Want a Career in Medicine Without a Decade of School? What Are Your Options?

Dentist Blog

If you've always wanted to work in the medical or dental fields but aren't sure you have the drive, free time, or money to spend nearly another decade in school after obtaining your high-school diploma or GED, you may be wondering about your options. Fortunately, the increasing number of medical specialties has made it easier than ever before to find an industry job that requires only a few years of higher education or on-the-job training. Read on to learn more about three rewarding careers in the medical field that can generally be obtained with only a two- or four-year degree. 

Dental hygienist 

Requiring just a two-year associates degree in many states, the position of dental hygienist can be a lucrative one, with a median annual salary of more than $70,000 (exclusive of benefits). Dental hygienists perform a wide variety of tasks, from intake interviews for new patients to routine cleanings and more specialized procedures like dental fillings or even the installation of dental crowns and veneers. Dental hygienists also have more direct patient contact than most dentists, so this a great career choice for gregarious individuals who are interested in providing direct benefits to dental patients. Talk to a school such as Legacy Dental Arts for information on getting started.

Licensed practical nurse (LPN) 

An LPN is a type of nurse who is capable of working in just about any environment, from a nursing home to an emergency room or cancer-treatment facility. This flexibility, along with the fairly limited barriers to entry when compared to other degree paths, can make this the ideal choice for those who are interested in nursing but are not yet sure about a potential specialty. Most states require LPNs to have only a two-year degree and pass a nursing certification exam, although a few states require LPNs to earn a bachelor's degree prior to sitting for the nursing boards.

Radiology technician

X-ray technicians, ultrasound technicians, and other radiology techs can find these positions to be quite rewarding, whether they are showing an expectant mother her first ultrasound or taking the x-rays that finally show a patient to be cancer free. Radiology techs provide invaluable services to hospitals, acute-care centers, and other medical facilities that require the services of diagnostic equipment, and they may even be able to pursue a contract position that allows employment at several different facilities. In most states, pursuing one of these careers will require only an associate's degree or certification, both of which can often be earned through a local community-college program. 

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28 November 2016

Fluoride: Why I Drink Tap Water

When the bottled water craze began, I jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else who was drinking water from bottles instead of from the tap. I wasn't sure why bottled water was healthier, but I liked the taste. When I went for my next dental check-up, I had my first cavity in a while, so I had it filled and didn't think much of it. Well, I had two more during my next check-up after that, and I began trying to think of why my teeth were suddenly going bad. The only change in my habits was the switch to bottled water, so I made the switch back to tap water and my teeth began to improve. I created this blog to encourage others who have begun getting cavities suddenly to look into their changes in habits. They may find they made a change similar to mine.