Was math a difficult or easy subject for you in school? For many, math presents certain difficulties as it can sometimes be abstract. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent math teacher that really broke down complex formulas into simple terms. And yet I didn’t go into a STEM career (science, technology, engineering, math). I chose to be a dental hygienist. But, did I need to be good at math to excel as a dental hygienist?
As a general rule dental hygienists need to be good at basic math. Basic math includes adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, also known as arithmetic.
If you’re trying to decide whether working as a dental hygienist will send you into an episode of math anxiety, have no fear, it will not. In fact, I am confident that you can become a great hygienist with basic math skills. Here are some of my experiences with math as a dental hygienist.
How Will A Dental Hygienist Use Math At Work?
1. Addition and subtraction is needed when probing gum tissues
The main tool the dental hygienist uses when measuring gum tissues is a periodontal probe, a type of ‘ruler’ that measures the periodontia (the supporting structures around the tooth).
The periodontal probe has certain bands on it that stand in for measurements in millimeters. The dental hygienist will have to add and subtract certain numbers in order to determine how healthy the periodontia is around a certain tooth.
This is very important because these measurements can foretell whether a tooth is going to fall out or if it is strongly supported in the jaw.
2. Geometry is needed when taking dental x-rays
Dental hygienists are expected to take dental x-rays for the patients. The x-rays are used to determine the health of the tooth and of the bone underneath the gums. Both are essential to keeping healthy teeth longer.
The x-ray sensor or film is placed in the mouth while the x-ray machine that produces the x-rays is pointed at the area of the sensor so that the teeth are between the x-ray machine and the x-ray sensor.
If the sensor is not placed at the proper angle the x-rays will not capture the tooth correctly. The dental hygienist will need to understand whether a smaller or larger angle is needed to capture the correct x-ray. The good thing is that there is no adding or subtracting of numbers when taking x-rays but the dental hygienist needs to understand angles to get the best x-rays possible for proper diagnosis.
3. Recording drugs administered as fractions or decimals
In many states dental hygienists are trained and licensed to give patients shots of local anesthesia or anesthesia gel. Little cartridges or vials are used to deliver anesthesia. But, how much was used? One and a half? A quarter? Two thirds? Those same words could have been represented as 1.5, 0.25, or 0.66.
Knowing how to translate fractions into decimals and vice versa will help keep proper dental records and help understand the chart notes someone else wrote down in the patient’s chart.
Keeping proper dental notes will help protect your dental hygiene license from the malpractice lawsuits that so many people love to launch against workers in the medical field.
4. Financial number handling at the front desk
Some offices will ask the dental hygienist to assist the front desk with insurance claims and patient balances. This will again require basic math skills to make sure accounts are paid down or if a patient has more credit or debt with the dental office.
These are some of the most common real-life situations a dental hygienist will encounter math on a daily basis. Not too bad, huh?
“Mathematics has beauty and romance. It’s not a boring place to be, the mathematical world. It’s an extraordinary place; it’s worth spending time there.”
-MARCUS DU SAUTOY, BRITISH MATHEMATICIAN
Advanced Math To Qualify For A Dental Hygiene Program
Now, here is the kicker when it comes to math and dental hygiene:
In order to qualify for a dental hygiene program you will need to take advanced math like algebra and calculus even though you will not actually use it on the job!
It hurts me to write this as much as it hurts you to read it but it’s the truth.
Look through any prerequisite for admission course list for a dental hygiene program and you are bound to find some kind of advanced math course requirement.
I remember having to take algebra 1 and 2 and calculus 1 and 2 in order to qualify to apply for the dental hygiene program at my local community college. I even had to take a computer science coding course! Why?! Why?! There is zero need for me to code in C++ to carry out my duties as a dental hygienist. That really made me upset but there was no way around it. I had to take those courses. ‘Tis the education system we have.
How To Overcome Math Trauma And Become a Dental Hygienist
You might be feeling discouraged as you come to the realization of the discrepancy between the scholastic requirements for a dental hygienist and the real-world math needs of the dental hygienist.
Unfortunately there is a culture of math anxiety or trauma prevalent in the US. Poor teachers and learning experiences have contributed to many people’s anxiety around math. Embarrassing moments at the whiteboard have scathed the memories and self-esteem of children that grow up to be people that shun math-centric STEM jobs (which are generally very well paid) and gravitate toward jobs and careers that do not require higher math (which are generally low-paying).
If you are reading this and identify with having a math trauma just know that it’s not your fault. This system has failed you. But just because it has failed you it doesn’t give you permission to give up! As an adult you have a personal responsibility for your education.
If you are determined to get your math requirements out of the way to reach your dream job here are some pointers that will help you get over your math trauma and become a dental hygienist:
Choose your math professor carefully. Talk to people, get some recommendations or look up a professor’s rating on the web. Maybe even contact the professor and see if you can preview his course before signing up.
Get a highly rated tutor. If you are carrying math trauma, consider investing in a high quality tutor. The one-to-one attention can really reset your self-esteem and catapult you over those math requirements.
Consider getting therapy for some time. If the math trauma is really deep, you may benefit from some professional psychological counseling. They are trained to help free yourself from self-imposed subconscious restrictions including anxiety around math.
As the old saying goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Be confident that you can conquer your math trauma and anxiety and reach your career goals. Take action. If your career of choice is dental hygiene (which I hope it is!) know that you’ll soon be wearing those scrubs and scaling those teeth.
