| Dental Hygienist |
Nature of the work
Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients good oral practices, and provide other
preventive dental care. They also examine patients' teeth and gums, and record the presence of any disease or
abnormalities. They may work alongside dentists during procedures, too.
Hygienists use a variety of tools in the course of a day. Hand and rotary tools along with ultrasonic devices are
used to clean and polish teeth (removal of tartar, stains, and plaque). They also use model teeth to demonstrate
good oral care, perform root planning as a periodontal therapy, or apply preventive agents such as fluoride and pit
and fissure sealants. Also, x-ray machines are used to take dental pictures.
Depending on what state one lives in, hygienists may also administer anesthetics, place and carve filling materials,
temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations.
Work Environment
Dental hygienists work in clean, well-lit offices in private dental practices, hospitals, managed care organizations,
correctional institutions, nursing homes, and in corporate environments. They also wear safety glasses, surgical
masks, and gloves to protect themselves and their patients from communicable diseases. One of the benefits of
this career is flexibility in work schedules. Full-time, part-time, evening, and even weekend schedules are common.
Another common practice is for dentists to hire hygienists to work only 2 or 3 days a week, so hygienists may hold a
second job in another dental office. In 2008, roughly one-half of all dental hygienists worked part time (<35 hours a
week).
Education and training
A degree from an accredited dental hygiene school and passage of a State license exam are required for this
career. Specific entrance requirements vary from school to school, but in general, most use college science GPA
as part of a highly competitive selection process. A survey by the American Dental Hygienist Association (ADHA)
showed that only 1/4 of applicants were accepted to associate's programs, and 1/3 of applicants were accepted to
baccalaureate programs.
Below are the requirements for the Associate in Science Degree in Dental Hygiene at Sacramento City College:
In 2008, there were 301 dental hygiene programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Most
programs grant an associate's degree, but certificates, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees are also
available.
Licensure
Dental hygienists must be licensed by their respective States. Licensure is conveyed upon graduates from
accredited schools and who pass a written and clinical exam. The American Dental Association's (ADA) Joint
Commission on National Dental Examinations administers the written exam, which is transferable to all States and
the District of Columbia. State or regional testing agencies administer the clinical exam section. Like the
infomercials say, "But wait, there's more!" Most states also require an exam on the legal aspects of dental hygiene
practice.
Job Outlook
Nationally, dental hygienists rank among the fastest growing occupations. Jobs are expected to grow 36 percent
from 2008 to 2018. Demand is expected due to population growth, elderly people increasingly retaining more teeth,
and the switch to preventative dental care.
Employment and earnings
Dental hygienists held 174,100 jobs as of May 2009. Just over half (51 percent) worked part time, and almost all
the jobs (96 %) were in dental offices. The remaining few worked for employment services, in physician's offices, or
in other industries.
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation are shown below:
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation are as follows:
Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients good oral practices, and provide other
preventive dental care. They also examine patients' teeth and gums, and record the presence of any disease or
abnormalities. They may work alongside dentists during procedures, too.
Hygienists use a variety of tools in the course of a day. Hand and rotary tools along with ultrasonic devices are
used to clean and polish teeth (removal of tartar, stains, and plaque). They also use model teeth to demonstrate
good oral care, perform root planning as a periodontal therapy, or apply preventive agents such as fluoride and pit
and fissure sealants. Also, x-ray machines are used to take dental pictures.
Depending on what state one lives in, hygienists may also administer anesthetics, place and carve filling materials,
temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations.
Work Environment
Dental hygienists work in clean, well-lit offices in private dental practices, hospitals, managed care organizations,
correctional institutions, nursing homes, and in corporate environments. They also wear safety glasses, surgical
masks, and gloves to protect themselves and their patients from communicable diseases. One of the benefits of
this career is flexibility in work schedules. Full-time, part-time, evening, and even weekend schedules are common.
Another common practice is for dentists to hire hygienists to work only 2 or 3 days a week, so hygienists may hold a
second job in another dental office. In 2008, roughly one-half of all dental hygienists worked part time (<35 hours a
week).
Education and training
A degree from an accredited dental hygiene school and passage of a State license exam are required for this
career. Specific entrance requirements vary from school to school, but in general, most use college science GPA
as part of a highly competitive selection process. A survey by the American Dental Hygienist Association (ADHA)
showed that only 1/4 of applicants were accepted to associate's programs, and 1/3 of applicants were accepted to
baccalaureate programs.
Below are the requirements for the Associate in Science Degree in Dental Hygiene at Sacramento City College:
In 2008, there were 301 dental hygiene programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Most
programs grant an associate's degree, but certificates, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees are also
available.
Licensure
Dental hygienists must be licensed by their respective States. Licensure is conveyed upon graduates from
accredited schools and who pass a written and clinical exam. The American Dental Association's (ADA) Joint
Commission on National Dental Examinations administers the written exam, which is transferable to all States and
the District of Columbia. State or regional testing agencies administer the clinical exam section. Like the
infomercials say, "But wait, there's more!" Most states also require an exam on the legal aspects of dental hygiene
practice.
Job Outlook
Nationally, dental hygienists rank among the fastest growing occupations. Jobs are expected to grow 36 percent
from 2008 to 2018. Demand is expected due to population growth, elderly people increasingly retaining more teeth,
and the switch to preventative dental care.
Employment and earnings
Dental hygienists held 174,100 jobs as of May 2009. Just over half (51 percent) worked part time, and almost all
the jobs (96 %) were in dental offices. The remaining few worked for employment services, in physician's offices, or
in other industries.
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation are shown below:
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation are as follows:
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