A licensed New Haven dental hygienist is someone whose profession revolves around conducting initial patient screenings, cleaning teeth, and advising patients on oral health and preventive care. No dental office is complete without a dental hygienist and this makes it a profession which is high in demand. However, hygienists hold more responsibility than many people believe they do, and because of this the licensing process can be tedious.
When Your License is on the Line
Dental hygienists are generally required to at least have an associate’s degree, although some universities are now offering bachelor’s degrees for those who wish to pursue this profession. New Haven dental hygienists must complete a dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA). The ADA recognizes the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) as the accrediting body for dental hygienist programs. These CODA programs may be offered at either the associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree level depending on the school. After the completion of your CODA program, a hygienist is required to successfully complete the National Board Examination. This is then followed by a clinical performance examination.
After everything has been completed, you are then eligible to apply for a state license as a dental hygienist. However, there may come a time when your hard work is threatened by suspension or loss of license. A few licensing issues you may face could result from:
Professional or dental hygiene incompetence. Hygienists are required to complete continuing education, and if a complaint is reported about their performance it could result in the loss or suspension of license.
Negligence. It is a dental hygienist’s responsibility to perform a thorough assessment of every patient. Detecting problems such as a malignant lesion could save a patient’s life, but the non-detection of such could result in major health problems that could lead to the loss of one’s license.
Not protecting patient privacy. In situations where information is shared about a patient either accidentally or intentionally this could result in the loss or suspension of one’s license.
The License Lawyers Can Defend Your Livelihood – Call Us
Becoming a New Haven dental hygienist is a fulfilling and prosperous career. It takes years of experience, but your license is not untouchable. If the Connecticut State Dental Commission has contacted you regarding a problem with your license, please reach out to our New Haven dental hygienist license lawyers.
