If you are reading this article, chances are, you want to know more about dental hygienists and their earnings. In that case, you are in the right place. From the outset, dental hygienists is an excellent career option with lots of opportunities. In the U.S., it’s ranked as one of the professions with the highest growth rate. And indeed, employment prospects are equally better. With that in mind, let’s see what an average dental hygienist salary looks like among other information about this practice, so read on.
What Kind of Work Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
The primary job is to treat dental diseases, clean teeth, and give preventive oral hygiene procedures. They usually work with a dentist or dental doctor and provide services through them. Besides that, a dental hygienist should have the following traits: creative and likes socializing with people.
Their job description includes doing things such as removing and cleaning deposits from teeth. Others are stain cleaning, under gums cleaning and checking for signs of oral cancer. Since they advocate for oral hygiene, they may be required to teach about good oral practice in schools or community groups once in a while. Of course, they don’t do it alone; a dentist helps out.
They can also do things like preparing tests, hand over tools to the dentist, do x-rays, administer fluoride treatments, among other duties. However, it depends more with your work environment. Mostly they work from the dentist office. The other likely place to find a dental hygienist is in a doctor’s office. But that does not mean they can not work from any other place.
How to Become a Dental Hygienist
As mentioned earlier, a dental hygienist must be an interactive person and can work in private practice, under a dentist directive. They can also be in community health centers, schools, childcare centers, facilities for the ageing, and many places. How does that sound? If it’s great, let’s know what you need to do before you become one.
Education and Training Requirements
Belonging to this hygienist largely depends on completing your education and training requirements. Plus, passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
To gain your certificate or degree, you need to attend either a community or technical college, dental schools, or universities. Most of the community programs take a minimum of two years to complete. Successful ones receive an associate degree. After this, they can go for licensure examinations to become licensed and eligible to work in any dental office.
A university program may have an opportunity to pursue a baccalaureate and master’s degree. Generally, this requires two more years of schooling. The additional degree comes in handy if you want to venture into teaching or research. On the same note, it’s a requirement for clinical practice, especially in schools or public health programs.
Admission requirements vary, but what’s constant is the prerequisite courses. They include health, biology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, and speech. All of which are beneficial for this career. Most programs have a preference for those who have gone to college for at least one year. Similarly, a baccalaureate degree program accepts applicants who finish two years in college before enrolling in dental hygiene programs.
Accreditation
The only agency approved by USDE to accredit all dental hygiene programs is the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In the U.S., they have hundreds of CODA-accredited programs.
Examination and Licensure
Each state awards license to dental hygienists in working within their jurisdiction. Most states insist a hygienist must be graduates of the Commission of Dental Education. One of the accredited hygiene programs eligible for state licensure. Likewise, all states require candidates to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination before licensure. On top of that, the regional examination or the state, test candidate’s skills in clinical dental hygiene and knowledge on related subjects.
After all these, you can use the R.D.H. after your names, which signify state recognition as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
Average Dental Hygienist Salary in the U.S., U.K., and Canada
A qualified hygienist in the United States earns an average dental hygienist salary of $75,339 per annum. However, the wages range from $65,431 to $85,664. The salary variance depends on several factors. Apart from education, the rest are certification, additional skills, and years of experience.
Their colleagues in the United Kingdom earn an average dental hygienist salary of 46,500 GBP yearly. Similar to the U.S., their salary varies too. The lowest amount being 21,400 GBP while 74,000 GBP is the highest. It is also good to note; the mentioned salaries are inclusive of housing, transport, plus other benefits.
Profession based in Canada receive fair pay; in this case, the average salary is $75,075 per annum. On an hourly basis, it translates to $38.50 per hour. Fresh entrants earn a starting salary of $58,500 while experienced rack up to $94,575 per annum.
Is Dental Hygienist a Good Career?
Yes, it is a promising career with lots of possibilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (B.L.S.), predicts an impressive 20% between 2016 and 2026. Yet, it’s not the only reason to pursue this career. And very recently, Dental hygienists ranked number two as the Best Health Care Support Jobs in the U.S. News & World Report2. Meaning, it’s an attractive career with competitive salaries and flexible schedules.
It’s a fulfilling career with opportunities to advance your career. Besides, it gives you the satisfaction of working and helping people from all walks of life regardless of the age bracket.
Conclusion
A career in this field of health is both rewarding and challenging. It opens doors to a range of opportunities that you would have never known if you never practiced. Again, you work in various settings and work schedules, depending on the offer. With both part and full-time jobs available, you are the only person missing. So be quick and join the bandwagon.
But due to this field’s nature, workers do not enjoy benefits like health insurance, unless you work full time. But all the same, the average dental hygienist salary remains an excellent motivation to continue fighting oral diseases. Learn more about the Orthodontist Assistant Salary.