 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 3400 / Chicago, IL 60611
tel:  (312) 440-8900 / web: www.adha.org

State License Requirements for Dental Hygienists:

A license is required to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/dentistry.

Virginia Board of Dentistry
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA 23233-1463
tel:  (804) 367-4538 / Email: denbd@dhp.virginia.gov

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Dental Hygiene:

What does a dental laboratory technician do?

Dental laboratory technicians make and repair dental appliances, such as dentures, crowns, and braces. They usually work in dental offices and commercial laboratories.

What might a dental laboratory technician do in a workday?

Dental laboratory technicians:

  • provide essential support service for the dental profession according to the dentist’s prescription or work request.
  • fabricate dental models from dentist’s impressions in order to make repairs and fabricate crowns, bridges, partial and complete dentures, and orthodontic appliances based on the dentist’s prescription.
  • cast various dental alloys for fabrication of crowns, bridges, and removable partial dentures.
  • select and arrange artificial teeth using color charts and tooth illustrations for fabrication of complete and partial dentures.
  • build, contour, and fire dental porcelain in special vacuum porcelain ovens.
  • polish alloys, acrylic, and porcelain surfaces to clinical acceptability.
  • bend and solder stainless steel wire to fabricate orthodontic retainers and various other orthodontic appliances.

Developing a Career as a Dental Laboratory Technician:

Dental laboratory technicians can specialize in various aspects of the work prescribed by dentists and orthodontists: crown and bridge technicians, denture technicians, partial denture technicians, ceramic technicians, and orthodontic technicians. Most dental laboratory technicians work in commercial dental laboratories. Employment opportunities also are available in private dental offices, dental schools, hospitals, and companies that manufacture dental prosthetic materials.

How much does a dental laboratory technician earn?

  • $22,000 - $50,000

How do I become a dental laboratory technician?

Students wishing to pursue a career as a dental laboratory technician should take challenging high school courses in science, math, and English. Most dental laboratory technicians receive their education and training through a two-year program at a community college, vocational school, technical college, or dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Graduates of these programs usually receive associate degrees. In most cases, an individual needs a high school diploma to apply to an accredited program. Dental laboratory technicians are certified by passing an examination that evaluates their technical skills and knowledge.

Some people become dental laboratory technicians through a five-year apprenticeship program, with most of the training acquired on the job.

Where else can I learn about becoming a dental laboratory technician?

National Association of Dental Laboratories
325 John Knox Road, L103 / Tallahassee, FL 32303
tel: (800) 950-1150 or (850) 205-5626 / web: www.nadl.org

National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
325 John Knox Road, L103 / Tallahassee, FL 32303
tel: (800) 684-5310 / web: www.nbccert.org

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Dental Laboratory Technicians:

What does a health information manager do?

Health information managers (registered record administrators, accredited record technicians, and certified coding specialists) are professionals who secure, analyze, and integrate a variety of health care and financial data used to evaluate patient care, plan health care activities, and help providers.

What might a health information manager do in a workday?

Registered Record Administrator (RRA):

  • interacts with medical, financial, and administrative staff to interpret data for patient care, research, statistical reporting, and planning.
  • protects the privacy of patients’ health information.

Accredited Record Technician (ART):

  • examines medical records for accuracy.
  • reports patient data for reimbursement.
  • creates disease registries for researchers.

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS):

  • assigns a code to each diagnosis and procedure found in a patient’s record.
  • reports codes to insurance companies to pay for a patient’s medical expenses.

How much does a health information manager earn?

  • $30,000 - $55,000

How do I become a health information manager?

Students interested in health information careers should take high school courses in business, computer science, physiology, math, biology, English, and chemistry.

Registered record administrators must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college program and pass a certification exam.

Accredited record technicians must complete an associate degree from an accredited college program or through the American Health Information Management Association’s Independent Study Program and by passing a credentialing exam. Certified coding specialists must have a high school diploma, on-the-job-training, a coding education from seminars or college classes, and pass a certification program.

Where else can I learn about becoming a health information manager?

Virginia Health Information Management Association
213 S. Jefferson Street, Suite 900 / Roanoke, VA 24011
tel:  (540) 224-6836 / web: www.vhima.org

American Health Information Management Association
233 N. Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor / Chicago, IL 60601-5809
tel:  (312) 233-1100 / web: www.ahima.org

The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists
218 E. Bearss Avenue #354 / Tampa, FL 33613
tel:  (888) 708-4707 / web: www.pahcs.org

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Health Information Managers:

What does a dental assistant do?

Dental assistants aid dentists with patient care. They work under the supervision of dentists and also may work with dental hygienists or dental laboratory technicians. Dental assistants usually work in private dental offices but also may work in public health clinics, dental schools, the armed forces and nursing homes.

What might a dental assistant do in a workday?

  • assisting the dentist during a variety of dental procedures.
  • helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
  • taking and developing film.
  • asking about the patient’s medical history.
  • preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment for the dentist’s use.
  • providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling).
  • teaching patients how to brush and floss properly.
  • performing office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer.
  • communicating with patients and suppliers of dental and related products.

How much does a dental assistant make?

  • $25,000 - $32,000

How do I become a dental assistant?

Students wishing to pursue a career in dental assisting should take challenging high school courses in science, math and English. Dental assistants receive their education and training through academic programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes or universities. Graduates of these programs receive certificates of completion. The length of the program varies with the school but is usually six to 12 months. Dental assistants can become certified by passing an examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board.

In Virginia, dental assistants are required to be certified in radiology before placing and exposing radiological pictures. Formal one- or two-year programs are offered for dental assistants. Training also may be available on the job.

Where else can I learn about becoming a dental assistant?

Virginia Dental Association
3460 Mayland Court, Suite 110 / Richmond, VA 23233
tel:  (804) 288-5750 / web: www.vadental.org

American Dental Assistants Association
35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1730 / Chicago, IL 60601-2211
tel:  (312) 541-1550 / web: www.dentalassistant.org

State Licensure Requirements for Dental Assistants:

A license is required to practice as a dental assistant in the state of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/dentistry.

Virginia Board of Dentistry
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA 23233-1463
tel:  (804) 367-4538 / Email: denbd@dhp.virginia.gov

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Dental Assistants:

What does a health services administrator do?

Health services administrators typically direct and coordinate the functions and staff activities at hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations. They oversee organizational strategy, financial planning, personnel administration, purchasing, public relations, contract negotiations and patient services.

What might a health services administrator do in a workday?

  • maintain and develop institutional standards, policies and procedures.
  • administer fiscal operations, such as budgeting and accounting.
  • plan and oversee marketing activities for services.
  • direct medical, nursing, allied health, technical, volunteer, clerical, service and/or maintenance departments and staffs.
  • oversee hiring and training.
  • develop or expand programs/services, such as research or rehabilitation.
  • serve as liaison to community and business leaders and the medical staff.
  • represent the organization at community events and meetings.

Developing a career as a Health Services Administrator:

In small organizations, health services administrators direct daily operations. In larger hospitals and health systems, they supervise others responsible for these functions.  Health services administrators may work in health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, health insurance companies, voluntary health agencies, clinics, medical practices, nursing homes and other specialized medical facilities.  Some health services administrators are physicians who have received additional training in administration; others have backgrounds in business or nursing.

How much does a health services administrator make?

  • $35,000 - $165,000

How do I become a health services administrator?

Students intending to pursue a career in health services administration should prepare by taking challenging high school courses in science, math, business and English, including advanced placement courses. A graduate degree in health or business administration and significant experience are preferred but not necessary.

Where else can I learn about becoming a health services administrator?

Virginia Community Health Care Associations
2112 W. Laburnum Avenue, Suite 206 / Richmond, VA 23227
tel:  (804) 353-9101 / web: www.vacommunityhealth.org

American Health Care Association
1201 L Street N.W. / Washington, DC 20005
tel:  (202) 842-4444 / web:  www.ahca.org

Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association
4200 Innslake Drive, Suite 203 / Glen Allen, VA 23060
tel:  (804) 965-1227 / web:  www.vhha.com

American Hospital Association
155 N. Wacker Drive / Chicago, IL 60606
tel:  (312) 422-3000 / web: www.aha.org

American Hospital Association
325 7th St., N.W. / Washington, DC 20004-2802
tel:  (202) 638-1100 / web: www.aha.org

American College of Healthcare Executives
1 N. Franklin, Suite 1700 / Chicago, IL 60606-3529
tel:  (312) 424-2800 / web: www.ache.org

Central Virginia Healthcare Executive Group
VCU Department of Health Administration
P.O. Box 980203 / Richmond, VA 23298-0203
tel:  (540) 998-0803 / web:
www.cvheg.org

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Health Services Administrators:

  1. Discover a career as a NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR
  2. Discover a career as a PHYSICIAN
  3. Discover a career as an INTERNIST
  4. Discover a career as a FAMILY PHYSICIAN