Today's Dental Hygienist

Working as a dental hygienist is one of the most rewarding, exciting and flexible careers out there, and the job market has never looked better. From advising patients on oral health to cleaning teeth and administering local anesthetic, there are virtually limitless opportunities to explore in this awesome and ever changing career.

While each state has their own requirements for licensure, there are come common threads and generalities that can be helpful in deciding if this may be a good career choice to look into. Most states require board administered licensing examinations, and the most common educational track to take to prepare for this test is through an Associates degree.

Many schools offer Bachelor’s programs, but both routes are considered as entry points into the field, and are equally beneficial. Four year degree programs offer a broader range of options in peripheral aspects of the field, but the skills and scope of practice are the same either way. In each case, this is one of the most popular degree programs available, and many offer flexible scheduling and competitive tuition rates, making it highly accessible for working adults.

The job outlook for dental hygienists for the next few years is excellent, and this field is expected to grow much faster than others. Additionally, with the new healthcare legislation coming into effect, the effects on the dental industry is expected to be enormous. This is one of the main reasons that this is a very attractive career choice for many busy adults who like working with and caring for people.

Most hygienists work in dental offices and take care of a wide range of responsibilities, depending on the state they work in. Most commonly, they clean and treat teeth, interpret x-rays, offer nutritional and oral care advise, and do a wide range of tasks the dentist requires. Some states allow hygienists to examine the mouth for disease as well as providing after care for patients.

One of the most flexible jobs out there, nearly half of all hygienists work part time, and many work outside of the office in various capacities. Additionally, hygienists enjoy good salaries, ranging form about $30,000 a year to start with no experience to over $90,000 in some cases, depending on degree and experience earned. It is a fast growing and continually evolving field, as well as one that is highly competitive.