Question: What is happening in the dental hygiene field? I have an Associate of Arts degree in dental hygiene and worked for a few years in the field. That was over 11 years ago, though, and now I want to renew my license and go back to work part-time. What do I need to do? Do I need a bachelor's degree?
— Ricky

Response: You don't need a bachelor's degree unless you are interested in working in a public health setting or as a dental hygiene community college instructor.

Licensing renewal requirements include completion of 25 hours of continuing education courses in approved coursework every two years. The renewal fee is $35. You'll also need to take a CPR class from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.

Employment Outlook
Above average growth is projected through 2010 for dental hygienists in California and in Los Angeles there is a particularly strong need for hygienists. Besides working in a dental office, in California dental hygienists can also set up their own practice or work in a group practice. However, dental hygienists can not do the root planing and curettage, administer nitrous oxide sedation or give any injections of local anesthesia unless they work under the auspices of a dentist.

Pay
Hygienists are paid per patient, per hour or per day. You can expect to earn $300 per day.

Courses
Professional associations such as the California Dental Hygienist Association and the American Dental Hygienist Association provide continuing education programs.
California Dental Hygienist Association
505 N. Brand Blvd, Suite 740
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 500-8217
Fax (818) 247-2348
www.cdha.org
Los Angeles Chapter
Contact: Michelle Montgomery
(310) 395-0305
This is the professional membership organization for Registered Dental Hygienists. Membership benefits include industry updates through publications such as The Journal of Dental Hygiene, continuing education workshops and events, an online listing of employment opportunities, and networking opportunities at regional meetings. Annual membership dues are $90 and annual chapter dues (Los Angeles chapter) are $20.
American Dental Hygienist Association
(312) 440-8900
Fax (312) 467-1806
www.adha.org
This is a professional organization of dental hygienists. Membership benefits include industry updates through publications such as Journal of Dental Hygiene, online continuing education courses, and an online listing of employment opportunities.

ADSH also offers the option of joining the Student Dental Hygienists Association, which includes benefits such as professional development and networking opportunities, promotion of student research, and an online listing of employment opportunities. Annual national membership dues are $155 and annual student membership dues are $45.

Regarding CPR classes, you can contact:
American Red Cross (ARC)
www.redcross.org
Los Angeles Chapter
2700 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90057
www.acrossla.org
(800) 627-7000
ARC provides an online listing of educational courses according to location including Los Angeles County. For example, the Los Angeles Chapter offers a one-day Adult CPR class from 6:00 to 10:30 p.m. at a cost of $34.
American Heart Association (AHA)
Los Angeles County Division
816 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 291-7000
Fax (213) 291-7001
www.americanheart.org
The AHA provides an online listing of education providers of AHA CPR classes. For example, Life Ed, an AHA training center in San Gabriel, offers a CPR class from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at a cost of $50.

Job Resources
The following are online career resources that can be utilized for dental jobs including dental hygienist:
DentalJobs.net
www.dentaljobs.net
This is an online career resource for the dental industry, which provides a listing of employment opportunities. Registrants can post an online resume.
Denta Link
www.dentalink.net
This is also an online career resource for the dental industry that provides a listing of employment opportunities. Registrants can post an online resume.

Professional Resources
Dental Board of California (DBA)
1432 Howe Ave., Suite 85-B
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 263-2300
Fax (916) 263-2709
www.dbc.ca.gov
The mission of the board is to protect the California consumer by licensing only those dental health care professionals who demonstrate competency. The board takes appropriate action whenever licensees fail to maintain the standard of practice. This group administers an examination and licensing programs for Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) and other dental professionals.
American Dental Association
(312) 440-2500
www.ada.org
This is a national association for the dental profession, which can serve as an online information resource for dental professionals including dental hygienists. Information provided includes information sections on dental issues such as oral health care, a link to related web sites, surveys and reports.

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Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.