The dental hygiene profession is one of the best careers that can span a lifetime. I remember when I was in dental hygiene school. I was 20 years old, the youngest of all the students in my class. I didn’t think much of it, my mind was too busy with everything that I needed to learn and master! But is age a factor for prospective dental hygienists? How do ages compare among the profession?
On average, dental hygienists are in their early 40s. The average age is expected to go down as older dental hygienists retire or leave the workforce.
According to Zippia.com (a career development website) 59% of hygienists are 40 years or older with only 29% being between the ages of 30 to 40 years old. 20 to 30 year old hygienists only make up about 12% of the workforce. After all these percentages the average age of the dental hygienist is 43 years old.
Why might this tidbit of information interest you? It may be you are trying to judge if it’s too late for you to begin your journey down this career path. Or maybe, you want to make sure this profession will provide a source of income well into your golden years. Let’s explore this topic a little further.
Does age affect performance as a dental hygienist?
Well, as the old saying goes, Age is just a number.
A person could be 65 and be in the best health they’ve ever been. Conversely, a 20-something could be lagging behind because of some health issue they’ve had to deal with for most of their young life.
But the sad truth is that, as we age, our health tends to get worse. Arthritis in the hands could set in. A lack of exercise and extra weight could be adding to our pain when sitting or getting out of the dental stool. Eyesight could be worsening as the details in the mouth begin to lose their sharp focus. And the list goes on.
So, is it really a matter of age or is it a matter of health? If instead of asking “How old are dental hygienists?” you ask, “How healthy are dental hygienists?” you can get a better picture of whether this is a career for you. Of course, it would be much harder to quantify the results but they would be more meaningful. How so?
It is no secret that in order to last in the dental hygiene profession one must have good physical stamina. There is a certain quick pace that’s present in most dental offices. The practice of dental hygiene can have an effect on your health through musculoskeletal disorders and/or work stress, among other things.
As a case in point, I remember early on in my dental hygiene career when my shoulder was just killing me! I was working through the pain. It made me more irritable and was a factor in how well I cleaned the teeth. I would finish quickly at the expense of the quality of my work.
Conclusion: Did my performance suffer? Yes! Not because of my age but because of my health.
“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”
-GEORGE BURNS (AMERICAN COMEDIAN)
Am I too old to be a dental hygienist?
You are not too old to become a dental hygienist!
As a general rule, the dental hygiene profession is not reserved for a specific age group. A strong desire to develop the skills necessary to carry out the hygienist’s duties is more important than the age of the prospective dental hygienist.
The following are some suggestions that will prove useful as you start your dental hygiene career (no matter your age!)
- Develop Good Study Habits. If you’ve been out of school for a while, it would be beneficial to brush up on good study habits like reading comprehension and test taking. Take advantage of the study groups that form within your class. I recommend taking a look at Jim Kwik’s course on learning how to learn. Great methods!
- Develop a Good Exercise Routine. As I stated in the previous subheading, health is more of a success factor than the number of your age. Start a light exercise regime including stretches of the hand and arm muscles. This will prepare you to last in the dental hygiene career.
- Develop Excellent Communication Skills. From motivating a patient to accept a treatment plan to negotiating your benefits and pay package, well-developed communications skills are worth their weight in gold! Read books, attend seminars, or hire a mentor to help you develop this ever-valuable skill.
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.”
-MARK TWAIN (AMERICAN AUTHOR)
Am I too young to be a dental hygienist?
But what if you are at the opposite end of the age spectrum? Rest assured: you are not too young to become a dental hygienist!
In general, the dental hygiene profession is not limited by age. It is determined by the desire to master the skills needed to carry out the job well.
My younger brother was 18 when he began the dental hygiene program at the local university, right out of high school. It’s no surprise when his older classmates started to refer to him as ‘Baby Danny’. I was happy to see how well he took to the nickname.
Just like my brother, those that are very young in a dental hygiene class could potentially have some difficulty with earning the respect of their classmates, being brushed off as ‘The Baby’ and other names.
Beyond the classroom, being a young professional in a skilled job such as dental hygiene can expose you to being overworked if you are trying to prove yourself to your boss.
I remember my first job as a dental hygienist. I had a poor relationship with the dentist but I never took the leap to leave the position in search of a better environment. It took a schedule conflict for the dentist to finally let me go.
Unfortunately, the inexperience associated with youth can sometimes be a source of trouble.
If you think you are too young to be a dental hygienist, here are some pointers that will help you make the best of your journey into the profession:
- Be patient with yourself. Yes, you’re young but that’s a good thing! Don’t let anyone look down on your youth, not even yourself. Give yourself time to discover what works for you and gain your own style of experience.
- Be confident. You have a lot to offer to your community including your hiring dentist. You worked hard to develop your skills at the school clinic with real people. And when it comes time for you to search for a dental home, remember that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Try to see if you will be a good fit for each other.
- Keep learning. When you take responsibility for your own learning and growth those around you will pick up on your aura. Not only will you easily win their respect but you will also expedite your maturity as a professional. The easiest way to do this is to take continuing education courses on a variety of topics.
Don’t let your age limit what you can do! Feed the desire to accomplish your goal and you will find yourself in surprising places.
