Hygiene Tribune U.S. Edition

HYGIENE TRIBUNE The World’s Dental Hygiene Newspaper ·U.S. Edition OCTOBER 2013 — Vol. 6, No. 7 www.dental-tribune.com According to the dental job board www.dentalcrossing.com, job opportu- nities for dental hygienists are “pick- ing up greatly.” The website in Septem- ber reported 445 dental hygienists job postings awaiting successful applicants in markets across the United States. Of those opportunities, 303 had been add- ed during the week immediately pre- ceding release of the statistics. In a news release with statistics and analysis covering all dental jobs, DentalCrosing reported that the dental hygienist job listings confirm the on- going need for hygienists that has led to the opening of many new dental hy- giene schools in various regions of the United States since 2007. In the release, DentalCrosing also referenced that 80 percent of dental hygienists participating in a 2013 RDH eVillage job benefits survey stated that the new schools were contributing to creating a surplus of dental hygienists, with not all hygienists looking for work being able to find jobs. DentalCrosing reported that the sur- plus in certain markets is likely working to the advantage of recruiters who are requiring full-time dental hygienists to work on holidays or who are hiring hy- gienists to work on only a part-time shift basis. About 1,280 of the 2,111 hygienists participating in the survey reported that they worked full time and worked on many national holidays. Full-time opportunities, according to 80 percent of those surveyed, were hard to come by. The DentalCrossing news release re- ported that the dental hygienist job ben- efits survey identified that employers prefer hiring multiple part-time hygien- ists to avoid paying benefits, leading at least one respondent to question why the position of dental hygienist appears on top-10-jobs rankings. DentalCrossing reported that accord- ing to the Bureau of Labor Statistics “Oc- cupational Outlook Handbook: 2012-13 Edition for Dentists,” employment in all areas of the dental profession is expect- ed to grow by 21 percent from 2010 to 2020. This is speedier than the average for all occupations. The latest job-search data from www. dentalcrossing.com is in line with that growth projection. The website reported 6,390 active dental jobs in the United States that needed to be filled, suggest- ing that dental work opportunities are abundent in many regions across the country. Dentists have become an im- portant part of the lives of teens, tweens and the elderly, and demand for dental services is growing. Growing public awareness of studies linking oral health to overall health is supporting the increase in new dental jobs, according to DentalCrossing CEO Harrison Barnes. A preview of this is presented on www.dentalcrossing.com. It’s not just dentists and hygienists in demand. More than 2,040 dental assis- tant jobs were posted, including 88 in Texas, 272 in California, 150 in Tennes- see, 228 in Pennsylvania and 218 in Ohio. About DentalCrossing DentalCrossing is part of the Employ- ment Research Institute, which is one of the most powerful and comprehen- sive organizations dedicated to helping professionals find jobs that will enhance their careers. Employment Research In- stitute covers more than 120 industry- specific and 120 location-specific job boards. The service aggregates every job opening it can find into one central lo- cation. The website also offers a seventy two-hour free trial to new members. (Source: DentalCrossing) Job openings increasing for most dental workers, including hygienists (sort of) ” See JOURNEY, page C2 Crest Oral-B Pros in the Profession Winners from the program's second year: Kasha Lower, RDH, from left, Olga Torres, RDH, Donna Caminiti, RDH, Hayley Wood Klauer, RDH, Kareen Wilson, RDH, and Julie Kroeker, RDH. Photo/Provided by Crest Oral-B By: Kareen Wilson, RDH We all live to be an inspira- tiontoothers.At my alma mater, LomaLindaUni- versity, there is a statue in front of the dental school that car- ries the inscrip- tion, “To make man whole.” That statue and inscription was there to remind us that it is our duty to in- spire and make our patients whole. It can be your children, spouse, loved one or peo- ple around you that you want to influence and change their life for the better. As a hygienist, I know that I inspire my patients to live healthy and happy lives. Through clinical education, I make sure that my patients have all the knowledge to create their happiness through a beautiful and healthy smile. I also strive to use my physical skills to bring joy and relief from discomfortbyimprovingtheiroralhealth. Lori Bernardo, RDH Photo/Provided by Crest Oral-B My journey as a dental hygienist Industry commentary