All About Dental Hygienists

Dental Hygienist Example Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Life as a Dental Hygienist: What Do They Do?

• Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
• Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
• Place and remove rubber dams, matrices, and temporary restorations.
• Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
• Make impressions for study casts.
• Record and review patient medical histories.

Dental Hygienist Needed Skills

When polled, Dental Hygienists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Implant Coordinator
• Registered Dental Hygienist, Part Time Clinical Faculty
• Oral Hygienist
• Education Coordinator
• Hygienist

Is There Job Demand for Dental Hygienists?

There were about 207,900 jobs for Dental Hygienists in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.7% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 40,900 new jobs for Dental Hygienists by 2026. There will be an estimated 17,500 positions for Dental Hygienist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Dental Hygienists are California, Texas, and New York.

Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Idaho. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Dental Hygienist Salary

Dental Hygienists Make between $51,930 and $101,820 a year. The median salary is $74,820.

How much do Dental Hygienists make in each U.S. state?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alaska	$114,320
California	$100,830
Washington	$90,690
Arizona	$85,890
New Jersey	$85,860
Oregon	$85,280
Maryland	$85,240
Colorado	$84,510
Connecticut	$83,630
Massachusetts	$82,750
District of Columbia	$81,270
Nevada	$81,270
Virginia	$79,640
New Hampshire	$79,560
Delaware	$78,550
Hawaii	$77,920
New York	$76,280
New Mexico	$75,860
Texas	$75,300
Rhode Island	$74,650
Idaho	$74,430
Montana	$74,350
Minnesota	$74,240
Oklahoma	$73,990
Illinois	$72,640
North Dakota	$72,580
Vermont	$72,490
Arkansas	$71,090
Wyoming	$69,620
North Carolina	$69,500
Utah	$69,490
Iowa	$68,870
Missouri	$68,820
Ohio	$68,310
Indiana	$68,000
Pennsylvania	$67,010
Tennessee	$66,290
Nebraska	$65,870
Georgia	$65,650
Wisconsin	$65,540
Maine	$65,500
Kansas	$64,980
South Dakota	$64,580
Michigan	$64,130
Florida	$64,070
South Carolina	$61,440
Kentucky	$59,910
Louisiana	$59,810
Mississippi	$57,860
West Virginia	$57,740
Alabama	$46,500

What Tools & Technology do Dental Hygienists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Dental Hygienists:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office

How do I Become a Dental Hygienist?

What education or degrees do I need to become a Dental Hygienist?

What work experience do I need to become a Dental Hygienist?

Where Dental Hygienists Work

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Dental Hygienist may also be interested in:

• Psychiatric Aides
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
• Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Are you already one of the many Dental Hygienists in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• Radiologic Technologists

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons