Quick Facts
Dental hygiene is a fast-growing field that pays well and has real job security. We at DentalHygienistTraining.org want to help you get the information you need quickly and efficiently. Take a look at our quick facts and get your answers.
Average Salary: $66,570
- Education & Training: Degree from accredited dental hygiene school and state license required
- Job Prospects: One of the fastest growing occupations, expected to grow 36% through 2018
- Job Environment: Flexible hours, clean & safe work place, lots of interaction with patients
Dental hygiene is a great career path for people who are motivated and want to make a difference in people’s lives. Dental hygienists focus on preventative dental care; that is, teaching people good daily habits to keep a happy and healthy mouth.
Responsibilities include examining the teeth and gums, removing soft and hard deposits from the teeth, addressing any problems, and educating the patient on daily care. Dental hygienists get to look forward to flexible hours, and about half of them work only part-time. Many also work at multiple offices. They also have the benefit of working in clean, well-lit offices, which adhere to strict safety measures.
Dental hygienists also are responsible for being proficient with a variety of tools, such as ultrasonic devices (for polishing teeth), x-ray machines, rotary instruments, and more. Responsibilities vary by state. For example, the way that hygienists administer anesthetics varies. Also, only some states allow hygienists to perform activities such as cavity fillings or removing sutures.
All dental hygienists are required to obtain a degree from an accredited dental hygiene school. To be accepted in such a school, the applicant must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. and college test scores. Normal coursework for prospective hygienists is usually a series of science and math classes, including biology and chemistry. Some dental hygiene programs will require the student to have completed at least one year of college. Entrance requirements and test scores vary depending on the program and school.
Dental hygienists must also get a license from the state in which they practice. This usually entails proof of a degree from an accredited program and also passing a written and clinical exam. The American Dental Association’s (ADA) Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations is the body that administers the written test, which is accepted by every state and Washington D.C.
Dental hygienists can expect great job security, as the industry is growing so fast. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field will grow by 36% through 2018, but it does also predict strong competition for jobs in certain regions.