Being a dental hygienist is one of the noble professions in the health sector, which, in my personal opinion, is a good career choice for anyone interested in walking that path.
Now, if you are interested in pursuing a career in dental hygiene, you might face the question of how much they earn annually. Well, you do not need to worry anymore because we can put together this article to answer this question specifically.
This article on “how much money does a dental hygienist make?” also contains other details about becoming a dental hygienist, like the duties of a dental hygienist and how to become a dental hygienist.
So, wasting no time, let’s dive right into the content of this article.
Table of contents
- Who Is A Dental Hygienist?
- What Does A Dental Hygienist Do?
- Is Dental Hygienist A Good Occupation?
- How Do I Become A Dental Hygienist?
- What Will I Study To Become A Dental Hygienist?
- What are the Types of Dental Hygienist Degrees?
- How to Get Your Dental Hygiene License
- How Much Does Dental Hygienist Make?
- Conclusion
- References
Who Is A Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is one who works in collaboration with a dentist to provide oral care. A dental hygienist cleans patients’ teeth as well as probes them for damage, diseases, or infection.
When you step into a dental clinic, you spend most of your time with the dental hygienist. He/she is also responsible for educating patients about the importance of maintaining good oral health, especially children.
The duties of a dental hygienist sometimes go beyond these few, but it all depends on the state in which they license you to practice.
If you’re applying to become a dental hygienist, check out our Updated Dental Hygienist Job Description For 2022
What Does A Dental Hygienist Do?
A dental hygienist has an array of responsibilities as it pertains to the dental health of patients.
Dental hygienists assess the oral health of patients by conducting a series of cleaning and inspection procedures.
They also collaborate with the dentists when needed, as well as with patients to maintain good oral health by educating the patients on proper oral hygiene practices.
A dental hygienist should be patient, positive, handy, and detail-oriented. They should also possess remarkable teamwork and decision-making skills, which are essential for carrying out their various duties.
They also task them with staying on their feet for long periods of time because of the nature of their jobs.
Here are some more of the duties and responsibility of a dental hygienist:
- Clean and remove plaque, tartar, and stains from a patient’s teeth
- Perform and develop dental X-rays
- Conduct a preliminary patient exam and assist a dentist as needed
- Administer local anesthetics to patients prior to their procedures
- Apply fluorides and sealants to a patient’s teeth
- Document patient treatment plans and overall care
- Assess a patient’s oral health
- Educate patients on good oral hygiene
- Communicate with dentists regarding dental findings on their patients
- Use a variety of hand, power, and ultrasonic tools to perform their job duties
You can also check out these exclusive templates: Dental Assistant Job Description Template
Is Dental Hygienist A Good Occupation?
According to the BLS, employment in the field of dental hygiene will grow by a tremendous 19% from 2014 to 2024, which, according to statistics, is faster than the average of all occupations.
Research also shows that the need for preventive dental services would continue to increase. These data suggest that the dental hygienist career prospect is high and is here to stay and is indeed a good career path.
Are you surgeon and wondering how much a surgeon can earn? Check out; How Much Money Do Surgeons Make?
How Do I Become A Dental Hygienist?
To become a dental hygienist, you would require an associate degree in dental hygiene as well as a state licensure.
If you wish to advance in your career as a dental hygienist, however, you would need to get a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in dental hygiene.
With these degrees, you, as a dental hygienist, you are open to other scopes of dental hygiene beyond the office, that is, teaching and research. No matter where you live, you will need to be licensed to practice, though specific requirements may vary.
The minimum level of education you require to earn your license and become a licensed dental hygienist is an associate’s degree. No matter what degree you possess, you would need to attend a program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
What Will I Study To Become A Dental Hygienist?
According to CODA, all accredited programs must include the following course areas: general education, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, and dental hygiene science.
Each of these areas is further broken down to thoroughly cover all the required sections to be a good dental hygienist. What are the topics covered by these general areas?
- General Education – Oral and written communication, psychology, and sociology
- Biomedical Science – Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pathology and/or pathophysiology, nutrition, and pharmacology
- Dental Science – Tooth morphology, oral embryology and histology, oral pathology, radiography, periodontology, pain management, and dental materials
- Dental Hygiene Science – Oral health education and preventative counseling, health promotion, patient management, community oral health, medical and dental emergencies, infection and hazard control, clinical dental hygiene, provision of services for patients with special needs and bloodborne diseases, and the legal and ethical principles of dental hygiene practice
No matter the degree you choose, you will need to cover these courses. However, if you decide to go for an advanced degree, you are at liberty to change your education further.
You can work towards systemic dental conditions, dental health theory and research, or pediatric oral health.
What are the Types of Dental Hygienist Degrees?
If you choose to pursue a career in dental hygiene, then you will also need to know the various types of degrees you can earn on your journey to becoming a dental hygienist.
The various degrees you could get to become a dental hygienist include:
- (DHA) Dental Hygienist Associate’s Degree
- Dental Hygienist Bachelor’s Degree
- Dental Hygienist Master’s Degree
The length of time it takes to complete a degree in dental hygiene depends on the degree you choose to pursue, but in a typical situation, it takes about two to four years to get a degree in dental hygiene.
How to Get Your Dental Hygiene License
If you have gained all the necessary educational requirements to be a dental hygienist, then the next step would be for you to get licensed by the state you wish to practice in.
After your graduation from an accredited program, you will be required to write and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. This examination comprises 350 multiple-choice questions broken into 2 components. One is based on discipline and the other is based on cases.
They score the examination on a scale of 49 to 99, with a minimum score of 75 for passing. Based on the state where you wish to work, you would be required to write a clinical based exam that tests your knowledge and proficiency in basic hygiene procedures, anesthesia, and restorative techniques.
Besides all these, you might be required to take a compulsory drug and law test that is based on the rules and regulations of the specific state you are in. Passing all these tests and exams would earn you your license as a registered dental hygienist (RDH).
It is also important to note that you would be required to renew your dental hygienist license every 1-3 years.
Fee Involved
There are some required fees you would need to pay as well as provide proof that you have completed the required number of continuing education hours, which depends on the state you are in.
The required number of hours of continuing education is somewhere between 10 to 20 hours for every 1-year cycle, 30 to 50 hours for a 2-year cycle, and about 60 hours for a 3-year cycle.
The topics and courses in this continuing education program is dependent on the state you are and can range from CPR to infection control. The American Dental Association (ADA) has various opportunities available for you to earn your continuing education.
You don’t have to worry about attending physical classes because there is an array of online classes available as well as live courses that you can take with diverse topics.
How Much Does Dental Hygienist Make?
You might wonder after all this, how much a dental hygienist makes. Well, it’s probably the reason you started with this article. Well, here it is.
An average dental hygienist earns about $77,335 per year in the United States. This value typically ranges between $67,167 and $87,954.
Salary ranges are because of variations in certain factors, which include but are not restricted to education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Conclusion
From the above article, to have been served information not only on the amount an average dental hygienist earns in a year but also on how to navigate your path if you eventually choose to become a dental hygienist.
The occupation of a dental hygienist is a noble one and would go a long way in the coming years.
So, if you choose to get on board, it is definitely not a wrong choice and it pays well to, so why not.
References
- concorde.edu– path to becoming a dental-hygienist a-step-by-step-guide
- healthcare-administration-degree.net– what is a dental-hygienist
- allalliedhealthschools.com– how-to-become-a-dental-hygienist
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