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There are individuals in the healthcare profession who reach a crossroad where they wonder if they should become a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant. But how do you decide? You want to make an informed decision and to do that you want to understand the difference between the two positions.

Neither a nurse practitioner nor a physician assistant are doctors. But they are both mid-level healthcare professionals who take on some of the responsibilities of a doctor such as making diagnoses, creating treatment plans and writing prescriptions. In a healthcare system that is complex, multilayered and expensive, providers serving in these positions are often exactly who you need to see, making your personal care more cost-effective for you.

Although PAs and NPs may compete for the same positions, they build on different education and training. While you are a student, you’ll make a choice based on one of two healthcare philosophies and approaches.

An NP education is built upon more of a nursing tradition. More often than not it means you are interacting with patients as whole people, focusing on health and wellness. PAs, like doctors, approach your healthcare from a more reactive standpoint. You come in with a problem then are told your diagnosis and recommended treatment. Most of the time there is not a lot of conversation about anything else that’s going on in your life. Nevertheless, both provide excellent treatment; it’s more about what style of interaction you prefer.

What does a PA do?

As the title suggests, PAs help doctors, surgeons, and a variety of medical professions with multiple tasks that help hospitals and clinics function efficiently. Responsibilities include. . .

• Reviewing patient records.
• Conducting examinations.
• Providing treatment.
• Educating and counseling patients.

In some practices, you may have a choice of having your primary care provider be a medical doctor or a physician assistant. In others, a physician may be your primary doctor, but you’ll see a PA who updates your doctor as needed.

Characteristics of a PA

In addition to your medical skills, a successful PA must also possess certain characteristics.

Emotionally calm and stable – The emotional and busy work environment of a PA is stressful so remaining calm will help reduce any anxiety the patients may feel.

Detail oriented – Many PAs enter their own notes on a computer while they talk with patients. Records and treatment plans must be detailed so that upon any return visits, the medical history of a patient is on file.

Works well with minimal supervision – Much of a PA’s job is autonomous, so you must be able to take initiative and be confident in your skills.

Collaborative – You will be working with doctors, nurses, patients, patients’ families, surgeons, and medical professionals of all types. So you must be able to communicate effectively with a sense of partnership.

Compassionate – Each person’s problem is unique to them. So displaying compassion for their perspective and emotional state is crucial to the therapeutic relationship.

Problem-solving – As a PA you will be diagnosing and treating patients, which sometimes involves a little detective work. You must able to problem solve and do so quickly.

Listening – Genuine kindness comes across with patients and garners trust. This is one of the best soft skills you have in your toolbox for diagnosing and treating patients. Without trust, you may not get all the information you need to assess your patient’s situation correctly.

Physician assistant education

The educational path for a physician assistant does not take as long as becoming a medical doctor, but the journey is equally rigorous.
 
Step 1: Four-Year Science or Medical Degree
When enrolling in an undergraduate program, it is a good idea to major in a science. PA programs look favorably on degrees in the following areas:

• Biology.
• Chemistry.
• Nutrition.
• Psychology.
• Sociology.

Your grades are vital when applying to a PA program. Most accredited PA programs require a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Admissions committees will look closely at your transcript and expect to see sufficient pre-requisite courses they are necessary for you to be successful in a rigorous medical program. Your electives should include courses like:

• Organic Chemistry.
• Anatomy and Physiology.
• Physiology.
• General Biology with lab.
• Biochemistry.
• Microbiology.

Supportive courses that lead to critical and analytical thinking are:

• College Algebra or Statistics.
• Psychology.
• Developmental Psychology.
• Anthropology or Sociology.
• Medical Terminology.

Step 2: Enroll in a Physician Assistant Program
Most PA programs will take 2-3 years to complete. Before enrolling make sure the program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

In addition to the appropriate undergraduate courses, other admissions requirements may include:

• Some kind of previous medical experience. This can include patient care as a volunteer or as a paid healthcare professional.
• Shadowing a physician assistant.
• Demonstrating an interest in your community as a volunteer.
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores – prepare thoroughly for this exam by taking a review course.
• Admission essay.
• In-person interview.
• Letter(s) of recommendation from previous instructors or medical professionals.
• Life support certification – they may accept you earning this as a condition of full acceptance.
• Background check.
• Drug screening.

Initially your first year focuses on topics such as health, medication, anatomy, and the health care industry as a whole. You will also get a taste of clinical experience. Additional content could include pharmacology, pathology, and diagnosis techniques.

In your second year, the focus advances into more complex topics like general surgery, gynecology, and behavioral medicine.

One of the most convenient options for obtaining a PA degree, and eventually your license, is an online program. This allows you to work your program schedule around work and family obligations.

Licensing

Once you have your PA degree from an accredited program, you become eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, also called PANCE, which is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Upon passing, you can add the designation Physician Assistant-Certified, or “PA-C” for short.

It is always best to take the PANCE and pass it as soon as possible after graduation. But should you run into difficulties, the organization allows you six attempts to take it as long as you do so within six years of program completion. If you exhaust the total number of retakes, or six years passes, you lose your eligibility and have to re-establish it by completing another accredited PA program start to finish.

It doesn’t matter where you live in the United States. If you want to work legally as a PA you will have to acquire licensing. State requirements vary slightly, so check your region for any additional licensing criteria.
In addition to your license, state law also requires you to hold an agreement with a supervising physician. This agreement establishes a formal collaborate between the PA and the physician even if the physician doesn’t work on site.

Continuing education

Without exception, professionals working in a healthcare setting must engage in continuing education. This ensures you stay current on changes in medicine, diagnosis and treatment techniques, and medical technology. To maintain your certification, you must complete 100 credits every two years across different categories. You can stay updated on re-certification requirements by checking the NCCPA site. It is your responsibility to complete these credits promptly.

Physician assistant salary & job outlook

As you are considering a career as a physician assistant, you want to think about the return on your time and financial investment.

According to information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2018 physician assistants made a median income of $108,610 per year. But the best news for PAs is that through 2026 the excepted job growth is 36%, which is much faster than average. As a PA, you can make a very nice living and expect stability in your job.

A physician assistant has an opportunity to work in all kinds of disciplines. You may decide to focus on primary care, which is general in nature. Or you could specialize in psychiatry or geriatrics. The field is wide enough for you to spend your time in an area of medicine that interests you the most. However, each job, state and region has specific regulations, so the hours you work and the amount of physician oversight required will vary.

The food you eat affects every aspect of your life, but you might not realize just how much it affects them – particularly when it comes to your sleep quality.

Some foods contain ingredients that can help to improve the quality of your sleep while others will cause you problems. And sometimes, it’s the way that you eat it or when you eat it that causes the problems. Here’s some information on how you can change your diet to improve your sleep.

Foods that Help Improve Sleep Quality

Foods with Natural Tryptophan

Some foods, like turkey and dairy, have a lot of naturally occurring tryptophan, which breaks down into niacin and helps you to sleep, especially when you eat it with carbohydrates.

Foods with Natural Melatonin

Other foods, like bananas and rice, have naturally occurring melatonin which is what tells your body to relax and feel tired at night. You can take this over the counter, but if you work these into your evening meal or your late night snack, it can help your body to start producing it on its own.

CBD

CBD is a cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana. CBD is the non-psychotropic cannabinoid that helps with relaxation. You can ingest an oil, smoke it in vape form or use it topically to help yourself to relax before bed.

Foods that Cause Sleep Problems

Alcohol

Alcohol might help you fall asleep, but it’s known to cause problems for your sleep quality because it forces you to wake up to use the restroom more often. This prevents you from getting the REM sleep you need to properly feel rested.

Caffeine

Caffeine is great for waking you up, but it’s also good at keeping you up later than you planned. It gives you a burst of energy, but the jitters can last for up to 8 hours after you ingested it in the first place. This will keep you up later than you planned if you aren’t careful, no matter how comfortable your mattress is.

Spicy and Acidic Foods

If you eat foods that are spicy or acidic and you aren’t used to eating, this can lead to indigestion and heartburn that can keep you awake or make you wake up regularly through the night.

Food Habits that Cause Sleep Problems

Eating Late at Night

If you eat right before bed, you are much more likely to have indigestion, heartburn and have to get up and use the restroom at night. Try to schedule your last meal for three to four hours before you plan to go to bed

Drinking Too Much Water

The more you drink during the day, the more you’ll need to use the restroom. This continues during the night. The more often your sleep is disrupted, the less sleep you are going to get.

If you find yourself having regular trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor. There might be a medical issue underneath all of your sleep struggles. Even if there isn’t, your doctor can help you work through changing your sleep habits and working on your self care habits.  

by Holly Helscher, Ph.D.

When I was asked to give a product review for The Apprentice Doctor’s Suturing Course and Training kit, I readily agreed. As someone who provided oversight for nursing, surgical technology, medical assisting and veterinary technology programs, I was eager to see if the kit was something I could recommend for these kinds of programs. More importantly, since I primarily worked with under-resourced college students, discovering a way to maximize their time and limited resources while also improving their suturing skills was exciting.

In today’s world, most students have full time jobs and families. When adding a full-time college load to their obligations, they often struggle with competing obligations. Everything has to get done, but checking everything off a daily to-do list is almost unmanageable. On days when more time is needed for work or family, eliminating a homework assignment or lecture is often the choice. The reality of time management is there really is no more time. The time-pie is already cut into the thinnest possible slices.

Most students can read their textbooks and study their notes at home. But one thing they can’t do at home is practice their lab skills. Most college labs have set times when when they are open and staffed. When hours don’t coincide with students’ schedules, students lose premium individual attention and practice time. Having sufficient funds to cover transportation and additional childcare to return to campus outside of class is also challenging. For many it simply isn’t an option. They have to hope they can get by with what they learn during the lab time associated with the lectures. But without extra preparation, most students struggle gaining competency in suturing skills.

But by having a suturing kit at home, students can be home with their families, and still practice their skills; at their convenience. The Apprentice Doctor’s Suturing Course and Kit is a great solution to one of the gaps in students’ educational experiences.

Suturing kit efficacy for students

When I got the kit, I dropped everything I was doing and opened it. I was surprised at the compactness of the packaging, but upon lifting the lid I realized that the size of the package had little in common with how much was inside. I could see right away it had everything students needed to master suturing. It even has a suturing practice skin with pre-cut wounds.

One of the best parts of The Apprentice Doctor Suture Kit and Course is the ebook. It contains a lot of projects for practice that aren’t necessarily in any kind of medical curriculum. It presents different types of challenges that you’d see on the job. The practice skills allow students to do the projects multiple times until they feel confident.

One of the best parts of The Apprentice Doctor Suture Kit and Course is the ebook. It contains a lot of projects for practice that aren’t necessarily in any kind of medical curriculum. It presents different types of challenges that you’d see on the job. The practice skills allow students to do the projects multiple times until they feel confident.

After reviewing the book and projects, I was convinced students would have plenty of creative projects to work with. Each case is clearly laid out with suturing solutions demonstrated through pictures, videos and text. All necessary tools are in the kit, allowing students to practice at their convenience. I believe a student who consistently practices with one of these kits will undoubtedly demonstrate better skills and more confidence than their counterparts. I wish all medical programs could offer such a kit to each student as part of their curriculum.

There is a lot to like about The Apprentice Doctor’s Suturing Course and Kit. In general, I give it 4.5 stars our of 5, broken down in four general categories.

Effectiveness ( 5 stars)	Price (4 stars)	Ease of Use (5 stars)	Support (4 stars)
Plenty of projects to practice your skills. Immediate access to course upon payment.	Not the cheapest, but comes with a robust online course	Online book is well organized and clear. Kit is complete.	Reasonably prompt responses. FB support group. Twitter videos.

Specifically here is what I like about the kit.

What I like	What I don’t like
Variety of tools	It is the most expensive; however, there is a compact set that is less expensive.
Online projects to enable proficiency.	Doesn’t have the variety of suture thread sizes or number of sachets other kits have.
Videos are included that demonstrate each technique in a step-by-step format so you can see each move.
Students learn all the basic surgical knots and all 12 basic suturing techniques.
Includes assessment module with qualified medical professionals as examiners and measurable outcomes so students can measure their skill levels.
Posts suturing how-to videos on Twitter.
Facebook support page.
Opportunities for medical camps.
Internationally accredited.
Amazon’s Choice.

What can students learn?

This product is ideal for aspiring healthcare students where suturing is a part of their curriculum, or will be a part of their professional employment. Suturing itself is an art and requires dexterity and precision. The more students can practice the better they’ll be. If they have confidence in their ability to suture, when it comes time to interview for a job, they’ll be able to indicate that their skills are exceptional.

Medical and paramedic students will also find this kit useful. The various projects insert students into situations they are likely to encounter.

In addition to learning how to tie surgical knots, and how and when to place various sutures, students will also learn:

• How to remove sutures (the correct technique).
• How to correctly line up wound margins.
• How to evert a wound’s edges when suturing and why that’s important.
• How to correct the “dog’s ear” suturing defect.
• How to avoid ugly scars.
• The best way to professionally care for wounds.
• The correct techniques for holding your suturing instruments.
• How to treat wounds aseptically to minimize the chance of infection.
• The complications of suturing and how to prevent them.
• Real world suturing case studies

The student’s solution

Students can gain in competency in the comfort of their own home by buying The Apprentice Suture and OnLine Training Program. Its contents provides suturing tools and materials students are apt to run across in school or in employment situations.

Watch a student unpack the kit so you can see all the items inside. It comes with a CD course that can also be accessed on line. Being able to see how different sutures are done and then practice them with specific projects can give students an edge in school and on the job.

Watch a case study

Take a look at students working through projects.

What others are saying

Verified buyer’s on Amazon have said the following about The Apprentice Doctor’s suturing kit.

I am Medical Director and Associate Professor for a PA program and purchased this kit to trial for PA education. The CD is very informative and well thought out. The kit has enough instruments and materials to allow for more than adequate practice. The fake skin could be improved but is adequate and we tend to teach on either chicken thighs or pigs’ feet anyway. We will be looking to buy enough kits to outfit our student cohort. The price point for this kit is excellent as we priced several others which were a $100 more. Highly recommended as a great value. – Emilio Vazquez

This kit is the perfect learning tool, with all the instruments needed and the tutorial along with it! I love the fact that this kit made it so easy to learn this life-saving technique quickly and accurately! Thank you for putting together such a fantastic training kit for suturing!!! I would recommend this kit to everyone needing to know how to suture, because you never know when you’re going to need this invaluable skill! – C. Jones

I bought this for my daughter as a birthday gift and she LOVED it. She loved all the tools and that the kit is the same supplies used in the OR. – Crystal Bulloch

On TrustSpot, The Apprentice Doctor earned a 4.7/5 stars in 342 reviews. Reviews ranged from excellence in service to quality kits.

What are the alternative suturing kits?

There are other suturing kits available on the market, all of which are less expensive. However, only two others that I looked at provide some kind of ebook. Those that offer more pieces tend to count how many packets of threads are offered. So take care when shopping solely for the most “number of pieces” for a low price. The number of pieces doesn’t necessarily mean the kit has more instruments. They may only be providing extra packets of thread.

There is one suture kit made by Nish that is the least expensive and may be tempting to buy. However, the kit caters to dental students, so would not be the best purchase for a medical or nursing student.

The Apprentice Doctor Suturing Kit and Training Course has a 30-day free return policy in addition to a 100% money-back guarantee on all unopened kits. They will even provide a 50% refund on returned used kits. The Apprentice Doctor® was also nominated as one of the “Top 10 Healthcare Simulation Solution Providers in 2018” by Healthcare Tech Outlook Magazine. The course is also internationally accredited by the International Association for Distance Learning (IADL).

The Apprentice Doctor’s Suturing Course and Training Kit is designed to assist prospective medical and healthcare professionals to become proficient in suturing and learning the basic principles of wound care. Over 50,000 students have been trained using the methods provided in the course by Dr. Anton Scheepers who’s actively worked as a facial reconstructive surgeon for over 25 years.

“You have great teeth like your grandpa,” my mother said to me one day after one of my visits to the pediatric dentist. “But your sister is another story.”

Back then I didn’t overthink what she said. I was only eleven, and all I wanted to hear after going to the dentist was, “No cavities.” And that’s all I ever heard until I was in mid-twenties when I had my first cavity. Now I’m over sixty, and I don’t think I’ve had more than four cavities in total; no root canals or any other horror I always imagined could happen to my teeth. My grandfather was the same, although he probably didn’t have quite the same imagination. On the other hand, my sister has had more cavities than I can count.

That got me to wondering if we can inherit bad teeth from our families. My sister and I are different in coloring, bone structure and a lot of other things. So it might not be so far fetched to believe some genetic marker gave her problematic teeth and spared me.

To answer my own question, I did a little research on what elements of oral health are heredity and which are due to how I care for my teeth. It’s a different type of nature versus nurture.

Four Inherited Reasons for Problematic Teeth

Facial structure

Along with specific physical characteristics like hair and eye color, the shape of your teeth and the structure of your jaw are hereditary. These two facial structures can create teeth that are overcrowded or misshaped. Without orthodontic correction, it can be hard to reach some surfaces of your teeth with your toothbrush. So while you may take great care of your teeth, you may have the potential for more cavities.

Enamel thickness

Enamel covers the crown, which is the part of the tooth above the gum. Its purpose is to protect your teeth from decay. Genetics play a role in its thickness and strength. If the enamel is thin, your teeth will be more prone to cavities and other oral health problems.

Taste preferences

It may be difficult to believe, but genetics play a part in your tastebuds. You may love bananas, but your mother may think they taste like cough syrup. Genetics can determine that. A difference like that may not cross your path too much, but when people say they have a sweet tooth, it may have a basis in genetics. Individuals who gravitate toward sugary foods will increase their chances of developing cavities.

Oral cancer

Many factors contribute to the development of oral cancer, but evidence suggests genetics can play a role.

But can you blame all your oral health on your genes? No.

Even with these factors, you may not want to send your parents your dental bills just yet. Also if your teeth have been influenced by genetics, good oral health care can minimize any developing risk.

According to the American Dental Association, “Many common diseases are not inherited as a single gene defect but instead result from gene-environment interactions.” More simply stated, your dental hygiene, your environment, your habits and other factors can also help or hurt your oral health.

Four environmental causes

In addition to genetic factors, the environment also contributes to your oral health.

Attrition – When you clench or grind your teeth, which is often involuntary during sleep, this causes enamel erosion making your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay.

Abrasion – When you brush your teeth too hard, don’t floss correctly or bite your fingernails, pens or other hard surfaces, you can wear away your enamel, increasing your risk of decay.

Abfraction – Flexing or bending a tooth can result in stress fractions, which are slight cracks in your teeth. Bacteria can enter these cracks and brushing, or flossing can reach inside.

Corrosion – This condition occurs when acidic food or liquid hits the tooth’s surface. Certain medications, vitamins, and food are highly acidic and can wear down tooth enamel. Frequent vomiting from bulimia and even alcoholism can also contribute to corrosion.

Three signs of enamel erosion

If you are concerned about enamel erosion, watch for the following symptoms.

Sensitivity – In the early stages of enamel decay, some foods, especially sweets, and extreme temperatures may cause twinges of pain in your teeth. In later stages of erosion, this sensitive will become extreme and at times make you jump or take a sharp inhale of breath.

Discoloration – When enamel erodes, more dentin (the layer of the tooth beneath the enamel) is exposed. As a result, teeth may yellow.

Cracks and chips – You can generally feel cracks and chips in your teeth with your tongue. When enamel wears away, the edges of your teeth become aren’t smooth Cupping, which are indentations on the surface of the teeth, can also occur.

A dozen ways to nurture your teeth

Most of us know the basics of oral hygiene. But as a reminder, here are some things you can do to minimize tooth decay and gum disease.

1. Eliminate highly acidic foods and drinks – Carbonated sodas and citrus fruits and juices are acidic. After ingesting any of these, rinse your mouth with clear water. Using a straw when you drink acidic drinks pushes the beverage to the back of your mouth, mostly bypassing your teeth. Sports drinks are also high in acid which will eat away tooth enamel. They can also trigger acid reflux, which drives acid back into the mouth and onto the teeth.
2. Monitor snacks – When you snack throughout the day, you increase your risk of tooth decay, especially if those snacks of high in sugar and starches. It’s best to rinse your mouth and brush teeth after snacking or having a full meal.
3. Chew sugar-free gum – Chewing sugar-free gum between meals boosts saliva production which helps strengthen teeth with essential minerals.
4. Drink more water – As a general health advantage, drinking water is a good idea. But if you have low saliva volume or dry mouth, drinking more water can help increase your production of saliva, which helps your teeth.
5. Teeth as tools – When opening boxes, packages, or breaking strings, etc., use a proper tool like scissors or box cutters. Leave your teeth for chewing.
6. Grinding Your Teeth – If you grind your teeth, you will probably experience bone loss over time. Your dentist will normally check this during your cleaning appointments. If you grind your teeth at night, special mouthguards can be prescribed by your dentist to wear at night to prevent tooth and gum damage.
7. Oral Piercings – Although popular, tongue and lip piercings can harbor bacteria and may also wound the inside of your mouth. Piercings near the gumline could erode the gums or even nearby tooth enamel which protect nerve exposure. Piercings can also chip your teeth. Before getting a mouth piercing, talk to your dentist about the oral healthcare risks.
8. Mouthguards – Avoid broken, chipped and loss of teeth by protecting your teeth with a mouthguard if you are involved in contact sports.
9. Teeth whitening – Teeth whiteners, and whitening procedures are popular these days. But if you experience gum and tooth sensitivity, discuss your options with your dentist.
10. Flossing – If you’ve been to even one dental cleaning, you know flossing can improve your overall oral hygiene by minimizing plaque in your mouth, a sticky substance that can find every crack and crevice in your teeth. When it remains, bacteria develops causing tooth decay and other dental conditions. This is a hard habit to improve, but one of the most straightforward prevention measures available.
11. The right toothpaste – Using a fluoride toothpaste can strengthen teeth. But using a toothpaste that is too abrasive can weaken them. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ranks the abrasiveness of toothpastes. Anything above 100 is they have determined as harsh. A rank of 200 is highly abrasive, and any toothpaste above 200 is one to avoid. Consult a comprehensive list.
12. Sealants – Sealants may help prevent enamel erosion and minimize tooth decay. Ask your dentist if you are a good candidate for this treatment.

Even if genetics play a role in how strong, or weak your teeth are, your daily choices about oral hygiene will go a long way to keeping your mouth and teeth healthy. In addition to brushing and flossing, if you follow other prevention measures, you can be confident you’re doing the best you can to keep your teeth in great shape for life.

If you’re interested in helping people care for their teeth, learn about becoming a dental hygienist, dental assistant or dental technician.

Dental technicians, also known as dental laboratory technicians are individuals trained to manufacture dental prosthetics like bridges, crowns, and dentures. Dental technicians have no face-to-face contact with dental patients. They follow a dentist’s written and verbal directives for a patient much like a pharmacist follows a doctor’s prescription when filling a medication.

Areas of responsibility

Although a dental technician rarely, if ever meets patients personally, they have a high degree of responsibility for patient care. Whatever they manufacture for the dentist has to fit correctly and conform precisely to a patient’s teeth, mouth, gums, etc.

Dental technicians will generally:

• Construct full and partial dentures.
• Fabricate:
  • Accurate models from dentist’s impressions.
  • Ceramic crowns using specific techniques.
  • Fix dental prostheses.
  • Restore implants.
  • Porcelain veneers for crowns.
• Maintain dental laboratory records.
• Prepare reports on laboratory activities.
• Trim and pour denture models.

Soft skills to be successful

As with all professions, dental technicians must possess certain soft skills and personal characteristics. Employers will look for them in a hiring interview because they know the more of these you have, the more successful you will be.

• Attention to Detail – You are working from a prescription for a specific patient and must follow it exactly.
• Critical thinking skills – Everyday won’t be perfect. You will encounter problems and must be able to evaluate solutions and pick the best one.
• Interpersonal skills – In some cases you are working in a team environment and must get along with other people.
• Listening skills – Most medical professionals must be able to listen to what is said, and what isn’t mentioned. A dental lab technician is no different.
• Manual Dexterity – In this job you are working with your hands since you are, technically, building items for patient use.
• Reading Comprehension – You will be working from written documents, so must be able to understand what they mean.
• Time Management Skills – Items needed for dental patients must be delivered on time.

Dental technician educational paths

Most employers provide on-the-job training for dental technicians. You can also get formal instruction at some community colleges and technical schools. But beyond on-the-job training, there are additional levels of education.

Certificates

There are two types of dental laboratory technology certificates. Certificates are not considered “academic” because those programs do not contain general education courses. But you are in school for less time and can enter the job market quickly.

The curriculum for the first type of certification focuses exclusively on your technical and applied course work. It will prepare you to take the Certified Dental Technician (CDT) exam.

The second certificate is more introductory in nature and is a good place to start if you are exploring the field but aren’t sure if it’s the right one for you. It’s also a reasonable choice if you plan on acquiring employment that offers on-the-job training. The downside is that it does not prepare you to take the CDT exam.

If you are still in high school and are interested in this profession, it is a good idea to take courses in computers, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry.

Coursework for certificates may include:

• Dental materials.
• Fixed prosthodontics.
• Full dentures and partial dentures.
• Introduction to dental technology.
• Occlusion (how the upper and lower teeth come in contact with each other).

Some of these courses may transfer into an associate degree program.

Associate degree

An associate degree in dental lab technology is an academic degree and will have general education courses that may include English, sociology, psychology, math, etc. Concentration courses will be specific to dental technology and will provide information on:

• Dental anatomy and physiology.
• Ethics.
• History of dentistry.
• Techniques for dentures.

In addition to foundational subjects, an associate degree program generally covers five specialties: ceramics, crowns and bridges, partial/complete dentures and orthodontic appliances. Sometimes, toward the end of the program, you may be permitted to enroll in elective courses to complete a specialization. In that instance, an associate degree may be conferred along with a specialization certificate. Specialization courses that could lead to an additional certification could be:

• Dental ceramics.
• Crafting removable prosthodontics.
• Making crowns and bridges.
• Orthodontic appliances for children.
• Orthodontic prosthetics materials.

Associate degree programs take anywhere from 18-24 months to complete.

Bachelor’s degree

Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in dental laboratory sciences is another possible path to follow. If you have an associate degree, it’s possible you can enter with advanced standing, which means you may be able to transfer in courses you’ve already taken.

The curriculum in a bachelor program is intensive. It is cumulative in that it starts with fundamental and foundational courses that build upon each other. They become increasingly complex, culminating in highly specialized knowledge and skills.

If you go directly into a bachelor’s degree program, you will need a high school degree. Some schools may require standardized test scores such as the ACT or SAT. Occasionally a background check is required.

Courses are offered in subjects such as:

• Advanced fixed prosthodontics.
• Applied laboratory management.
• Ceramics.
• Complete dentures.
• Dental materials science.
• Orthodontic laboratory.

Dental technician specialty areas

As a dental technician, you can work as a generalist where you will work in a wide variety of dental areas. Or you can choose to specialize. Specializations are:

• Prosthodontics technicians – Design and make dentures.
• Orthodontic technicians – Design and make braces.
• Conservation technicians – Focuses on crown and bridge work.
• Maxillo-facial technicians – Help in reconstructing faces which have undergone trauma.

Licensing and certification

Certification is possible, although voluntary. However, certification may make you a more desirable job candidate. The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology is the independent board founded by the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) and offers the Certified Dental Technician credential (CDT). To earn this certification, you will have to take a three-part exam that demonstrates your knowledge and skills. Two sections are written, and one is practical. You may sit for the sections in any order, but all must be passed within four years from the date you pass your first section.

Continuing education

An advanced certificate in dental laboratory sciences is also available to help update and maintain your professional proficiency. Talking continuing education classes consistently throughout your career will keep you current with advances in dental medicine and enhance your value as an employee.

Job outlook for dental technicians

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2017, dental technicians earn a median annual salary of $37,670, or $18.59 per hour. Most work is full time in small laboratories. Between now and 2026, the occupation is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations.

If you are interested in dental medicine but prefer to work behind the scenes, becoming a dental technician may be a good fit for you. But if you like more interaction with patients, you may be more interested in becoming a dental assistant or a dental hygienist.

A dental hygienist is a career move one step beyond a dental assistant and works directly with patients. A dental assistant is a basic entry-level position and doesn’t work directly with patients. If you’ve ever gone to the dentist, you probably spent more time with a dental hygienist than you did with the dentist. A hygienist is the person who cleans your teeth, talks to you about oral care and, undoubtedly, reminds you, yet again, about the importance of flossing.

For any number of reasons, lots of people are afraid of the dentist. Some get their teeth cleaned twice a year regardless of their fear. Others are so scared that they never go.

One of our colleagues recently had her teeth cleaned and talked to her dental hygienist, Tabitha, about the fear people had of dentists. She said, “Older patients are more afraid than younger ones. As dental care, and tools, improve, people don’t have as traumatic experiences growing up, so their perception of dentists and hygienists is much different.”

Even if patients are completely unafraid, good hygienists empathize with them and take great care to be gentle and supportive while still doing their job. Although everyone appreciates the knowledge and capabilities of dentists, it’s the front line people who spend the most time with patients.

Do you think you’d like to be a dental hygienist? Not only is it an excellent entry-level position, it also has an education and career path that most people can insert into their daily lives.

Definition

Dental hygienists work alongside dentists, orthodontists and other professionals in the field of dentistry. During training, you’ll learn to use the tools needed to clean and polish teeth. Depending upon where you work, you may use more traditional tools like scrapers. But in highly technical offices you may use ultrasonic, power and laser devices.

Typical duties

Working cooperatively with and under the supervision of a dentist, a significant portion of your day will be spent cleaning and polishing patients’ teeth and educating them about oral health care. In smaller offices, you may also take and develop X-rays, update medical histories and document a patient’s treatment along with any new and ongoing issues. Most offices now enter data directly into a computer while interacting with the patient, so having a high degree of comfort working with technology is vital to your success.

Characteristics

As a dental hygienist, you must possess compassion, patience, and understanding. You also need the following characteristics. . .

• Attention to detail.
• Critical thinking.
• Highly motivated and dependable.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Leadership potential.
• Listening Skills.
• Manual Dexterity.
• Outstanding telephone and customer service etiquette skills.
• Persuasive.
• Reading comprehension.
• Strong communication, organization skills, and customer follow up.
• Time management.
• Work ethic.

Training/education

To become a dental hygienist you will need an associate degree. Within the program, you’ll learn quite a bit about patient care. You will be able to enhance your critical thinking, and problem-solving skills which are essential when providing direct patient care since some of your work will be independent of the dentist. Your program will combine laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction.

Earning a dental hygienist associate’s degree will prepare you to work with patients from various backgrounds and teach you how to interact with different healthcare professionals.

In addition to dental and science courses, you’ll also encounter liberal arts courses. Classes such as English composition and public speaking will give you a well-rounded experience and prepare you for the working world.

To enter a dental hygiene associate’s degree program, students are usually required to complete a certain number of prerequisite courses with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. The topics can range from science to communications.

• Anatomy and physiology
• Dental anatomy
• Head and neck anatomy
• Introduction to dental hygiene
• Medical ethics
• Microbiology and immunology
• Nutrition
• Pathology
• Patient/pain management
• Periodontics
• Pharmacology for dental health
• Radiology

If you have an associate’s degree, or even a certificate, and want to advance your career in both opportunities and wages, you can enroll in a degree-completion program. Such a program allows for a hygienist, with about two additional years of education to obtain a baccalaureate degree. To be accepted, you must have a license to practice and possess a minimum 2.5 grade point average in your previous degree program.

Many programs are offered online or in a hybrid format to cater to those hygienists who are already working in the field. This type of curriculum delivery allows you to study and take exams when it is most convenient for you. Many of these programs are considered post-licensure which means you won’t be required to fulfill clinical requirements. A curriculum focused on leadership skills will familiarize you with evidence-based practice and public health dentistry.

Licenses/certifications/registrations

Once you are a graduate of an accredited dental hygienist program, you must take a licensure exam. Each state has slightly different requirements, so contact your state dental board to find out what your state requires. It’s likely you’ll need to be CPR-certified and undergo a background check. As with most medical professionals, you will have to participate in continuing education courses throughout your career. Such courses keep you updated in new methods of dental hygiene, new technology, and further evidence of how good oral health contributes to good overall bodily health.

Alternative careers for dental hygienists

If you enjoy working in the field of dental medicine, but don’t want to work as a hygienist, there are other careers you can pursue with a graduate degree. With additional education, you can work in one of three primary areas

Corporate

• Corporate trainer.
• Dental insurance officer.
• Dental office manager.
• Hospital or nursing home consultant.
• Sales in pharmaceuticals or dental supplies.

Education

• Classroom or clinical instructor.
• Dean of a dental or medical education program.
• Dental hygiene program director.
• Education researcher.

Public Health

• Community clinic administrator.
• Local/state dental public health officer.

All of these career alternatives require a master’s, or graduate degree program which can take between one and two years to complete. In addition to coursework, you may have to do a capstone demonstrating your mastery of concepts and applications you learned throughout your program. You may also have to do additional research in a specific area of dental hygiene that most closely relates to your interest.
If you choose to continue your education, you can apply to a masters-level dental hygiene program. Minimum requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene or related field.
• 3.0 or higher grade point average.
• Current, unencumbered dental hygiene license.
• College transcripts.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Scores from the graduate record exam.

Some schools require personal essays, statement of interest, and even your professional resume to be submitted along with your application for admission.

If your interest in dentistry is high enough, you may choose to become a dentist. You will be in school in a minimum of eight years.

Wages and job outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2017, the estimated job growth for dental hygienists between 2016 and 2026 is 20%, which is much faster than the national average. The median annual salary is $74,070, which breaks down to $35.61 an hour.

As the population ages, the demand for dental services will increase, especially as research continues to link oral health to overall health.