Comments for Ideal Dental Plan - Discount Dental Plans - Full Coverage Dental Insurance http://idealdentalplan.com Information about variety of Dental Plans, what you need to know and how they can benefit you in your dental treatments. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:53:05 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on How long will it take for a dental assistant to become a dental hygienist? by unknown http://idealdentalplan.com/how-long-will-it-take-for-a-dental-assistant-to-become-a-dental-hygienist/comment-page-1/#comment-63 unknown Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:53:05 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/how-long-will-it-take-for-a-dental-assistant-to-become-a-dental-hygienist/#comment-63 If you became a certified dental assistant and got a certificate from a community college then you may have already taken some hygiene related classes. Although it still takes 2 years to get your hygiene degree. Right now there are not many hygiene jobs available. Also most hygiene jobs do NOT offer any benefits (health insurance, vacation, etc) that you enjoy as a dental assistant. I would advise you find another assisting job at better pay or become a surgical tech or nurse. If you became a certified dental assistant and got a certificate from a community college then you may have already taken some hygiene related classes. Although it still takes 2 years to get your hygiene degree. Right now there are not many hygiene jobs available. Also most hygiene jobs do NOT offer any benefits (health insurance, vacation, etc) that you enjoy as a dental assistant.
I would advise you find another assisting job at better pay or become a surgical tech or nurse.

]]> Comment on How long will it take for a dental assistant to become a dental hygienist? by Floyd S http://idealdentalplan.com/how-long-will-it-take-for-a-dental-assistant-to-become-a-dental-hygienist/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Floyd S Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:13:20 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/how-long-will-it-take-for-a-dental-assistant-to-become-a-dental-hygienist/#comment-62 Hello, Some Dental Hygiene schools do give credit for experience, but only after you are able to prove your experience was viable....Also various schools have different requirements time wise...If you go to a community or state college you will most likely find the course will be between two and three years...Some community colleges make it a two year course...I'm not aware of any VoTech schools that teach a Hygienist course....In larger cities you will find specialty schools that teach various health related courses and sometimes they are streamlined and require less time.......Remember this though...You need to pick a school with a quality education background so as to get a quality education...There are no short cuts when it comes to providing a health related services. Good luck and I wish you well. The Denture Pro. Hello, Some Dental Hygiene schools do give credit for experience, but only after you are able to prove your experience was viable….Also various schools have different requirements time wise…If you go to a community or state college you will most likely find the course will be between two and three years…Some community colleges make it a two year course…I’m not aware of any VoTech schools that teach a Hygienist course….In larger cities you will find specialty schools that teach various health related courses and sometimes they are streamlined and require less time…….Remember this though…You need to pick a school with a quality education background so as to get a quality education…There are no short cuts when it comes to providing a health related services. Good luck and I wish you well.
The Denture Pro.

]]> Comment on How long will it take for a dental assistant to become a dental hygienist? by Joe http://idealdentalplan.com/how-long-will-it-take-for-a-dental-assistant-to-become-a-dental-hygienist/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Joe Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:58:49 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/how-long-will-it-take-for-a-dental-assistant-to-become-a-dental-hygienist/#comment-61 3 years 3 years

]]> Comment on What accelerated dental program is easiest to get into? by gymnastnikki http://idealdentalplan.com/what-accelerated-dental-program-is-easiest-to-get-into/comment-page-1/#comment-60 gymnastnikki Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:07:46 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/what-accelerated-dental-program-is-easiest-to-get-into/#comment-60 http://collegelists.pbworks.com/Accelerated-Dental-Programs look at the list of the accelerated dental program schools from the above link, then write down the ones you are most interested in (based on location, or reputation) then go to the schools' websites and check out their dental program requirements, or average scores of the current dental students. good luck! http://collegelists.pbworks.com/Accelerated-Dental-Programs

look at the list of the accelerated dental program schools from the above link, then write down the ones you are most interested in (based on location, or reputation) then go to the schools’ websites and check out their dental program requirements, or average scores of the current dental students. good luck!

]]> Comment on How much does my first degree influence dental school applications? by 3ng1n33rgurl http://idealdentalplan.com/how-much-does-my-first-degree-influence-dental-school-applications/comment-page-1/#comment-59 3ng1n33rgurl Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:27:48 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/how-much-does-my-first-degree-influence-dental-school-applications/#comment-59 If you've taken the prerequisite undergraduate classes, any major is fine. If you're missing some prereqs, you might have to take them before you apply, check with the school you are applying to. Math sounds like an excellent major and you have a decent GPA-you can emphasize on your application how math taught you logical reasoning skills and problem-solving skills. Dentists often have to make judgement calls based on x-ray or visual evidence and they have to be good at understanding shapes and materials. If you’ve taken the prerequisite undergraduate classes, any major is fine. If you’re missing some prereqs, you might have to take them before you apply, check with the school you are applying to. Math sounds like an excellent major and you have a decent GPA-you can emphasize on your application how math taught you logical reasoning skills and problem-solving skills. Dentists often have to make judgement calls based on x-ray or visual evidence and they have to be good at understanding shapes and materials.

]]> Comment on Can a dental hygienist tell a dentist to put on clean gloves? by jamrdh70 http://idealdentalplan.com/can-a-dental-hygienist-tell-a-dentist-to-put-on-clean-gloves/comment-page-1/#comment-52 jamrdh70 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:52:31 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/can-a-dental-hygienist-tell-a-dentist-to-put-on-clean-gloves/#comment-52 I have experienced this in my hygiene career and sometimes it is a careless dentist (or other staff member) and sometimes it is an honest mistake. A couple of ways I have handled this are - 1. said nothing that would alert the patient and handed them a new pair of gloves prior to them getting into the mouth 2. asked them if I could speak to them for a minute outside the room and let them know 3. just made eye contact with the Dr. and pointed to the gloves on their hands to jog their memory 4. held out the box of gloves at them (I have attempted to do all of these behind the patients head or at least out of the line of site, because who wants to be shown their wrong in front of the patient or staff) If you think it is a ongoing problem and you feel that the dentist will get upset or be offended, you might opt to hold onto the mirror and explorer (so they can't do the exam) until you see they have changed their gloves and if they haven't, hand them gloves first and then the instruments.Or maybe leave a new set of gloves on top of the instruments on the tray so they can't get to the instruments without seeing them. If this is a constant obvious problem and their are copious amounts of other "dirty" offenses you might see if you can make some positive changes in the practice or find a different practice to work in. Honestly, I graduated 15 years ago and alot has changed, so if the Dr. you are working for is older they may just not know about the newer protocols. There is an awful lot of new information to take in all the time, but basic cleanliness is an issue that cannot be compromised since some medically compromised patients could be severly affected....Not only are you able, but you must address the issue for everyone's safety. After all, if dirty gloves are going into a patient's mouth, what else are they touching the bathroom doorknob? (that you are going to end up touching with your bare hands?) Good luck + hope that helps! JAMRDH -a dental hygienist I have experienced this in my hygiene career and sometimes it is a careless dentist (or other staff member) and sometimes it is an honest mistake. A couple of ways I have handled this are –

1. said nothing that would alert the patient and handed them a new pair of gloves prior to them getting into the mouth
2. asked them if I could speak to them for a minute outside the room and let them know
3. just made eye contact with the Dr. and pointed to the gloves on their hands to jog their memory
4. held out the box of gloves at them
(I have attempted to do all of these behind the patients head or at least out of the line of site, because who wants to be shown their wrong in front of the patient or staff)

If you think it is a ongoing problem and you feel that the dentist will get upset or be offended, you might opt to hold onto the mirror and explorer (so they can’t do the exam) until you see they have changed their gloves and if they haven’t, hand them gloves first and then the instruments.Or maybe leave a new set of gloves on top of the instruments on the tray so they can’t get to the instruments without seeing them.

If this is a constant obvious problem and their are copious amounts of other “dirty” offenses you might see if you can make some positive changes in the practice or find a different practice to work in. Honestly, I graduated 15 years ago and alot has changed, so if the Dr. you are working for is older they may just not know about the newer protocols. There is an awful lot of new information to take in all the time, but basic cleanliness is an issue that cannot be compromised since some medically compromised patients could be severly affected….Not only are you able, but you must address the issue for everyone’s safety. After all, if dirty gloves are going into a patient’s mouth, what else are they touching the bathroom doorknob? (that you are going to end up touching with your bare hands?)

Good luck + hope that helps!
JAMRDH -a dental hygienist

]]> Comment on How safe it is to go for dental treatment with dental student in dental school? by andmic510 http://idealdentalplan.com/how-safe-it-is-to-go-for-dental-treatment-with-dental-student-in-dental-school/comment-page-1/#comment-57 andmic510 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:11:37 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/how-safe-it-is-to-go-for-dental-treatment-with-dental-student-in-dental-school/#comment-57 It is very safe. There are always licensed dentists on staff. Supervising the students and checking their work. They will ask you to fill out a complete health history as well and probably even check your blood pressure at the clinic. We always took every patient's blood pressure before each appointment. I think you will be fine and donating your time to a student is a wonderful thing to do! It is very safe. There are always licensed dentists on staff. Supervising the students and checking their work. They will ask you to fill out a complete health history as well and probably even check your blood pressure at the clinic. We always took every patient’s blood pressure before each appointment. I think you will be fine and donating your time to a student is a wonderful thing to do!

]]> Comment on Can a dental hygienist tell a dentist to put on clean gloves? by AngelDemonLaLaLa http://idealdentalplan.com/can-a-dental-hygienist-tell-a-dentist-to-put-on-clean-gloves/comment-page-1/#comment-51 AngelDemonLaLaLa Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:53:13 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/can-a-dental-hygienist-tell-a-dentist-to-put-on-clean-gloves/#comment-51 Um, yea! I mean, you might get grossed out that they said it in front of you but at least you're gonna get checked with clean gloves! Um...you could ask him if he put on clean gloves.... Um, yea!
I mean, you might get grossed out that they said it in front of you but at least you’re gonna get checked with clean gloves!
Um…you could ask him if he put on clean gloves….

]]> Comment on How safe it is to go for dental treatment with dental student in dental school? by HeatherS http://idealdentalplan.com/how-safe-it-is-to-go-for-dental-treatment-with-dental-student-in-dental-school/comment-page-1/#comment-56 HeatherS Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:28:12 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/how-safe-it-is-to-go-for-dental-treatment-with-dental-student-in-dental-school/#comment-56 Probably safer than with anyone else, these new dentist are performing dentistry with a highly skilled and seasoned dental instructor watching over their shoulder, critiquing their every move throughout each procedure. The work may be somewhat slower, but then again, don't you agree that doing something slower lessens the chance of error? You are in good hands with these young dentist’s, they know the work and how to perform it, but they need the practice to aquire the speed before going out and hanging their shingle. Probably safer than with anyone else, these new dentist are performing dentistry with a highly skilled and seasoned dental instructor watching over their shoulder, critiquing their every move throughout each procedure. The work may be somewhat slower, but then again, don’t you agree that doing something slower lessens the chance of error? You are in good hands with these young dentist’s, they know the work and how to perform it, but they need the practice to aquire the speed before going out and hanging their shingle.

]]> Comment on How do dental professionals avoid carpal tunnel, muscluloskeletal strain, and other health issues? by Kent http://idealdentalplan.com/how-do-dental-professionals-avoid-carpal-tunnel-muscluloskeletal-strain-and-other-health-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Kent Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:27:42 +0000 http://idealdentalplan.com/how-do-dental-professionals-avoid-carpal-tunnel-muscluloskeletal-strain-and-other-health-issues/#comment-58 As a dental educator I constantly stressed proper posture and technique. Some students just would not adopt the proper techneques and I am sure that they will regret it later. Some were severely hunched over working on their patients. After being corrected, I would check back a while later and there they were back to their old posture. Thus said, some people just have anatomy which is not strong enough for the work required. Not that physical strength is needed, just the ability to do repetitive things for long periods of time. Many dentists I know have back problems etc and many hygienists, even some of the educators I know have problems with carpal tunnel syndrom. Perhaps it is just not avoidable. As a dental educator I constantly stressed proper posture and technique. Some students just would not adopt the proper techneques and I am sure that they will regret it later. Some were severely hunched over working on their patients. After being corrected, I would check back a while later and there they were back to their old posture.
Thus said, some people just have anatomy which is not strong enough for the work required. Not that physical strength is needed, just the ability to do repetitive things for long periods of time. Many dentists I know have back problems etc and many hygienists, even some of the educators I know have problems with carpal tunnel syndrom. Perhaps it is just not avoidable.

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