Continuing education in dental hygiene is important for maintaining professional skills and knowledge of new techniques and practices. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and professional association, but are often necessary for license renewal and membership. Dental hygienists should ensure courses are approved and consult with their employer for specific training needs.
The purpose of continuing education in dental hygiene is to ensure that hygienists have a thorough understanding of the latest dental hygiene standards and practices and maintain their professional skills. Many governments require completion of continuing education classes in dental hygiene as a condition of renewing a dental hygienist license. Even though the hygienist practices in a location where continuing education is not required to maintain a license, many professional associations require members to complete continuing education classes as a condition of membership.
Dental hygienists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of teeth and gums. Dental health is important not only for the sake of the patient’s oral health, but also for general health. Continuing education in dental hygiene helps ensure that the hygienist knows how to best care for the patient’s teeth, but also knows new dental care techniques, sanitation procedures, and pain management. Particularly important is education in caring for dental patients with specific medical conditions such as diabetes or heart conditions. Other current issues of interest are caring for pregnant women and working with patients using alternative and herbal remedies.
Requirements for continuing education in dental hygiene vary by jurisdiction and professional association requirements. In the United States, for example, all but one state requires regular completion of continuing education classes in dental hygiene. In some jurisdictions, dental hygienists may complete their continuing education requirements through various forms of self-study or online courses. Other places have more stringent requirements for the classes a hygienist must complete and may require courses to be completed only in a classroom or clinical setting.
Dental hygiene continuing education classes are usually available at dental hygiene schools, professional association meetings, and in some cases, through various online education providers. Dental hygienists must ensure that any course they take is approved by the appropriate licensing board or the professional association or associations to which they belong. Hygienists should also consult their employer about appropriate courses for the dental clinic they work for. Some practices may have specific problems on a regular basis due to the population they serve, and additional training in this area would benefit the hygienist, practice and patients. Hygienists who wish to further their careers by developing an area of expertise may find that continuing education courses in dental hygiene help them to achieve their professional and career goals.
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