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Dental Hygienist Job Description

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Overview

dental hygienist
201
The number of occurrences in our database.
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A dental hygienist works with dentists to ensure the oral health of their patients. A dental hygienist has responsibilities that include health and cancer screenings, cleaning teeth, performing preventative treatments on teeth, teaching about oral hygiene and good nutrition, making teeth impressions, and dental charting.

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Steps to take to start your career as a Dental Hygienist and other jobs like it

  • Enroll in an accredited dental hygiene program, typically leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Some programs offer bachelor's or even master's degrees, which can enhance job prospects and advancement opportunities. During your program, you’ll complete hands-on clinical training, learning to perform tasks such as cleaning teeth, taking X-rays, and educating patients about oral hygiene.
  • Study for and take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), which tests your knowledge in areas such as clinical dental hygiene, dental radiography, and patient management. A passing score on the NBDHE is required for licensure. In addition to the written national exam, you must pass a clinical licensing exam. This typically involves demonstrating your skills in a live patient or simulated environment. Clinical exam requirements can vary by state, so make sure to review the specific requirements for the state where you intend to practice.
  • Apply for licensure in the state where you plan to work. This process generally includes submitting proof of education and exam results, as well as any additional documentation required by the state dental board. Be prepared to pay application fees and meet any additional state-specific requirements, which may include background checks or additional exams.
  • You’re now ready to start work as a dental hygienist. Dental practices come in different sizes so find one that has a size, culture, work schedule and pay that appeals most to you. Also, most states require dental hygienists to complete continuing education courses to renew their licenses so you’ll need to stay on top of this as well through your career.
Hear from someone who’s had the job or one like it
"If you're passionate about healthcare and want a job that offers flexibility, becoming a dental hygienist might be a great fit for you! Learn what a typical day looks like, the pros and cons of the job, and some challenges to be aware of. "
Career Video Transcript
Examples of Current Open Dental Hygienist Positions
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indeedImg
Avg Pay: $103K
Jobs: 0
glassdoor
Avg Pay: $111K
Jobs: 9,788

Education you need to become a Dental Hygienist

These are the most common degrees or certificates earned by Jobtrees users prior to becoming a Dental Hygienist

There may be other required degrees or certifications needed for this job. The below info shows you the most commonly desired education level from employers when hiring for this job.

  • Bachelor Degree in Dental Hygiene
    The number of occurrences matches with Dental Hygienist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:44 monthsAvg. Fees:$27,776Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Bachelor of Science (b.sc.) in Dental Hygiene
    The number of occurrences matches with Dental Hygienist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:44 monthsAvg. Fees:$27,776Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Associate Degree in Science
    The number of occurrences matches with Dental Hygienist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:24 monthsAvg. Fees:$11,470Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Associate Degree in General Studies
    The number of occurrences matches with Dental Hygienist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:30 monthsAvg. Fees:$18,910Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Bachelor Degree in Applied Science
    The number of occurrences matches with Dental Hygienist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:47 monthsAvg. Fees:$24,547Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
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Annual Pay Estimate for Dental Hygienist and Other Important Info

See how many years Dental Hygienist's are in their job, how much they make, how long it took to get there and how available this job is in terms of open positions.

8.5 years
$107K
The average years of experience in the workforce prior to having this role
3.93 years
Experienced
The average number of roles it took our users to get to this one
3
624 out of 4016

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Career Paths for Dental Hygienist

Find data driven insights on the path to get to this role and where it can lead

Jobs to start your career in becoming a Dental Hygienist

These are the most common roles Jobtrees users had to start their career that eventually lead them to Dental Hygienist. If you’re looking to get into this career these are jobs to consider to get your start. We’ve included below some current open job postings that match those roles. Click to search for more.