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Dental hygienists are licensed professionals who specialize in preventive oral care and typically focus on techniques in oral hygiene. It's a highly sought after job, especially for accomplished professionals. This guide will give you some basic information on how to become a dental hygienist and how much you can expect to make when entering this field.
Dental Hygienist Salary Information:
According to industry standards you can expect to make around $65,000 and more as a dental hygienist. Of course how much you can expect to earn depends on variables such as where you live and how much experience you have. If you are looking to get into the dental field then this type of job is a good way to enter the industry. The outlook is very and there will always be people who are having problems with their teeth so there should always be a need for this profession.
Dental Hygienist Education Requirements:
To be a licensed dental hygienist, you must have graduated from a dental hygiene program, with either an associate degree, a certificate, or a bachelor's degree from a dental hygienist school that is accredited by the American Dental Association which is also know as the ADA. You can also get a masters in the field. Typically, most dental hygienists go for an associates degree or certificate. This usually takes around two years to complete. There are currently 200 accredited programs to become a dental hygienist in the United States. They include plenty of night school and online courses so you can work around your school. This really helps, especially when it comes to the more basic classes. Once you graduate, you will have to sit for an two exams from your local state board. The exams will let you practice in that state. The first exam called the written exam will be given by the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination while the clinical examination will be administered by the state licensing board. After you pass, you will be fully ready to go out there and start your career.
Dental Hygienist Work Environment:
Most dental hygienists will find themselves working in a nice dental office that is clean and sterile because this is a profession in the medical field. A dental hygienist would have you working directly with a dentist who will give you instructions on what duties to perform. You will need to be up to date on all of the safety procedures and on top of all the different types of equipment you will be using. You will also have to work close with other staff members which might include assistants and receptionists as well as the patients.
Once you get started and employed as a dental hygienist you can always advance your position into a better paying position by getting more specializations and education. This field is highly stable and will have no problem finding employment if you choose this career path.
Additional Resources:
Hygienist Salary |
