As dental hygienists, we love what we do! But scaling teeth day in and day out can be tiring to some. Thankfully, our industry has reached a pivotal moment where there are now countless non-traditional career opportunities both in and out of the clinical setting. Dental hygienists are finding themselves leading initiatives, managing teams, advising policy and bridging the medical-dental divide.

 

If you’re looking for a break from your daily routine, consider expanding your knowledge base and transitioning to one of these non-traditional roles.

 

Myofunctional Therapist

Dealing with disorders of the muscles, Myofunctional Therapists deal with disorders of the muscles and functions of the face and mouth. It’s a program of specific exercises that strengthen the tongue in order to target the facial muscles used to chew and swallow. Myofunctional therapy includes exercises meant to improve the strength of the muscles within the oropharynx, working to reinforce the proper position of the tongue within the mouth.

 

Sleep specialists use this therapy to improve breathing problems during sleep, especially in children. Moreover, it is used by dentists and orthodontists concerned about the movement of teeth that occurs when the tongue pushes against teeth.

 

Myofunctional therapists are typically licensed dental hygienists or speech-language pathologists and integrated into various clinical care settings. Because there is no governing board overseeing the industry, myofunctional therapists do not necessarily have to be certified, but there are two well-known organizations that do provide certification courses:

  1. Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT)
  2. International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM)

Oral Health Practitioner

Many dental hygienists are passionate about educating others on the importance of oral health. These days, there are many creative ways to bridge the medical-dental divide. Oral health practitioners in various medical settings are vital to the future of our healthcare in Canada. From providing oral health education to nurses to providing preventative and therapeutic treatment, the opportunities in this field are endless.

Brand Ambassador

Brand ambassadors typically work as independent contractors and usually receive commission based on direct sales. These brand ambassadors tend to use social media to promote their selected brands. If you’re interested in sales and promoting dental brands, this career choice could be for you.

 

Independent Consultant

Looking to transition to the world of independent coaching or consulting? This path can really take you wherever you want to go!

Whether it be working one-on-one with a client, focusing on health coaching, motivational or professional career coaching, or perhaps you’d like to take the team approach. This would allow you to work with other health professionals in developing in-house programming to improve patient experience, increase patient revenue and even work to improve customer retention.

 

Own or Manage a Dental Program

Depending on where you live, dental hygienists may even be able to own or manage mobile dental programs in non-traditional practice settings. This could include schools, universities, workplaces, hospitals, or even private homes. Do the research: In Ontario, travelling dental hygienists are becoming more and more commonplace.

 

Author

Have you worked in the industry for some time? Do you enjoy writing? If you’re looking for a change of pace, try submitting a few pieces to a dentistry journal or magazine. Of course, you can widen your horizons so you’re not limiting yourself to just dental publications. Other avenues include blogs, local newspapers, and journals geared towards healthcare and medical professionals.

 

New Chapter

Remember, you’re not limited to your clinical role. If you’re looking for a change, why not use your dental hygiene experience to explore a more non-traditional opportunity and enjoy your new chapter!