One letter writer is considering a new career because her new home state doesn’t have board exam reciprocity. Another has not had good experiences working with dentists and wonders how to get into working for an insurance company.
Check out the answers below.
Dear Flossy,
I am a registered dental hygienist working in the state of Texas. My husband and I are relocating to the sunny state of Florida. My concern is that I will have to take several new board exams since they are not a state with reciprocity. I am ready to experience something new for the second half of my career.
I have been a hygienist for over 13 years and I love my job! I am interested in what I can do outside of the clinical aspects of hygiene. I feel this is a perfect opportunity for me to look at new adventures in my career where I can use my experience and knowledge in dental hygiene to benefit others while still earning an income.
Do you have any suggestions? I will be living in Fort Lauderdale Florida in two months. I’m anxious to get settled and start my new life!
Thank you for any advice you can offer.
There are a number of venues in which a dental hygienist may work. You may want to consider embarking on a career in public health, perhaps in an administrative role. Alternatively, depending on the type of credentials you hold, you may want to work in a dental hygiene program as a clinical or didactic instructor. Another option is to work for a corporate entity in sales or as a clinical educator. For more specific information in the state of Florida, I suggest you contact the Florida Dental Hygiene Association. There is further contact information on the website.
Regarding education, per the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs, here are the requirements, verbatim:
“The program administrator must be a dental hygienist who is a graduate of a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and possesses a masters or higher degree or is currently enrolled in a masters or higher degree program or a dentist who has background in education and the professional experience necessary to understand and fulfill the program goals.”
“The full time faculty of a dental hygiene program must possess a baccalaureate or higher degree.”
“Part-time faculty providing didactic instruction must have earned at least a baccalaureate degree or be currently enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program.”
“All dental hygiene program faculty members must have:
a) current knowledge of the specific subjects they are teaching.
b) documented background in current educational methodology concepts consistent with teaching assignments.
c) Faculty who are dental hygienists must be graduates of dental hygiene programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.”
As well, you may want to join us at RDH UOR on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room National Harbor 2&3. The workshop is entitled RDH Under One Roof Special Session: Evolve your Dental Hygiene Career. We invite you to discover how to develop yourself and your career within the dental hygiene industry by reigniting your passion by finding a new exciting path, which it seems you are researching. With the assistance of the RDH Under One Roof advisory committee, a program of mentorship has been tailored to give you the support and skills enhancement to discover what the future holds for you.
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