Median hourly earnings of dental hygienists were $26.59 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $21.96 and $32.48 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17.34, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $39.24 an hour.
Earnings vary by geographic location, employment setting, and years of experience. Dental hygienists may be paid on an hourly, daily, salary, or commission basis.
Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to the American Dental Association, almost all full-time dental hygienists employed by private practitioners received paid vacation. The ADA also found that 9 out of 10 full-time and part-time dental hygienists received dental coverage. Dental hygienists who work for school systems, public health agencies, the Federal Government, or State agencies usually have substantial benefits.
Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. Hygienists examine patients' teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; perform root planing as a periodontal therapy; take and develop dental x rays; and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some States, hygienists administer anesthetics; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations. Although hygienists may not diagnose diseases, they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists sometimes work chairside with the dentist during treatment.
Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health or inform patients how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their teeth.
Dental hygienists use hand and rotary instruments and ultrasonics to clean and polish teeth, x-ray machines to take dental pictures, syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics, and models of teeth to explain oral hygiene.
.Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, in response to increasing demand for dental care and the greater utilization of hygienists to perform services previously performed by dentists. Job prospects are expected to remain excellent. In fact, dental hygienists is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2012.
Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth will stimulate demand for dental hygienists. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ dental hygienists, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to employ one or even two hygienists. In addition, as dentists' workloads increase, they are expected to hire more hygienists to perform preventive dental care, such as cleaning, so that they may devote their own time to more profitable procedures.
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Dental hygienists must be licensed by the State in which they practice. To qualify for licensure, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical examination. The American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations administers the written examination, which is accepted by all States and the District of Columbia. State or regional testing agencies administer the clinical examination. In addition, most States require an examination on the legal aspects of dental hygiene practice. Alabama allows candidates to take its examinations if they have been trained through a State-regulated on-the-job program in a dentist's office.
In 2002, the Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited about 265 programs in dental hygiene. Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree, although some also offer a certificate, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree. A minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is required for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor's or master's degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
About half of the dental hygiene programs prefer applicants who have completed at least 1 year of college. However, requirements vary from one school to another. Schools offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, radiography, histology (the study of tissue structure), periodontology (the study of gum diseases), pathology, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences.
Dental hygienists should work well with others and must have good manual dexterity, because they use dental instruments within a patient's mouth, with little room for error. High school students interested in becoming a dental hygienist should take courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
.Other workers supporting health practitioners in an office setting include dental assistants, medical assistants, occupational therapist assistants and aides, physical therapist assistants and aides, physician assistants, and registered nurses.
For information on a career in dental hygiene, including educational requirements, contact:
For information about accredited programs and educational requirements, contact:
The State Board of Dental Examiners in each State can supply information on licensing requirements.
If you're interested in pursuing a career as a dental hygienist, here are some facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Overview Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to provide preventative dental care that includes cleaning teeth and teaching patients good hygiene. Training and Education To become a licensed dental hygienist, applicants must first graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass a written and clinical test. Most states also require an examination on the legal aspects of the practice. Flexible scheduling is characteristic of this job, since dentists often hire hygienists to work just two to three times per week.
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This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. Examples include dental assistants, electricians,fish and game wardens, legal secretaries, personnel recruiters, and recreation workers.
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Employment opportunities will be readily available. Flexible scheduling and part time opportunities are typically available. Some States allow hygienists to conduct some procedures normally reserved to dentists, including filling cavities, anesthetizing patients, taking out stitches, and applying metal restorations. Hygienists often work side by side with dentists. Dental hygienists are educatorsÑthey teach patients the ins and outs of proper dental care, how to brush and floss, and which type of floss and toothbrush are best for them.
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Dental hygienists perform a wide range of services - primarily in preventative oral health care. Most dental hygienists work in private dental offices. Some dental hygienists with advanced education and experience may teach in dental schools and dental hygiene education programs. What kinds of hours do dental hygienists work. Dental hygienists have very flexible schedules - full-time, part-time, evenings and weekends.
Summary of: http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/faqs/dental_hygiene.php
Until you reach about six years old, you have 20 primary or "baby" teeth. Most adults have all 28 permanent teeth by their late teens. Chances are, you started getting regular dental check-ups as a young child. They report what work they do to the dentist, including any other concerns they may find. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment.
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Dental Hygienists clean and polish teeth using scaling instruments and a rotating polisher. They also gather all of the patient data and information for the dentist and teach patients good oral hygiene practices. They can administer anesthesia for pain control and prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for interpretation by dentists. On occasion they may work with dentists in the capacity of dental assistant. Sponsored by the California Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), the bill, if enacted, allows hygienists to set up their own practice or work in a group practice.
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Hygienists examine patients' teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. In some States, hygienists administer local anesthetics and anesthetic gas, and place and carve filling materials. Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. Working Conditions Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. Some work in public health agencies, school systems, hospitals, and clinics.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9697/98.htm
Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth will stimulate demand for dental hygienists. Opportunities for part-time work and flexible schedules are common. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; take and develop dental x rays; and apply cavity preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. To qualify for licensure, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical examination.
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Opportunities for part-time work and flexible schedules are common. Hygienists examine patients' teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. To qualify for licensure, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical examination. Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree, although some also offer a certificate, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm
Southern Area Dental Hygienists Alliance - Jackson, MS - Dental Hygienists . The hygienist is to be at all times employed with the Southern Area Dental Hygienists Alliance while contracting services to area dentists. Our hygienists are screened for educational degrees, up-to-date licensure, and continuing education credits. Call today for information and/or reservation of hygienists for your office. Intelligent Media Ventures, LLC.
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