
5 Benefits of a Career as a Dental Hygienist
- 1.Service to humanity. As a dental hygienist, you will be serving humanity in reducing oral health problems which are...
- 2.Great opportunities. According to a Canadian Dental Hygiene Association 2015 survey, the unemployment rate for dental...
- 3.Good pay. You will make good money as a dental hygienist. Most dental hygienists...
What are some advantages of being a dental hygienist?
TOP PROS OF BEING A DENTAL HYGIENIST
- Your schooling will be minimum Yes, you will need to attend school in order to become a dental hygienist. ...
- You will have a competitive salary. As a dental hygienist, you can expect to earn a reasonably competitive salary. ...
- You will have a positive job outlook. ...
- You do not have to work holidays. ...
- You will not have to work nights. ...
Can you make a living as a dental hygienist?
While you don’t have to pursue a four-year degree to enter the field, dental hygienists work reliable hours and make a comfortable living, with an average national income of $77,000 a year. For those who don’t know, hygienists are assistants to dentists, who provide support for dental health. The most important tasks they perform include:
How long doesit take to become a dental hygienist?
The completion of all educational requirements in a dental hygienist program will typically take between two and four years. Students can expect to take coursework in anatomy, physiology, immunology and pathology.
What does it take to be a dental hygentist?
- Complete a preliminary exam on each new dental service patient
- Clean and remove stains, plaque, and tartar from teeth
- Apply flourides and sealants for tooth protection
- Take dental x-rays and develop them
- Administer local anesthetics to patients
- Document treatment plans and care performed on patients

What are the advantages of being a dental hygienist?
TOP PROS OF BEING A DENTAL HYGIENISTYour schooling will be minimum. ... You will have a competitive salary. ... You will have a positive job outlook. ... You do not have to work holidays. ... You will not have to work nights. ... There will always be a need for your type of work. ... You will have a comfortable work environment.More items...
Do dental hygienists get 401k?
Benefits: 67 percent receive paid vacations; 63 percent receive paid holidays; 33 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 47 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.
Why you shouldn't be a dental hygienist?
The monotony can take a toll and is one of the top disadvantages of being a dental hygienist. It can lead to burnout as hygienists find that the repetitive work becomes dull, unchallenging and uninteresting. The job also lacks variety. Hygienists perform the same tasks at every clinic.
What are the disadvantages of being a dental hygienist?
List of the Cons of Being a Dental HygienistYou will experience a lack of career variety with this position. ... The job you have will never really change. ... You will have the opportunity to serve the occasional unpleasant patient. ... There may not be any full-time positions available in your community.More items...•
What are the requirements for dental hygienist?
Associate's degreeDental hygienist / Entry level education
Does Aspen dental have 401K?
In addition to generous and highly competitive compensation, we offer retirement benefits and insurance to provide during unforeseen circumstances: 401(k) with 3% full match, followed by half match for the next 2% of contributions.
Is dental hygiene a dying career?
Qualifying in this profession opens up a range of opportunities in various work settings and with both part and full-time jobs on offer. Dental hygiene is definitely a good career.
Is dental hygienist happy?
Dental hygienists are below average when it comes to happiness. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, dental hygienists rate their career happiness 3.1 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 39% of careers.
Do you have to have good teeth to be a dental hygienist?
0:144:44Can You Become A DENTIST If You Have Bad Teeth? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight off the bat the answer is no do not be worried about becoming a dental professional becauseMoreRight off the bat the answer is no do not be worried about becoming a dental professional because you had or have bad teeth.
What do you dislike about being a dental hygienist?
CON: Can be repetitive Dental hygienists have a specific role to play in dentist's offices, and they will essentially be repeating the same tasks in the same environment every day. While your work may vary slightly between patients, you'll mostly be cleaning teeth all day.
How stressful is being a dental hygienist?
More than half of dental hygienists feel stressed by their jobs on a daily or weekly basis, and 67% believe a supervisor or workload is the cause of the stress, according to a survey conducted by RDH eVillage in January 2015. A silver lining is that the stress does not spill over into dental hygienists' personal lives.
Is becoming a dental hygienist difficult?
Dental hygiene classes require a high level of commitment. You will need to learn a great deal of course material in a short period. Being a dental hygienist is a gratifying job, but it can be a bit difficult. It's nothing that you can't handle with the proper degree of motivation, and patience.
Do dental offices offer 401k?
Dentists have several types of 401(k) plans from which to choose: Standard 401(k) Plan: Under this option, employers may elect to match the employee's contribution, up to a certain percentage, contribute a certain percent of their salary to the account (nonelective contribution) or both.
Do dental assistants get 401k?
Do dental assistants get benefits? Yes, certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) receive numerous benefits including paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick leave, pension plans or 401 (k) and health insurance.
Is being a dentist challenging?
Becoming a dentist is challenging in a number of ways, including the years of schooling required, the financial cost of education and setting up a dental practice, and the competitive dental school application process.
What is the benefit of being a dental hygienist?
This is a true benefit of working as a dental hygienist. You are going to be working in a very people-oriented field where you were building relationships with these patients. Over time you will learn the patients that you really like to talk to, and you look forward to it when you see them on your schedule.
Why do we need dental hygienists?
Just as we need doctors and primary care physicians to take care of other aspects of our bodies, and specialists for more specific treatments, we need dental hygienists and the dental industry to help maintain our oral health care.
How much does a dental hygienist make?
The average yearly salary for a dental hygienist is around $70,000. Of course, this being the average means that they were going to be some states that will pay significantly more, while others pay significantly less.
What is the benefit of being a dental hygienist?
Another benefit of being a dental hygienist is that it is a family-friendly career .
Why is it important to be a dental hygienist?
Because a dental hygienists’ clientele includes all ages, it is important to be able to keep each client at ease. They need to be comfortable and outgoing while performing oral exams. A quiet, impersonal hygienist may make patients feel uncomfortable or nervous.
What is the work schedule of a dental hygienist?
Another benefit of being a dental hygienist is that it is a family-friendly career. It is flexible, and offers the option to work part or full time. A typical shift is eight a.m. to five p.m., which is accommodating to one’s personal life. Dental hygienists work Monday through Friday; they do not normally work weekends or holidays because most dentist offices are closed. Mrs. Maddie Irwin, a dental hygienist for 27 years said, “It has great hours and I never work nights, weekends or holidays”.
Why do dental hygienists clean teeth?
That is the sound of a dental instrument being used to clean the client’s teeth! A dental hygienist improves the clients overall health when cleaning their teeth. They can help to prevent illnesses and lower the risk of diseases during each examination.
How much does dental hygiene make?
Not only is dental hygiene great for your personal life, it also offers a high enough income to live a comfortable lifestyle. The salary rate for dental hygiene is high. “In 2013, their median salary was $71, 110,” and it is progressively rising. “The top 25 percent of earners made annual salaries at or above $83,310, and the top 10 percent made annual salaries at or above $94,850.”
What makes a good dental hygienist?
Dental hygienists benefit from a friendly relationship with each patient, and the ability to personally remember him or her is helpful. Being able to communicate effectively with clients set a good dental hygienist apart from the rest.
What does it mean to be independent in dental?
One who is interested in this career can find inspiration from the following quote: “Being independent means writing one’s own story each day.”.
What are the benefits of being a dental hygienist?
Dental hygienists may receive a range of benefits through their employers, including paid vacations, sick leave, insurance coverage, dues for professional memberships, and tuition support for continued education. The extent of your benefits often depends on your employer, and whether you are a full-time or part-time employee.
Why is dental hygienist important?
Becoming a dental hygienist is an attractive choice for many reasons, from competitive salaries and flexible schedules to the satisfaction that comes from doing hands-on work that helps people live healthier lives.
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
In their daily work, dental hygienists provide a wide variety of preventative dental care, including 3:
How much does a dental hygienist make?
In fact, in the United States, the median dental hygienist salary is $74,820 per year, or almost $36 an hour 5.
Why is the demand for dental hygienists growing?
The demand for dental hygienists is growing fast. As the population ages and people retain more of their original teeth than past generations, increasing dental care is needed. A better awareness of the importance of preventative dental care is also driving demand for dental services.
What is the dental hygiene program at Carrington College?
Carrington College’s Dental Hygiene program equip s you with the skills you need to provide comprehensive dental hygiene care. Through engaging coursework and hands-on training, you’ll learn how to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and serve patients as a professional in the dental field.
How do dental hygienists work?
Dental hygienists work with numerous patients each day. Even when you are completing similar tasks, each patient will have unique needs, concerns, and challenges. Every patient will involve different interactions, oral care, and dental health education, and you’ll need to be ready to adjust your communication style and methods for each patient. No two days will be exactly alike, and you never know what the day ahead might bring!
What is a dental hygienist?
Hygienists understand how to wear the many hats of dental care and know that a smile is a strong qualification. Check out the pros and cons of pursuing a career as a dental hygienist to see if it is the right fit for you:
How much will dental hygiene increase in the future?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that employment of dental hygienists is projected to increase by 20 percent between 2016-2026 —much faster than average.¹
Can a dental hygienist work full time?
Often, dental hygienists have the option for full-time or part-time work. The BLS reports that about half of dental hygienists worked part time in 2016. 4 So, your schedule may be pliable if your employer allows it.
Is dental hygiene the same as other jobs?
While some degrees lend themselves to multiple career paths, a job as a dental hygienist is pretty much the same no matter where you decide to live or work. This consistency can be great, particularly if you love what you do, but if you’re looking for more variety, dental hygiene may not be right for you.
What are the pros and cons of being a dental hygienist?
1. You can work almost anywhere as a dental hygienist. Almost every dentist that is working anywhere around the world will have an employment opportunity for a dental hygienist. It is one of the fastest growing areas of the healthcare industry in the United States right now as well.
Why do dentists hire hygienists?
There is a lack of career variety as a dental hygienist. Most dentists hire dental hygienists as a way to complete specific procedures for their patients. That means there are rarely any advancement opportunities in this industry.
What is a dental hygienist?
Dental hygienists are responsible for cleaning the teeth of patients when they visit the dentist for their regular checkup. This position will have you examining patients to see if there are any signs of oral diseases like gingivitis. You will also be asked by your employer to provide other forms of preventative dental care, ...
How much does a dental hygienist make an hour?
The average hourly wage for a dental hygienist in the United States is currently $35 per hour. If you are working in a full-time position, then this equates to a median salary of $75,000 per year. You will earn a little more or less depending on your geographic location and overall experience in this industry.
What does it mean when a dental hygienist complains?
When you talk to dental hygienists, one of the most common complaints that you will hear is that their work feels like it is unappreciated by their employers and their patients.
How long does it take to become a dental hygiene?
You must receive a degree in dental hygiene before you can practice this profession, which usually takes between 2 to 3 years to complete when you add in the time for licensure. The requirements can vary by state, so if you are interested in this position or career, you will need to review what is required of you locally.
Why do you work as a hygienist?
Even though up to 10% of people are afraid of going to the dentist, your work as a hygienist can help to calm nerves and build relationships. There are numerous opportunities for socialization as you work to improve or maintain a person’s oral health in your chair.
Why do dentists need to be hygienists?
As a dental hygienist, you will be serving humanity in reducing oral health problems which are associated with pain, low self-esteem issues, poorly controlled diabetes, cardiovascular disease resulting from oral inflammation due to bacteria (gingivitis), and preterm birth (18% of all preterm births according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research). Poor oral health is also associated with increased risk pancreatic cancer, respiratory infections like pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease when you inhale bacteria in the mouth, and difficulty conceiving a baby.
How many dental hygienists are there in Ontario?
Today, dental hygienists are seen as an integral part of the medical profession all over the world. The 10,000 practicing dental hygienists in Ontario alone are testament to this. Below are a few reasons why you should consider a career as a dental hygienist.
What is the job of a dental assistant?
You will not only be cleaning teeth, but you will also be assessing the oral condition of your patients, planning and implementing treatment, assisting the rest of the dental team with some medical tasks, and running sensitization programs on good oral hygiene.
Which province was the first to recognize the practice of dentistry?
The performance of the first class of 27 women exceeded expectations, leading to a 75% reduction in cavity rates among participating children. In Canada, Ontario was the first province to legally recognize the practice through the 1947 amendment of the Dentistry Act.
Does service to humanity give you job satisfaction?
If service to humanity does not give you job satisfaction, there are other ways to get job satisfaction as a dental hygienist. You will be interacting with a lot of different people each day, meaning there is no chance of boredom.
