Career As A Dental Hygienist: Scope And Career Opportunities

The dental hygienist which is an established profession in western countries has recently reached the Indian market. Know more about a career as a dental hygienst.

By Sashikanth Sai

Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2018, 13:09 [IST]

Everyone knows that the dentistry is a lucrative profession; however, not all know about the ancillary careers that are rising in recent times. Dental hygienists, who are in huge demand in the recent years, deal with oral healthcare. This profession has earned popularity because many people have started giving importance to their body hygiene and oral health is part of it.

A dental hygienist, who provides oral care under supervision of a dentist, is going to capture the Indian market in the coming years. This profession is already a lucrative one in the western countries and has slowly started stretching its wings to other parts of the world. Let's explore everything about this profession.

Who Is A Dental Hygienist?

A dental hygienist is a professional related to oral healthcare who plays a key role in keeping the dental problems at bay. Aspirants who wish to take up this profession work along with dentists and give importance to the hygiene of the teeth and health.

Job Profile

A dental hygienist usually examines the mouth of a patient for signs of any disease and damage besides cleaning the teeth. They remove plaque in order to protect the teeth from bacteria proliferating. They also perform the tasks such as scaling, cleaning and whitening the teeth. A dental hygienist's job also involves counselling the patients on maintaining good oral health.

Career Prospects

This is typically a 9-5 job with zero work pressure and tension. A dental hygienist can find employment in private dental clinics or hospitals besides dental colleges. One can find jobs as a dental surgery assistant. They can look for openings in public health administration and can also take up a career in the sales and marketing of dental products.

Candidates with the diploma or certificate can work on a daily or hourly basis depending on their preference. Though a dental hygienist earns around 10-15K monthly as a fresher, one can reach the better positions within no time. As this is an established profession in the western countries, one can plan to go abroad to pursue their careers as well.

Course Details

Many dental colleges and institutions in India have been offering diplomas and certificates in dental hygienist well before it earned popularity, and the courses are recognised by the Dental Council of India (DCI). Students who have studied physics, chemistry and biology during their 10+2 are eligible to take up this course.

Top 5 Institutes Offering Courses In Dental Hygiene

1. Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bangalore
2. Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute, New Delhi
3. Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal
4. Government Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram
5. Patna Dental College and Hospital, Patna