What You Need to Know About Dental Hygienist
Position Description 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.
List of Dental Hygienist Job Duties
- Expose and develop x-ray film.
- Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
- Administer local anesthetic agents.
- Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- Make impressions for study casts.
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Dental Hygienist Needed Skills
These are the skills Dental Hygienists say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Dental Nurse
- Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
- Implant Coordinator
- Pediatric Dental Hygienist
- Hygienist
Are There Job Opportunities 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 17,500 job openings in this field each year.
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.
How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make?
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.
How much do Dental Hygienists make in each U.S. state?
| 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 |
What Tools do Dental Hygienists Use?
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 clinical records software
- Dental imaging software
- Dental intra-oral imaging software
- Voice-activated perio charting software
- Dental charting software
- Dental digital radiology software
Becoming a Dental Hygienist
What education or degrees do I need to become a Dental Hygienist?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Dental Hygienist?
Where Dental Hygienists Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Dental Hygienists work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Dental Hygienist may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Dental Hygienist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Sgt. Dallas Edwards via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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