Dental hygienists work flexible schedules in dental offices, cleaning teeth and inspecting the neck, head, and oral area of the patient for indicators of oral disease. They may take dental x-rays, apply fluoride and sealant, and perform root planing. Hygienists use tooth models to educated patients regarding proper oral hygiene. They review and record the medical history of a patient and chart disease and decay for a diagnosis and recommended treatment from a dentist.
Dental Hygienist Skill Set:
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Social Perceptiveness
Coordination
Service Orientation
Required Abilities:
Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Problem Sensitivity
Finger Dexterity
Near Vision
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Manual Dexterity
Tools Used by Dental Hygienists:
Dental Lasers
Dental Probes
Dental Scalers or Accessories
Dental X-Ray Units
Teeth Cleaning Devices or Accessories
At a Glance: Salary Statistics
Dental Hygienist Salaries for Industries
Popular Industries
Salary
Offices of Dentists
$70,070
Offices of Physicians
$64,160
Employment Services
$64,690
Outpatient Care Centers
$69,220
Federal Executive Branch
$53,960
Typical Work Activities
Documenting/Recording Information
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Assisting and Caring for Others
Dental Hygienist Salaries for Popular Cities and States
Dental hygienist is one of the fastest growing occupations, reported the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is expected to grow 38 percent from 2010 through 2020. This rate is much faster than the average for all occupations and job prospects are anticipated to be favorable, though competition is likely within some areas. If you're looking for a job with a great outlook that pays well in the healthcare field then becoming a dental hygienist may be for you.
Dental Hygienist Education & Training
To practice as a dental hygienist, an individual usually must possess a degree from an accredited school of dental hygiene and a state license. Admission to the educational program is often contingent on the possession of a high school diploma and satisfactory scores on a college entrance exam. Additional entrance requirements vary by program and include the previous completion of one year of college. The Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited 301 dental hygiene programs in 2008.
Occupational information program O*Net surveyed a segment of dental hygienists and discovered that 67 percent of them possessed an associate’s degree, 31 percent had a bachelor’s degree, and two percent held a professional or doctoral degree. The recognized minimum education to work in a private dental office is a certificate in dental hygiene or an associate degree. In order to teach, conduct research, or perform clinical practice in school or public health programs, a bachelor’s or master’s degree is often required. Dental hygiene programs include classroom, clinical, and laboratory instruction.
A dental hygienist must be licensed in the state of practice. Both written and clinical exams are required by nearly every state. The written exam is administered by the American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. In lieu of this, Alabama requires candidates to meet Alabama Dental Hygiene Program requirements that include course work, on-the-job training, and a passing score on a licensing examination administered by the state. The clinical exam required by most states is administered by regional or state testing agencies. Most states also require that candidates pass an examination regarding the legal aspects of a dental hygiene practice.
Related Occupations
Several other careers involve supporting healthcare practitioners within an office setting.
Dental Hygienists perform office, patient care, and lab duties like updating patient dental records, preparing and laying out instruments, and processing x-rays.
Medical assistants have clinical and administrative responsibilities that make physician and specialist offices run smoothly.
Physical therapy assistants provide assistance to physical therapists involved in patient care.
Surgical technologists offer assistance with surgical operations under supervision of registered nurses, surgeons, or other surgical staff.
Pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists with the preparation of prescription medicine and also perform administrative and customer service duties.
