All About Dental Hygienists
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.
List of Dental Hygienist Job Duties
- Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- Remove sutures and dressings.
- Maintain patient recall system.
- Make impressions for study casts.
- Place and remove rubber dams, matrices, and temporary restorations.
- Record and review patient medical histories.
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What Every Dental Hygienist Should Know
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.
Other Dental Hygienist Job Titles
- Dental Nurse
- Dental Hygienist
- Implant Coordinator
- Oral Hygienist
- Education Coordinator
Is There Job Demand for Dental Hygienists?
In the United States, there were 207,900 jobs for Dental Hygienist in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 17,500 positions for Dental Hygienist per 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.
Average Dental Hygienists Salary
Dental Hygienists make between $51,930 and $101,820 a year.
Dental Hygienists who work in Alaska, California, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dental Hygienists make 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 clinical records software
- Dental imaging software
- Dental intra-oral imaging software
- Voice-activated perio charting software
- Dental charting software
- Dental digital radiology software
How to Become a Dental Hygienist
Are there Dental Hygienists education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Dental Hygienist?
Dental Hygienists Sector
Dental Hygienists work in the following industries:
Related Careers
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
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