Since dental hygienists are in the position of assisting dentists, they should be bright and detailed people who can accurately grasp the feelings of both doctors and patients. Dental technicians require precise techniques to make dentures that fit the patient's mouth, so they should be dexterous and meticulous.

Dental hygienists provide treatment assistance and prophylaxis under the direction of the dentist. Treatment assistance includes delivery of instruments to the dentist and disinfection. Prophylaxis includes removal of dental plaque and tartar, and instruction on brushing and diet.

Dental technicians are responsible for making dentures or repairing dentures that no longer fit the mouth, based on the dental molds taken from the patient's teeth by the dentist. They make a variety of dentures, gold crowns, bridges, joints, and false teeth. It is very difficult to make dentures that fit each patient's mouth perfectly and requires a high level of skill.

Dental hygienists and dental technicians can obtain certification by taking the national examination after studying specialized knowledge and skills at their respective educational institutions (vocational schools, junior colleges, universities, etc.). The pass rate for both dental hygienists and dental technicians is as high as 95% every year.

Dental hygienists are said to be in short supply relative to the number of doctors. The future is promising, especially since it is expected that prevention will be more important than treatment in the future. With the arrival of an aging society, there will be an increase in the number of elderly people, so it will be increasingly necessary to provide dental health guidance at nursing homes and other facilities.

Due to the aging population, the number of people who will need dentures and other forms of dentures will continue to increase. However, the demand for "teeth that fit me perfectly" will also increase, and the time will come when the quality of dentures will be questioned. We need to improve our skills.

The national average annual salary for dental hygienists is 3,867,000 yen, although it varies depending on the size of the clinic and other factors. The average annual salary for dental technicians varies according to age and experience, but the national average is 4,273,000 yen.

Both dental hygienists and dental technicians are required to meet the regular holidays of their employers. However, if you are an independent dental technician, you can decide for yourself.

Dental hygienists are in dental clinics, health centers, geriatric care facilities, etc. Dental technicians work in dental laboratories, dental clinics, and dental laboratories of university hospitals.

It's a chart that shows at a glance the main routes to getting a job as a dental hygienist or dental technician!