According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the dental hygienist occupation is expected to grow 36 percent by the year 2018, which is a significantly higher growth rate than all other occupations. This exceptional growth rate promises an abundance of career opportunities for those willing to plan, train, and work for them…
You, perhaps?
Growth of this Profession
There are many reasons why the dental hygienist profession is slated for such phenomenal growth. Our aged population is not only growing, but an increasing number of them are choosing to retain their natural teeth. Consequently, more dental hygienists (experts in dental care) will be needed to help them to accomplish these goals. Moreover, as the benefits of preventative dental care is increasingly being stressed to all segments of society—children through the elderly—more of the public will seek out the types of preventative dental care that is the province of dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienist Job Description
Using a number of different instruments and treatment options, dental hygienists remove both hard and soft deposits—such as tarter, plague, and stains—from patients’ teeth. They also examine patients’ teeth and gums for any abnormalities, and record and present these finding to the dentist to analyze. They also typically instruct patients in proper dental hygiene habits.
Depending upon the state and dental office, dental hygienists may also:
- Assist during a dental exam (similar to a dental assistant)
- Administer anesthetics to patients
- Prepare fillings
- Place temporary fillings
- Perform root planning
- Apply cavity-prevention treatments
- Apply periodontal dressings
- Remove sutures
- Prepare laboratory diagnostic tests
- Smooth and polish dental restorations
In order to adequately perform their jobs, dental hygienists must use a variety of hand and rotary tools, ultrasonic devices, and x-ray machines. Consequently, they must have exceptional manual dexterity skills in order to successfully manipulate these instruments inside the tight confines of patients’ mouths.
Work Environment
Dental hygienists work in clean, well-lit offices where they are expected to stand or to sit for long periods of time while performing dental procedures on patients. In addition, there are a number of health and safety rules and regulations that those in the dental profession must observe. For instance, they must wear gloves, surgical masks, and safety glasses to minimize the spread of germs and infectious diseases.
The work schedules of dental hygienist’s are subject to much fluctuation. Most dental hygienists do not work traditional schedules. Rather, they may be expected to work nights, early mornings, afternoons, weekends, part-time, full-time, or a combination of all of these.
Salary Expectations
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “[m]edian annual wages of dental hygienists were $66,570 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $55,220 and $78,990. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $44,180 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,470.”
The salary expectations of dental hygienists, however, may vary quite a bit depending upon geographical location, dental office, and years of experience. But even at the low end of the wage scale, dental hygienists have higher salaries than many other occupations, which makes this profession well worth your time and effort to pursue.
Good luck!
