Health & Fitness
Dental Hygiene Program Helps Meet Health Needs of New Yorkers
Plaza College in Forest Hills, Queens helps launch careers with dental hygiene degree program
Research finds that maintaining healthy oral hygiene can limit some very serious health problems. In addition to helping prevent tooth decay at the most basic level of systemic health, the Mayo Clinic reports that it can help to prevent gum disease, stroke, heart attack, dementia, diabetes, and pregnancy complications.
The simple fact is, that modern-day medicine suggests that the health of your mouth affects your whole body. This increased awareness is leading to positive career growth among dental care givers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are now 11,650 registered dental hygienists across New York City, and it projects the sector needs to grow by over 22%, or more than 2,600 jobs just to meet growing job demand. In the United States, there are 207,900 registered dental hygienists and the field is projected to increase by 20% with over 17,500 jobs opening up.
Dr. Margaret Garland (DDS), an instructor in the Dental Hygiene Program at Plaza College in New York City helps train some of the 100 students at the school and treats patients at the Plaza College Community Dental Clinic, which is open to the public.
“As part of the two-year clinical program, students earn over 500+ hours of hands on experience in treating real patients, under the supervision of a dentist,” Dr. Garland said. “This type of experience simply can’t be recreated in a classroom. They leave the program with knowledge and experience in all types of dental care and are ready to take on any challenge that sits in their chair.”
A dental hygienist works in a dental office and conducts the full cleaning, which constitutes the majority of a routine visit, along with taking x-rays, screening for oral cancer, and scaling and polishing the teeth.
They provide the first analysis of each patient’s oral health, before consulting with the dentist on suggested actions. On a typical day a dental hygienist will see between 8-12 patients. Students in the program see children, adolescents and adults, preparing them to work in pediatric or adult dental clinics when they graduate.
The average dental hygienist can earn up to $74,000 per year including benefits nationally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticspredicts that by the year 2026, New York will have approximately 14,290 dental hygienists working, with 248,900 nationwide.
If people followed current medical standards and had a dental checkup and cleaning every 6 months, there would absolutely be a critical shortage of certified hygienists, according to Dental One Associates.
Some 40 dental hygienist candidates are expected to graduate from the Plaza College program in June 2019.
“There are not many dental hygiene educational programs offered and this is a real medical need not being met,” said Professor Laura Sleeper, a licensed Dental Hygienist and the Director of the Dental Hygiene Program. “Oral healthcare is a growing field and the more regularly we can provide care, the sooner that potential problems can be identified and addressed. Our job is to provide a thorough educational experience to launch our students into long term, sustainable careers in the dental field.”
Plaza’s Associate of Applied Sciences degree program for aspiring dental hygienists offers hands-on experience in a real-world setting, also opening up its state-of-the-art facilities as a low-cost clinic to many members of the Queens community, who can receive important preventive oral healthcare they may not otherwise be able to get.
Second year Dental Hygiene student Sahida Nasim said, “I am so grateful for the hands-on experience. I am the first in my family to go to college and earn a degree. This program has given me the confidence and laid the foundations for a solid, secure and successful dental career.”
