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What is a Dental Hygienist?

A dental hygienist is a licensed health care professional, oral health educator, and clinician who, as a co-therapist with the dentist, provide preventive, educational, and therapeutic services supporting total health for the control of oral diseases and the promotion of oral health.  A registered dental hygienist has graduated from a minimum two-year college program that includes classroom studies and extensive supervised clinical experience.  A dental hygienist also must pass a national written exam and a comprehensive state clinical exam to earn the RDH license. 

Generally, the dental hygienist may work in general and specialty oral health practices.  Other areas of employment include programs for research, professional education, and community health; hospital and institutional care of disabled persons; federal programs, such as the armed services; or other health service locations as specified in statue or as authorized by the state board of dentistry.  More information about the careers available to dental hygienists is available at http://www.adha.org/careerinfo.htm.

What does a dental hygienist do?

  • Performs patient screening procedures, including x-rays
  • Teaches patients how to practice good oral hygiene
  • Applies preventive materials such as fluoride and sealants to the teeth
  • Counsels patients regarding good nutrition and its impact on oral health
  • Removes calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from the teeth

Where do dental hygienists work?

  • Dental offices of general dentists and dental specialists
  • Public health agencies, hospitals and community health clinics
  • Public school systems, dental schools and dental hygiene education programs
  • Sales and research for dental equipment and products

What benefits does a dental hygiene career offer?

  • Personal satisfaction: One of the most enjoyable aspects of a career in dental hygiene is working with people. Personal fulfillment comes from providing a valuable health care service while establishing trusting relationships with patients.

  • Prestige: As a result of their education and clinical training in a highly-skilled discipline, dental hygienists are respected as valued oral health care team members.

  • Variety: Dental hygienists use a variety of interpersonal and clinical skills to meet the oral health needs of many different patients each day. Hygienists have opportunities to help special population groups such as children, the elderly and the disabled. They may also provide oral health instruction in primary and secondary schools and other settings.
  • Creativity: Because dental hygienists interact with such diverse population groups, they must be creative in their approach to patient management and oral health education.

  • Flexibility: Full-time and part-time employment options and the availability of evening and weekend hours enable dental hygienists to balance their career and lifestyle needs. Hygienists also have opportunities to work in a wide variety of settings, including private dental practices, educational and community institutions, research teams, and large group practices.

  • Security: Dental hygiene is projected to be one of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in future years. Due to the success of preventive dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral disease, the expanding older population will retain their teeth longer and be even more aware of the importance of regular dental care. With the emphasis on preventive care, dentists will need to employ more dental hygienists than ever before to meet the increased demand for dental services.

  • Opportunities for non-traditional students: If you've been out of school for a while but are seeking a career change, dental hygiene may be an excellent choice for you. Online learning and flexible scheduling will benefit students with family responsibilities as well as those who are working while they learn.

  • How can I train to become a dental hygienist?  There are more than 300 accredited dental hygiene education programs in community colleges, technical colleges, dental schools, and universities across the U.S. Most associate degree programs take at least two years to complete. Some universities offer four-year baccalaureate programs. Innovative training methods include distance learning and institution-based, didactic coursework combined with community experience.

After completing your dental hygiene education, you may seek additional training in education, business administration, basic sciences, marketing, and public health.  When your coursework is complete, you can become a registered dental hygienist (RDH) by passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (a written test), passing a Clinical Board Exam (on a patient), and the authorized licensure exam in your state.  To learn more about careers in dental hygiene, contact your dentist, dental hygienist or the dental society in your area. Arrange to visit a nearby dental office to observe a dental hygienist at work.

 

How much do Dental Hygienists make?

Dental hygiene salaries can vary widely depending on factors including but not limited to type and location of practice, whether the work is full or part-time, and the hygienist's experience level.   According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a dental hygienist in the United States was $72,720 in 2015 and the mean hourly wage was 34.96 (http://stats.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292021.htm)

Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 33 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.  Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will continue to spur demand for preventative dental services, which dental hygienists often provide.  New and increasingly accurate technologies to help diagnose oral health problems are also expected to increase demand.  Job prospects are expected to be favorable in most areas, but will vary by geographic location.  Because graduates are permitted to practice in the state in which they are licensed, hygienists wishing to practice in areas that have an abundance of dental hygiene programs may experience strong competition for jobs.