Who knew that a career in dental hygiene could be translated
into a personal business venture with flexible hours and satisfying results?
Faye Kandasamy, a
recent graduate of Canadian College of Dental Health
knows, and she’s putting smiles on the faces of senior citizens as a result.
Through the college’s mandatory community outreach program, Kandasamy became aware
of the need for dental health care providers in long term care facilities and
senior residences.
“Working
with these patients, I realized that there was a huge need and also that I had
the passion and the patience that you need to go out there and do that,”
Kandasamy explains.
Although a little uncertain at the prospect of starting her
own business fresh out of college in the fall of 2007, she felt well prepared
by the college. It was the college that steered Kandasamy toward the Canadian
Association of Dental Health and the Ontario Dental Hygiene Association for
additional guidance. These associations also set standards for graduates.
The independent practitioner finds her work rewarding and
enjoys having the ability to set her own flexible hours. She also has the
option of working in a dental office part time to supplement her income if
necessary.
As a successful graduate of the Canadian
College of Dental Health, an affiliate
of the Canadian Therapeutic College,
Kandasamy is among the 90 per cent of graduates that find employment. It is a
highly competitive field however that requires prospective students to complete
a stringent application process. The lengthy entrance exam covers spatial
relations, cognitive abilities, science and English. As a prerequisite,
candidates must have two senior high school-level science credits. The next
step is a personal interview with the program director with a focus on the
potential student’s background.
The program takes18-months to complete, from the first stage
during which students work on simulated heads, on to mandatory clinic work with
actual patients. The students’ work is supervised by industry professionals,
making the experience for both the students and the patients a pleasant one.
In addition to working independently as Kandasamy does, licensed
dental hygienists can find employment in private dental practices, hospitals,
public health units, community health clinics, and educational institutions, in
industry and in research.
Find out more about the Canadian College
of Dental Health at
ccdh.ca.
