What is a Dental Hygienist?
Example of Dental Hygienist Job 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.
Daily Life Of a Dental Hygienist
- Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
- Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- Make impressions for study casts.
- Administer local anesthetic agents.
- Place and remove rubber dams, matrices, and temporary restorations.
- Maintain patient recall system.
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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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Related Job Titles
- Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
- Dental Hygienist, Mobile Coordinator
- Implant Coordinator
- Registered Dental Hygienist, Part Time Clinical Faculty
- Dental Nurse
Job Demand for Dental Hygienists
There were about 207,900 jobs for Dental Hygienist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 41,000 new jobs for Dental Hygienist by 2026. The BLS estimates 17,500 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Dental Hygienist are Arizona, Maryland, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Dental Hygienist
The average yearly salary of a Dental Hygienist ranges between $51,930 and $101,820.
Dental Hygienists who work in Alaska, California, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Dental Hygienists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,500 |
| Alaska | $114,320 |
| Arizona | $85,890 |
| Arkansas | $71,090 |
| California | $100,830 |
| Colorado | $84,510 |
| Connecticut | $83,630 |
| Delaware | $78,550 |
| District of Columbia | $81,270 |
| Florida | $64,070 |
| Georgia | $65,650 |
| Hawaii | $77,920 |
| Idaho | $74,430 |
| Illinois | $72,640 |
| Indiana | $68,000 |
| Iowa | $68,870 |
| Kansas | $64,980 |
| Kentucky | $59,910 |
| Louisiana | $59,810 |
| Maine | $65,500 |
| Maryland | $85,240 |
| Massachusetts | $82,750 |
| Michigan | $64,130 |
| Minnesota | $74,240 |
| Mississippi | $57,860 |
| Missouri | $68,820 |
| Montana | $74,350 |
| Nebraska | $65,870 |
| Nevada | $81,270 |
| New Hampshire | $79,560 |
| New Jersey | $85,860 |
| New Mexico | $75,860 |
| New York | $76,280 |
| North Carolina | $69,500 |
| North Dakota | $72,580 |
| Ohio | $68,310 |
| Oklahoma | $73,990 |
| Oregon | $85,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,010 |
| Rhode Island | $74,650 |
| South Carolina | $61,440 |
| South Dakota | $64,580 |
| Tennessee | $66,290 |
| Texas | $75,300 |
| Utah | $69,490 |
| Vermont | $72,490 |
| Virginia | $79,640 |
| Washington | $90,690 |
| West Virginia | $57,740 |
| Wisconsin | $65,540 |
| Wyoming | $69,620 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Dental Hygienists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Dental Hygienists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Scheduling software
- Inventory management software
- Henry Schein Dentrix
- Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft
- Dental charting software
- Dental clinical records software
- Dental digital radiology software
- Dental imaging software
- Dental intra-oral imaging software
- Voice-activated perio charting software
How do I Become a Dental Hygienist?
Education needed to be a Dental Hygienist:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Dental Hygienist?
Who Employs Dental Hygienists?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Dental Hygienist might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Dental Hygienist in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Sgt. Dallas Edwards via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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