Going From Dental Assistant to Dental Hygienist: What You Must Know
Discover what you need to know about transitioning to a job as a dental hygienist, including job duties, education requirements, salary potential, and more.
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How much does an RN make in Tennessee?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses in the state of Tennessee earn an average salary of $66,680 per year ($36.24 per hour). Pay can vary based on several factors, including education, experience and place of employment.*
A Herzing Education Offers Veterans a Path to Career Progression
Carey Martell is a licensed practical nurse in the Navy Reserve and plans to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Herzing University. As part of a recent feature in Reserve + National Guard Magazine, Martell and others from Herzing heralded the importance of adding academic credentials to your existing military experience.
How can I become a Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA)?
You will need to first earn a diploma or associate degree in dental assisting in order to eventually become a Licensed Dental Assistant in the state of Minnesota.
Our Certificate of Completion in Dental Radiology is designed to qualify you to deliver x-ray and other radiological services in a dental office, but it does not equip you with the skills and knowledge to practice as an LDA.
If you’re considering advancing your career as a dental assistant, keep in mind dental assistants earn a higher salary in Minnesota than any other state, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In Minnesota, dental assistants earn an average salary of $47,350 per year ($22.77 per hour).*
How will the weekend laboratory experience work?
You will complete a total of 15 laboratory hours over one weekend (Saturday and Sunday) at our campus near Minneapolis. Your time in labs will cover these topics:
- Radiology Equipment
- Normal Anatomy
- Exposure Techniques
- Radiation Production
- Radiation Biology
- Radiation Protection and Safety
- Infection Control
- Digital Imaging
- Image Interpretation and Evaluation
The majority of the didactic coursework will have taken place prior to the laboratory session. It is important that you come to the laboratory session understanding content previously covered in the didactic portion of the course. Laboratory session dates will be provided by the instructor during week 1 of the course.
What can an unlicensed dental assistant do in Minnesota?
Unlicensed dental assistants are allowed to perform certain duties as stipulated by Minnesota Legislature regulations. These duties include:
- Retracting a patient’s cheek, tongue, or other parts of tissue during a procedure
- Assist with placement or removal of devices as directed by the dentist or dental therapist
- Remove debris or water during treatment using suction devices
- Assisting in placing articles and topical medication in a patient’s oral cavity under supervision of a dentist or dental therapist
In January 2022, the Minnesota Board of Dentistry approved unlicensed dental assistants to perform radiological services after meeting certain requirements, including completing a board approved course in dental radiology.
Will I be eligible to become DANB certified (RHS)?
There are no eligibility requirements to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. However, completing our dental radiology course can assist you in preparing for the RHS exam.
Our course includes an RHS readiness exam as part of the curriculum and will put you in much better position to pass the exam on your first attempt.
Can I work while enrolled in the MSN Direct Entry program?
We recommend that you keep work to a minimum during the program given the required synchronous sessions and overall volume of work needed for success.