Don’t Know What to Do After Graduation? 5 Options for New Dental Hygienists

It’s finally happened. You completed the dental hygiene program, passed the board exam, and walked across the stage to accept your diploma. But things are not lining up as you imagined. If you have not found a full-time job, are not mentally prepared to take on a full-time position, or are considering furthering your education, here are other routes to take after dental hygiene school.

NETWORK

Attend conferences or get involved with your local associations to make connections with other dental hygiene professionals from various specialties, organizations, and dental offices. Temping is another way to meet dentists, dental hygienists, and future co-workers. If you make a good impression, these connections may keep you in mind when a job pops up!

FURTHER YOUR EDUCATION

You can decide not to jump into clinical dental hygiene practice and instead complete your baccalaureate degree to pursue a master’s degree in dental hygiene. A master’s degree can open the door to a variety of opportunities and professional benefits. Here is some advice from dental hygienists with advanced degrees.

TEMP

Perhaps landing a full-time permanent job is taking longer than expected, or you have yet to find that dream office. If you want to work in clinical practice while you look for other opportunities, consider accepting a temp job. There are several ways to find a temp job from searching job posting sites, applying directly to dental offices, or going through a temp agency. Working for various office will give you hands-on experience and open your eyes to the ways offices operate—hint, they aren’t all the same. Temping can help you learn more about yourself and help you determine what you really like and don’t like in dental offices, which can serve you when scouting the perfect full-time job.

VOLUNTEER

You can travel and do mission work by joining AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. If you want to volunteer as a dental hygienist, there are so many opportunities to travel abroad to developing countries and use your clinical experience for good as you serve underserved communities. Check out volunteerhq.org, globaldentalrelief.org, and allianceforsmiles.

TAKE CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES

If you want more specialized training in a specific area, consider enrolling in continuing education courses. There are thousands of courses available through sites such as dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com that allow clinicians to keep up on relevant topics.