I assist students in a variety of ways to help them attain their educational goals.
CAREER
Dental Hygienists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$77,090
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+5.9% (as fast as the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Associate's degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Dental Hygienists Do
Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.
Other Job Titles Dental Hygienists May Have
Dental Hygienist, Hygienist, Licensed Dental Hygienist, Pediatric Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I see anywhere from 11-13 patients in a day. I get 40 minutes per patient to take any necessary xrays and clean their teeth. We go over home care and if there needs to be any changes or areas that need attention. I also treat periodontal disease and help those patients prevent the progression of the disease.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Record and review patient medical histories.
- Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Dental Hygienists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Associate's degree (51%)
Some college, no degree
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
People skills, mentoring, and administrative skills.
Taking has many science courses as you can. Dental Hygiene school is demanding so learning time management and discipline is helpful. I learned this through playing sports growing up and in high school. You are part of a program and the dedication it took.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Enjoy science classes and have a passion for helping people.
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
