collageIn Florence, South Carolina, Florence–Darlington Technical College is a two-year community college. The South Carolina Technical College System includes it. The Florence-Darlington Technical Education Center, which serves Florence, Darlington, and Marion counties, was founded in 1963.
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Dr. Jamie Driggers shows two Florence-Darlington Technical College dental hygiene students the problems associated with a child’s teeth. Driggers was there to ensure the clinic was going well and the students were doing their work correctly.
What Are My Career Options in Dental Hygiene?
If you’re interested in mouth, teeth and dental issues, a career in dental hygiene may be right for you. Read on to learn about your career options in this field.View Schools
Dental Hygiene Career Options
As a dental hygienist, your work will focus on helping people maintain good oral health. If you go into clinical practice, you’ll assist a dentist in providing in-office dental care and instructions to patients.
Though most dental hygienists work in clinical practice in a dentist’s office, other career options are available. You could also work for insurance companies, schools, universities, government agencies or public health organizations. In these settings, you may focus on different aspects of dental care, such as research, education, administration, advocacy or policy creation.
Important Facts About Dental Hygiene Careers
| Median Salary (2019) | $76,220 per year (for dental hygienists) |
| Job Outlook (2019-2029) | 6% growth (faster than average) |
| Continuing Education | Training will be required to maintain license |
| On-the-Job Training | None required |
| Similar Jobs | Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Radiation Therapist |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Florence Darlington Technical College Dental Hygiene
FLORENCE, S.C. – More than 20 dental hygiene students from Florence-Darlington Technical College administered more than 30 free dental checkups for children on Monday.
Dr. Jamie Driggers was the dentist for the Dental Hygiene and Assisting Programs. She was the clinic supervisor, and she ensured everything went smoothly as the students saw each patient. Driggers said February is Dental Health Month.
“This is an outreach to the community, as well as giving the hygiene students experience with children ages 3-12 that they don’t see a lot of, because typically they’re in school during the hours that our students see patients,” Driggers said.
The clinic was only for senior and freshmen students. The seniors did the work, while the freshmen watched and helped, since it was their first time shadowing. Senior Sims Cannon said working with the kids was fun but challenging.
“I feel like we’ve learned a lot,” Cannon said. “It takes a lot of patience. Some kids are easy – they are better than adult patients. Some just don’t want to cooperate.”
Common early childhood dental problems include decay and plaque.
“Dental plaque is prevalent in this age, because we just kind of tend to brush the tops of our teeth and don’t get all the way down to the gum line,” Driggers said.
Cannon said the most common problem she saw in the three patients she worked with was children not brushing their teeth properly. She said teeth need to be brushed twice a day, but often kids forget or don’t find the time.
Cassi Poston is another senior dental hygiene student, and she said the out-of-classroom experience was very beneficial to her, because she didn’t have experience working with kids.
“I’ve actually had a good time with the kids,” Poston said. “We never get to see kids. Most kids are scared of the dentist, so you have to actually show them what you’re doing before you do it.”
The parents have to be involved for children to have good dental hygiene, Poston said.
“Help brush the kids’ teeth, especially if they’re under the age of 7,” Poston said. “They need to be helping the kids brush their teeth. Go to the dentist. I’ve seen two today that were 3, almost 4, and they haven’t been to the dentist. Today was their first day.”
Freshman Ansley Kipp shadowed Poston, and she said the best part of the day was seeing in real-life what she sees in her textbook.
“I get to watch her use the kind of instruments that we’ve been learning, but she looks a lot more comfortable than we do, so it’s nice to know that we’re going to get to that point,” Kipp said.
Kipp also saw the dental issues she’s learned about.
“It was the first time I’ve gotten to see a kid that has adult teeth and the primary teeth all in one,” Kipp said. “That was kind of neat to pick out, like, ‘Hey, he’s got these teeth so far; these are still there.’”
Parents Pam and Ben Hewett brought their 7-year-old son, Nόe Truncellito, to the clinic, and it was his first time having a dental checkup.
“It’s wonderful,” Ben Hewett said. “We appreciate it. It helps Tech out and gives them some experience and helps us out. We get to know what’s going on with our children and their dental needs.”
Ben Hewett said he plans to bring Truncellito back to the clinic, and Driggers said she plans on it happening again.
“We’re hoping to make this an annual event, so be on the lookout next year around the same time,” Driggers said.
The students have clinical hours during the week that the public is welcome to come to.
“We’re always open to new patients all year round,” Driggers said. “Typically we see all ages, but summertime is when we see more children, but even then, who wants to go to the dentist when they’re out for summer break?”
Regular clinic hours are at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. Clinics usually last approximately three hours. Each visit is $25, but senior patients are charged $10. FDTC does not accept insurance or Medicaid, and patients should make an appointment before coming at 843-661-8224.
FDTC lands dental hygiene grant
STAFF REPORTS
FLORENCE, S.C. – Florence-Darlington Technical College recently received a grant funded by the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation to support the goals of its Dental Hygiene program.
The purpose of the “Improving Oral Health Outcomes” grant is to expand the oral health care reach to South Carolina residents through increased free community dental events and updated dental equipment.
The grant will target three specific groups in the Pee Dee — children, individuals referred from local free medical clinics, and any adult who needs an oral cancer screening.
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“We look forward to expanding our reach within the community and are excited to be a resource that Florence and surrounding counties can lean on for free and quality dental care,” said Alicia Johnston, Dental Hygiene Program director.
The funding will pay for individuals to obtain free preventive dental treatment in FDTC’s community dental clinic that is located in the Health Sciences Campus in downtown Florence, and it will also be used to update radiography machines, sterilization equipment, and student simulation equipment.
“I can’t think of a more deserving program to receive this grant,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Marc David. “We have a wonderful dental clinic, a very capable director, faculty and staff, and some of the most dedicated students anywhere. What an awesome gift for FDTC and the Pee Dee community.”
The “Improving Oral Health Outcomes” grant is one of the foundation’s Healthy Priority Grants that focuses on five areas, including access to care, building a stronger workforce for health, improving the quality and value of health and health care, investing in the health and well-being of South Carolina children and families, and research/special projects.
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