dental nurse, a good field?

[trigger0423]

Does anyone know the duties of a dental nurse? and also how much do dental nurses earn?

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

Are you talking about dental hygienist or dental assistant??

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

What is a dental nurse?

[trigger0423]

"Are you talking about dental hygienist or dental assistant?? "

Are there any differences between the two positions above with a dental nurse? i want to know what a dental hygienist usually does and how much they earn

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

Hygieniests do routine cleanings and education. As with nursing, it's a associate's degree or bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, but they usually pay the same for either degree. However, you have limited upward mobility and work hours. Many DHs work for several different DDS offices at the same time. They make about the same as RNs where I live and the prereqs for the BS-DH programs are about the same as the BSN programs. I was in school for this and changed to nursing after talking to a few DHs.

[JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN]

My friends who are experienced hygienists usually make a higher hourly than I do, but they're mostly stuck in part time jobs with no benefits. Benefits make a huge difference in your pay.

[trigger0423]

but is it a good career path despite that where i am right now has low job opportunity in hospitals?

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

There is such a thing as "dental nurses". my friend is a nurse (RN) in an oral surgeon's office, and he only has RN's/LPNs, no hygenists. (of course, they dont do cleanings or anything there). THey assist with the oral surgeries. THey start IVs. They use IV sedation prior to the oral surgery. They monitor them after the procedures to make sure htey wake up.

she gets paid the same in an office as she would in a hospital. but she works for a private oral surgeon-he decides the pay/benefits. of course, working for a private one man show means she has to take her vacation when he does. cuz when he's on vacay, office is closed.