Dental Hygienists

Career summary

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Dental hygienists discuss general health issues with patients and update dental charts. They inspect patients' teeth for deposits and decay, and look for any shrinkage or disease in the gums.

Hygienists take x-rays by positioning the camera at different angles around the head and mouth. They also develop the film. Dentists use x-rays to diagnose problems and plan treatments.

Hygienists use dental instruments to:

• Clean plaque and various stains from teeth
• Clean and scale teeth
• Scale roots
• Apply sealants
• Apply fluoride

Sometimes hygienists apply numbing agents to a patient's gums before the dentist administers an anesthesia. Some hygienists are licensed to administer local anesthesia.

Dental hygienists write detailed notes in each patient chart, including any concerns they may find. They counsel clients about dental health.

They may also teach dental health education for school children and other members of the community.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Dental Assistants
• Dentists
• Medical Assistants
• Occupational Therapist Assistants
• Pharmacy Technicians
• Physical Therapist Aides
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Radiologic Technologists
• Surgical Technologists

Military careers

• Dental Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to dental hygienists.

• Clean patient's teeth using dental instruments.
• Feel and visually examine gums and under chin for signs of disease.
• Update charts to track patients' oral health.
• Apply fluoride and sealant to patients' teeth.
• Test gums for signs of gum disease.
• Take and develop x-rays.
• Perform final surface work on fillings.
• Apply numbing agents to gums.
• Prepare patient's mouth for surgery or other dental procedures. Place rubber dams and temporary dental work.
• Remove stitches, gauze, and rubber dams following dental procedures.
• Teach patients about various methods for care of teeth and mouth.
• Make models of teeth.
• Take part in community dental health programs.
• Stay current by reading dental research and related literature.

Common work activities

Dental hygienists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Get information needed to do the job
• Document and record information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Evaluate information against standards
• Perform for or work with the public
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Handle and move objects
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Control machines and processes
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Use computers
• Schedule work and activities
• Process information
• Teach others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, dental hygienists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with clients and coworkers.
• Are responsible for others' health and safety.
• Work as part of a dental team.
• Communicate with patients daily by telephone and in person.
• Write letters and memos on a weekly basis.
• May occasionally be placed in conflict situations in which others may be rude or unpleasant.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Always wear protective attire. They wear masks, safety glasses, and rubber gloves to protect themselves and their clients from diseases.
• Are always exposed to diseases and infections from their contact with clients.
• Are often exposed to radiation, such as when x-raying clients' teeth.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• Work very near other people and have little space between self and others.
• Are often exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels.
• Sometimes must get into awkward positions to reach patients' teeth.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Errors could seriously endanger the health of patients.
• Repeat the same tasks over and over, such as cleaning patients' teeth and applying fluoride.
• Can make most decisions and set most tasks without consulting a supervisor.
• Make decisions that have major effects on their patients.
• Always make decisions that affect the image of the dental office.

Hours/travel

• May work full time or part time.
• May work days, evenings, or weekends.
• May work for more than one dental office.

Physical demands

Dental hygienists frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Sit for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for dental hygienists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for dental hygienists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.

Skills and abilities

Dental hygienists need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Dental Hygiene

Other programs of study to consider

• Dental Assisting

Training

To work as a dental hygienist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete a dental hygiene program; and
• pass a state licensing exam.

Education after high school

Most dental hygiene programs take two years to complete and grant an associate degree. Some four-year programs grant a bachelor's or master's degree. Programs are available at professional-technical schools, colleges, and dental schools.

In a dental hygiene program, you study anatomy, radiology, and nutrition. You also learn how to use dental tools and equipment. During training, you get hands-on experience working with patients in a clinic.

About half of the programs require applicants to complete at least one year of college.

On-the-job training

Some employers provide additional training to new hygienists. Training often lasts up to three months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be dental specialists. Training lasts from nine to 14 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Computer Fundamentals
• Dental Assisting
• Health Education
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Dental hygienists must have a state license. One must successfully pass an approved training program and then pass written and clinical exams to receive a license. Employers prefer people who can work well with a variety of people.

Many employers will hire you upon graduation from a dental hygiene program. However, some employers require you to have one or two years of experience.

Costs to workers

Dental hygienists may join a professional association and pay annual dues. Some workers may have to pay for uniforms. They also must pay for malpractice insurance, licensing, exams, and continuing education to maintain licensing.

Licensing/certification

Dental hygienists can become licensed in the State of Washington after meeting educational and examination requirements. Licensing requirements include:

• graduation from a Commission on Dental Accreditation approved dental hygiene educational program; or an accredited program which includes competency in administration of local anesthetics and nitrous oxide, the preparation and placement of dental restorations in cavities, and carving, contouring, and adjusting contacts and occlusions of restorations;
• passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination;
• passing Washington examination on laws pertaining to the practice of dental hygiene and the administration of legend drugs;
• passing the written and practical Western Regional Board examination for basic hygiene, local anesthetics, and restorative procedures;
• seven hours of AIDS education; and
• 15-clock hours of continuing education annually, including CPR training and proof of current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, for licensing renewal.

For more information, contact the Western Regional Examination Board 

The state application exam fee to become licensed is $100 and the annual renewal fee is $50. The exam fees for the Western Regional Examination Board vary depending on the type of examination and location.

For information on the National Dental Board Hygiene Examinations, contact:

Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations 
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-2637
800.232.1694

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For more information on state requirements, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Dental Hygiene Program 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504
360.236.4700

#removed exam costs, state fees okay, 3/5/15 lh. Licensing info ok 4/4/16, 3/7/18 cj. updt urls, no change to fees 3/18/19 lh

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Dental Hygienists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Hygienists may be paid by the client, day, or by the hour. Many hygienists work part time and some are paid a combination of salary and commission.

Hygienists' wages also depend on the hours they work and their responsibilities. Their level of education and the area of the country where they work also affect their wages.

Benefits vary by employer. Full-time hygienists may receive paid vacation, sick days, and health insurance. Part-time hygienists generally are paid a wage, but do not receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

State Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Private dental offices

National outlook

As the population grows, the demand for dental services will increase. New health care regulations mean that more people have insurance that includes dental coverage.

Job prospects for dental hygienists will be very good. Besides growth in the occupation, many more job openings will arise from the need to replace dental hygienists who leave the field. However, competition for jobs may be strong in areas with large numbers of dental hygiene programs. Prospects will be the best for those who are willing to relocate to underserved areas.

Other resources

American Dental Association 
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.440.2500

American Dental Hygienists' Association 
444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60611
312.440.8900

Dental Hygienist Career information 

Dental Work: Careers in Oral Care 
Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Outlook, March 2020

Explore Health Careers: Dental Hygientist 

Washington State Dental Hygienists' Association 
PO Box 389
Lynnwood, WA 98046
425.771.3201

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Dental Hygienists (29-2021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Dental Hygienist (078.361-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Realistic/Conventional

COPSystem

• Science Skilled
• Service Professional