Career: Dental Hygienists
You’re probably aware that going to the dentist isn’t most people’s idea of a pleasant experience, but as a dental hygienist, you can help patients enjoy and even avoid a trip to the dentist.
Dental hygienists are responsible for helping patients' keep their teeth and gums clean and disease free. The more thorough and effective the hygienist, the more likely it is the patient can steer clear of unpleasant dental procedures.
Dental hygienists focus on preventive dental care. They apply fluoride, take x-rays, examine patients' teeth and gums, and check for mouth diseases.
“When you're working in a dental practice, you see all types of people with all types of problems. ”
Melissa, Dental Hygienist
Are You Ready To...?
- Clean teeth
- Educate patients about dental care
- Wear gloves, masks, and special clothing to protect yourself against patients' diseases
- Keep up with the latest procedures through continuing education
- Maintain your physical strength and health to combat the stress of standing and bending over much of the day
It Helps to Be...
Detail- oriented, good with your hands, and able to put people at ease. If you enjoy arts and crafts, fixing appliances, or teaching someone a new skill, you already have some talents and interests that make you well suited to be a dental hygienist.
Make High School Count
- Take plenty of math and science courses.
- Enhance your communication skills through English composition, drama, and speech classes.
- Study a foreign language to communicate with more patients.
- Volunteer at a dental clinic.
Did You Know?
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree will lead to more opportunities in research, teaching, and administration.
Outlook
Government economists predict job growth for dental hygienists to be much faster than the average for all careers through 2016. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing occupations.
That's in part because younger dentists are more likely to employ hygienists in their practices so that they can concentrate on more patients and more-profitable procedures. What's more, because of new and advanced dental treatments, greater numbers of people are keeping their natural teeth throughout their lives. The result is a higher demand for dental hygienists to maintain those teeth.
Compensation
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of dental hygienists was $64,910 in 2007. The average hourly rate was $31.21.
Benefits vary significantly from practice to practice and depend on full-time employment. Dental hygienists who work for school systems, public health agencies, the federal government, or state agencies often have better benefits than those who work for private dental practices.
