Do Dental Hygienists Get Drug Tested?
The dental hygiene career is a very rewarding profession by helping others improve their overall health and smile. Before entering the work field, you may be wondering do dental hygienists get drug tested? Drug testing is a common practice for some employers but varies depending on the profession.
In this article we will answer the question ‘do dental hygienists get drug tested’ as well as what to expect if you do get drug tested.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is a Drug Test?
Drug tests detect the presence or absence of certain substances in the body. Drug tests can detect drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and heroin, as well as prescribed medications such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines. The accuracy of the test depends on the type of test, the drug being tested for, and how recently the drug was consumed.
Do dental hygienists get drug tested? There are several forms of drug tests, including blood, urine, hair, and saliva tests. The test will look for specific chemical compounds or metabolites that are unique to a particular drug.
How Drug Tests Work
The three main drug tests include sampling urine, blood, saliva, or hair to detect certain substances. Each drug test works differently but is very simple to perform. Do dental hygienists get drug tested? If so, one of the tests below will be used.
Urine tests are a very common type of drug test used. They are inexpensive, convenient, and easy to administer. Urine-based drug tests can detect drug use within the past few days to weeks, depending on the drug. Urine tests work by analyzing a sample of a person’s urine for the presence of drugs.
Blood tests are more invasive than urine tests and can cost more for the employer. They can provide more accurate results than urine tests and can even detect drug use within the past few hours to days. Blood will be collected by a medical professional to be analyzed in a lab.
Hair tests are another type of drug test that can detect drug use over a longer period of time. When a person uses a drug, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually deposited into the hair shaft as the hair grows. A hair sample can be collected from the scalp, armpit, or chest.
Saliva tests are less commonly used for drug testing because they can be less accurate. Saliva-based drug tests are easy to collect and noninvasive. They can provide quick results and can detect drug use within the past few hours to days.
Do Employers Test for Marijuana?
Do dental hygienists get drug tested for marijuana? Marijuana is considered illegal under federal law in the United States. The federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug. However, several states in the United States have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use at the state level, working around federal law.
Where Marijuana Is Legal
Even though it is federally illegal in the United States, marijuana has been legalized locally in certain areas of the country. While marijuana is legal for recreational use in certain areas, each place has its own specific regulations and limitations regarding the possession, use, cultivation, and sale of marijuana.
Areas that have legalized marijuana use in the United States are:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Other countries that have legalized marijuana use are Canada, Uruguay, Mexico, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Israel, and Colombia. Do dental hygienists get drug tested for marijuana? It is always advisable to check with local laws and regulations before using or possessing marijuana.
Do Dental Hygienists Get Drug Tested?
There are many employers that test for drug use upon enrollment, especially in the medical field. Just because a certain drug may be legalized in the area you want to work in doesn’t mean you won’t be tested. It is also a common practice for employers to reserve the right to drug test their employees at their discretion.
Do dental hygienists get drug tested? If the job you’re applying to is a federal employment like a hospital or a prison facility, you most likely will get drug tested upon enrollment. Smaller dental practices tend to not drug test unless they detect foul play. Every employee has the right to know prior to accepting the position if a drug test is needed prior to working.
For more information about the dental hygiene career, check out our article The Dental Hygienists Pros and Cons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know if a job requires drug testing?
Most employers will tell you if a drug test is needed prior to enrollment in the job. You will be able to find if your job has the right to drug test their employees in the employee handbook. You can always ask the employer for a copy of the employee handbook prior to accepting the position.
Can my employer test for drugs without notice?
Employers reserve the right to preform drug tests on their employees if they suspect foul play but legality can vary from area to area. There are certain guidelines your employer must follow to comply with local laws. You can usually find out the specific information in the employee handbook
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