Becoming a Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists performing fundamental dental services like cleanings and x-rays, under the direction of a dentist. Their duties concentrate primarily on routine hygiene care and preventative maintenance. In addition, they instruct and educate dental patients about methods of maintaining good oral health and avoiding oral disease.

Education, Training & Degrees for Dental Hygienists

Entry level dental hygienist positions can be acquired with as little post-secondary education as an associate's degree. The American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation reports that there are currently about 280 accredited dental hygiene education programs in the U.S., available at a number of colleges, both campus and online. Many also offer bachelor's degrees and even master's degrees in dental hygiene. A more advanced degree, the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner, is offered by the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA).

Every state requires that dental hygienists be licensed before they can practice the occupation. Most states require that in addition to obtaining an associate degree in the subject, the candidate pass an examination as well as the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination. One a license has been granted, dental hygienists are allowed to add "RDH" (Registered Dental Hygienist) after their name.

Job Responsibilities and Desired Skills for Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists most often perform routine but essential patient services such as examining the patients' teeth and gums to check for abnormalities or disease; taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays); cleaning and preventative maintenance; making impressions of patients' teeth for casts; and tutoring patients on oral health care and maintenance, including topics like the importance of proper brushing and regular flossing.

The majority of dental hygienists work in dentists' offices, but they can also apply their skills in numerous other locations, providing dental hygiene and oral care in institutions like hospitals, nursing homes and residence facilities, prisons, public health clinics, or schools.

To be successful, the dental hygienist should possess a number of interpersonal skills beyond the technical training required to obtain a degree. The hygienist works under the direction of a dentist and in collaboration with other dental professionals, and as a member of this dental treatment team, the hygienist requires good teamwork skills. Hygienists also need the ability to motivate patients to commit to regular oral maintenance and care. The hygienist requires good manual dexterity, to avoid causing the patient discomfort or injury when using dental devices and instruments. Empathy and the ability to put patients at ease are also always appreciated, particularly as so many people fear visits to the dentist.

Dental Hygienist Salary Range and Employment Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that there were approximately 120,000 licensed dental hygienists in the U.S. in 2004. More than half of all dental hygienists work part time, and some work in two or more locations, for a total of some 158,000 actual jobs among this population. Most hygienists are employed by dentists, although they often work for periodontists and other dental specialists. In some states, dental hygienists are legally allowed to open their own independent practice or contract their services to dentists as an alternative to direct employment.

The Department of Labor predicts that employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow "much faster than average for all occupations" well into the next decade, and lists the job as among the 30 fastest growing occupations in the country at this time. Dental hygiene work offers both flexibility and stability, and job prospects should be excellent for qualified candidates.

Figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that the average wage for dental hygienists was about $28.00 per hour in 2004, with a range running from a low of less than $18.05 per hour to a high of more than $40.70. A survey performed by the American Dental Association indicates a similar figure, identifying the median salary for a full-time dental hygienist at $30.30 per hour. Salaries and wages can vary depending on several factors, including education and experience, the hygienist's responsibilities, and the geographic location of employment.

A 2006 survey of the 50 fastest-growing careers in the U.S., conducted by Money magazine and Salary.com, lists dental hygienist in the top ten.

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