AIBU to consider retraining as a Dental Hygienist?!

[NellesVilla]

Posting for more traffic, thanks:-

Hello,

I’ve been interested in retraining as a Dental Hygienist for yonks, now, but am still none the wiser on how to go about it, in layman’s terms.

I’ve heard of 2 and 3 year degrees and diplomas, but would like the quickest route possible. I’m a mature student and a graduate in a non-related subject (art) and an ex-teacher, neither of which I wish to work in ever again. Does anyone know if I could do a 2 year training, please?

For full disclosure, I have no experience in this industry, and have mainly teaching, tutoring and plenty of care experience which may be better than nothing at all, when it comes to dealing with patients and showing I have experience with bodily functions and am not as squeamish as some (I am actually quite squeamish really, tbh!).

Financially, only a 2 year training would work for me, so I’d love to know if it were possible. I am a good student- love learning and studying- (and also family-free), so the commitment and level of study would not be an issue for me.

I am aware I may need more A-levels as well (science obviously), so would get to work on that ASAP, with hopes of applying for entry for late 2023 or 2024, if possible.

Thanks for reading, and for any advice, even realistic, sobering words!

@AnotherUnhappyHyg

Thanks for answering. I've been thinking about potentially retraining as a dental hygienist in the future; burnt out NHS nurse with rose tinted glasses that it would be a satisfying job and easier on my joints and back, but this thread has disproved that! I've always wondered why the dental hygienist jobs round here are advertised with the hourly rate rather than the salary, must be very stressful and annoying when people don't turn up!

Some are employed by Hospital/Community Trusts. They do have to be their own annual registration and indemnity though. CPD -majority of time is paid for by the employing Trust.

Ugh I had the exact same when my dad died, turned up late for his appointment and said “I’m not apologising seeing as you pissed me about at my last appointment”.

*have to pay their own

@unhappyhygienist
@AnotherUnhappyHyg

Wow, I also had rose tinted glasses that patients wouldn't be rude! That is awful that happened to you both!

To give a counter side to my ranting I will admit I had a lot of good years at a really lovely practice. If you can get lucky and work somewhere with a really nice boss and fantastic receptionists then you can deal with the few horrible patients as in most places the nice far outweigh the bad. But as with everything in life things change and I've never managed to find a place as nice as that again despite years of trying.

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/art-therapistart-psychotherapist

Not the same but have you considered training as a speech & language therapist? There is x huge shortage. It’s a 2 years masters if you have A relevant degree and you get a bursary. Google it in NHS careers.

You’re right, no dentist would ever consider working unchaperoned, yet they expect their hygienists to just suck it up and get on with it. When I raised the safety/med emergency aspect with my boss you know what he did? Bought me a whistle to signal for help. A fucking whistle.

The private ones charging £75 won't be. They're self employed and the practice will take a huge cut for admin/premises contribution etc, maybe the same 40% cut they take from s/e associate dentists. Then no holiday/sick pay/pension, etc. Not as lucrative/secure as it looks.

Mostly yes, as are most dentists too. Very few "PAYE" jobs for dentists and hygienists in practices. If you want PAYE then it's NHS hospital jobs.

Trust me the industry isn’t as well paying as people think. And the patients can be really abusive! And it is back breaking work!

Also people readily begrudge you earning more than tuppence an hour, it’s weird! I spend a fortune at my hairdressers, don’t begrudge paying as she does a brilliant job and I’m not naive enough to think every penny of that goes in to her pocket.

Had so many comments from patients of “you’re way too young to be earning £120 per hour”, yer I wish I was taking home 100% of the patient fee and am fully booked consistently every day. I’d never dream of questioning anyone’s salary but as the public have this perception of ‘greedy dentists’ it’s fair game. So many times I’ve recommended treatments and people accuse me of lying about their gum disease to fleece them out of money.

My husband and most of my friends earn way more than I do in various industries and nobody begrudges them their salaries.

Oh and people who get really annoyed at you for "not being NHS". I have had so many people rant at me that they shouldn't need to pay for this appointment etc. People don't seem to understand that hygienists CANNOT work directly for the NHS. We can only work for practices and how they choose to offer treatment/ pay us is entirely down to them. I have had a few people refuse to pay in the past because "no one told them it was private". Reception are meant to always inform people, they swear that they do, I cannot say for definite either way as I am not there with them but if someone doesn't pay I don't get paid. I get told to "claim it from the NHS" by patients. It doesn't work like that. I just cleaned their teeth for free as the practice doesn't care enough about people not paying to do anything about it. Thankfully I don't work in that place anymore.

@unhappyhygienist

Had so many comments from patients of “you’re way too young to be earning £120 per hour”, yer I wish I was taking home 100% of the patient fee and am fully booked consistently every day. I’d never dream of questioning anyone’s salary but as the public have this perception of ‘greedy dentists’ it’s fair game.

It's the same with everyone self employed unfortunately. General public don't understand they have costs to pay out of their "hourly rate", their own training, don't get sick/holiday pay, etc etc. You've just got to grow a thick skin. No point trying to explain as they can't get it through their thick skulls that an hourly rate paid to a self employed person is absolutely nothing like an hourly rate paid to an employee.

Hi @Krabapple , thanks for the suggestion- believe it or not, SALT training is also one I’m looking at casually. With my teaching and acting background I may be of interest to them! And yes, it is an excellent career option. Thanks again- will do more research 😊

I'm just lurking about here out of interest for a hygienists work etc - I go to my private practice hygienist 4 times a year, my gums were really bad before I did.

She has literally saved my teeth, I cannot thank her enough, yes it costs money, but she is worth EVERY penny. I don't set my watch at the appointment, I have no clue how long it takes, it takes as long or as short as it takes.

I cannot believe hygienists get such bad treatment when the work you are doing is so invaluable - I for one am truly grateful to you

That's so lovely, Furball! I hope I get patients like you if / when I go back!

I'm assuming an arts degree isn't relevant. My Ds has had speech therapy and still is and it's very interesting, although I can imagine it's very challenging with various ages and issues. Also makes you so self conscious as a parent, I'm trying to loose my South London drawl.

@Furball you are the kind of patient who makes it all worthwhile. I bet your hygienist’s face lights up when she sees your name in the diary

@unhappyhygienist - she does come in beaming! - we have alot of chit chat too, I really enjoy going. I owe her my smile - she literally has saved my teeth as I had no idea my gums were so shot. I'm glad then that we have that, if her working world is not as pleasant all the time.

Can I put a vote in for physiotherapy… Really varied work, many retrain as mature students in 2 or 3 years. You can go into private msk for more money. There are lots of nhs/locum/private work and it’s mainly 1:2:1 with the patient.

@MrsDoraDumble , hi, wonderful career and suggestion but surely it’d take longer than 2-3 years to train as a physio??

You can, fast track masters pre reg in 2 years if you have a degree that converts (some converted with chemistry degrees, business or other non medical forms no problem), or three years normal degree with a-levels. Worth exploring. Get some shadowing in and see what you think. I converted and have never looked back, love it.

Thanks, @MrsDoraDumble , am currently researching various options. Would you be happy to tell me which IMO you’d recommend, please? Am currently also looking a SLT apprenticeships and distance learning Optometry courses at Cardiff. So much to consider!