Radiography vs. Dental Hygiene

Mary,futureRT. · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 2

Hey everyone, I am a prospective Radiography student, ( haven't been admitted to the program yet, but am taking Intro. to Diagnostic Imaging).
Anyway, my friend is going into Dental Hygiene, and, because taking x rays is almost like a side job in her field, she told me that I shouldn't do Radiography, and that I could "do better".
Well, I was really offended! I always had such a great respect for RTs! I was under the impression (and still am) That becoming a RT would be a complex and admirable process....something to work towards, and something just as "good" as a Dental Hygienist. Is Dental Hygiene...superior? Honestly, I am curious as to how they compare.....

What are your opinions?
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hjhogle · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:41 pm Post subject:

Dental Hygiene superior to Radiography?

Well, that's certainly ..... unusual.

I'm not going to get into some sort of 'my job's better than your job' thing. She's entitled to her opinion, even if I believe she's wrong.

It occurs to me that you're a pot-stirrer. "Is Dental Hygiene...superior?What are your opinions? " Did you really think you'd get objective opinions on a Radiography forum?

What is it you want us to say?

hjh, RT

Mary,futureRT. · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 2

hjhogle · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:40 pm Post subject:

Like any profession, Radiography is well suited to some, not others.

Hmmm is it better to be a neurosurgeon or a car mechanic? That depends on whether you have a brain tumor or a leak in your engine.

I'm a Radiographer. Personally, I prefer stretching my mental muscles doing a variety of duties than cleaning other people's teeth every day. There's more variety in our profession, and I love the atmosphere in hospitals (of course I do - I've been a working RT for 30 years). You won't find hygienists in hospitals.

If you're someone who doesn't like the hospital environment (yes, I know some RT's work in offices... you're missing the point), if blood and guts makes you squeamish (never mind having your shoes pooped on), and if rummaging around in other people's mouths doesn't bother you? You might try dental hygiene.

And while I think you're correct - that becoming a RT IS a complex and admirable process - I would bet that your friend thinks the same of her chosen profession.

I don't think there is such a thing as "better". I love what I do.

(NOTE - you might make your signature picture (I like it, by the way) a bit smaller. It takes up an awful lot of room)
hjh, RT

Smooth23 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Michigan

I think its hard to even compare the two. If she thinks taking the 2 or 3 oral views in dental practice counts as radiography, she really needs to do some job shadowing in a hospital or something.