Dental hygienists clean teeth and teach clients how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Did you know that you have eight to twelve more teeth as an adult than as a kid? Until you reach about six years old, you have 20 primary or "baby" teeth. Then, they start falling out (and the tooth fairy comes) and are replaced with adult teeth. Most adults have all 28 permanent teeth by their late teens. Then, around age 20, four more teeth usually come in the "wisdom teeth." Hopefully before this happens you've been to the dentist a few times already! Chances are, you started getting regular dental check-ups as a young child. Perhaps you've been going to the same one for years. This means that you probably know your hygienist well. Dental hygienists are a very important part of your dental care. You may even know your hygienist more than your dentist!
Dental hygienists discuss general health issues with clients and update dental charts. They inspect clients' teeth for deposits and decay, and look for any shrinkage or disease in the gums. They look to see if the gums and lymph nodes under the chin show any swelling or other signs of cancer. When x-rays need updating, or when there are new clients, hygienists take x-rays. They take great care to position the camera at different angles around the head and mouth. They also develop film for dentists to use as they diagnose problems and plan treatments.
Hygienists use dental instruments to clean plaque and various stains from teeth, in preparation for the dentist. Part of that preparation may include applying numbing agents to a client's gums. They do this so the dentist may administer an injection with the least amount of discomfort to the client. Hygienists also apply fluoride to children's teeth.
Finally, dental hygienists finish work the dentist does not complete. Examples include removing excess cement from tooth surfaces or polishing fillings. They report what work they do to the dentist, including any other concerns they may find. They counsel clients about dental health. They may teach dental health education for school children and other members of the community.
Data source: Edited information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; professional association career education materials; O*NET
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.
Watch a short Career Video
Sample job titles in this occupation
Dental Hygienist
Oral Hygienist
Dental Nurse
RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist)
Hygienist
Registered Dental Hygienist
Data source: Unedited O*NET job description; Occupation video from New Jersey Center for Occupational Employment Information
Task List
Typical Occupation Tasks
The following list of occupational tasks is specific to dental hygienists.
• Take and develop x-rays.
• Examine teeth and gums.
• Feel and visually examine gums and under chin for signs of disease.
• Clean teeth, using dental instruments.
• Teach clients about various methods for care of teeth and mouth.
• Advise dentist of findings by updating client charts.
• Apply fluoride and sealant to clients' teeth.
• Apply numbing agents to gums.
• Complete work the dentist started, such as polishing fillings.
• Take part in community dental health programs.
• Stay current by reading dental research and related literature.
Data source: Edited O*NET task statements
Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
Apply fluorides and other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
Expose and develop x-ray film.
Provide clinical services and health education to improve and maintain oral health of school children.
Place, carve, and finish amalgam restorations.
Administer local anesthetic agents.
Remove excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth.
Make impressions for study casts.
Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist.
Remove sutures and dressings.
Place and remove rubber dams, matrices, and temporary restorations.
Emerging Task: Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
Emerging Task: Maintain patient recall system.
Emerging Task: Record and review patient medical histories.
The O*NET provides additional details for most occupations. It includes ranked areas that feature interests, skills, work values, knowledge, abilities, and work activities. Click here to see the additional information..
Data source: Unedited O*NET task statements
Common Work Activities
Important Work Activities
Dental hygienists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many occupations.
• Assist and care for others.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Work with the public.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Explain the meaning of information to others.
• Document and record information.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Coach others.
• Perform administrative tasks.
• Coordinate the work and activities of others.
• Train and teach others.
Data source: Edited O*NET Generalized Work Activities
Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Coaching and Developing Others
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Performing Administrative Activities
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Data source: Unedited O*NET Generalized Work Activities
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.
• Deal with external customers.
• Are responsible for others' health and safety.
Physical Work Conditions • Always work indoors.
• Often wear masks, safety glasses, and rubber gloves to protect themselves and their clients from diseases.
• Are often exposed to diseases and infections from their contact with clients. There is a low likelihood of slight injury because hygienists wear protective gear.
• Are sometimes exposed to radiation, such as when x-raying clients' teeth. However, there is a low likelihood of slight injury.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants. However, risk is reduced by following safety procedures.
Work Performance • Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Errors could seriously endanger the health of clients.
• Repeat the same tasks over and over, such as cleaning patients' teeth and applying fluoride.
Hours/Travel
• May work full time or part time.
• May work days, evenings, or weekends.
• May work for more than one dental office.
Data source: Edited O*NET Working Conditions; Edited information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. Full-time, part-time, evening, and weekend schedules are widely available. Dentists frequently hire hygienists to work only 2 or 3 days a week, so hygienists may hold jobs in more than one dental office. Dental hygienists work in clean, well-lighted offices. Important health safeguards include strict adherence to proper radiological procedures, and the use of appropriate protective devices when administering anesthetic gas. Dental hygienists also wear safety glasses, surgical masks, and gloves to protect themselves and patients from infectious diseases.
Data source: Unedited Occupational Outlook Handbook information.
Physical Demands
Important Abilities
Dental hygienists frequently: • Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Sit or stand while assisting dentist.
• Repeat the same motions.
• Bend or twist the body when operating equipment or examining patients.
It is important for dental hygienists to be able to: • Make fast, simple, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists, such as when cleaning clients' teeth.
• Use hands or fingers to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in one place.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
It is not as important, but still necessary, for dental hygienists to be able to: • Recognize and understand the speech of another person.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between
t
hem.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Data source: Edited O*NET Abilities
Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Selective Attention
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Extent Flexibility
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Data source: Unedited O*NET Abilities
Skills and Abilities
Important Skills
Dental hygienists need to:
Communicate • Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
Reason and Problem Solve • Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw
conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Use Math and Science • Use scientific methods to solve problems.
Manage Oneself, People, Time, and Things • Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Work with People • Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Use several methods to teach new things.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Look for ways to help people.
Work with Things • Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Data source: Edited O*NET Skills and Abilities
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Data source: Unedited O*NET Skills and Abilities
Knowledge
Important Areas of Knowledge
Dental hygienists need knowledge in the following areas:
• Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of injuries, illnesses, and defects. Also includes the knowledge of setting up a plan for treatment.
• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• Biology: Knowledge of plants, animals, and living organisms and how they function.
• Education and Training: Knowledge of teaching and the methods involved in learning and instruction.
• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.
• Psychology: Knowledge of people, their actions, and mental processes. This may include knowledge of how to treat emotional and behavioral problems.
• Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of advertising and selling products and services.
• Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of protecting people, data, and property.
Data source: Edited O*NET Knowledge statements
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Data source: Unedited O*NET Knowledge statements
Preparation
Education, Experience, and Training
To work as a dental hygienist, you must:
have a high school diploma or GED;
complete a dental hygiene program;
pass a state exam to get a license;
have good interpersonal skills; and
be able to work as part of a team.
Formal Education
Most dental hygiene programs take two years to complete and grant an associate's degree. Some four-year programs grant a bachelor's or master's degree. Programs are available at community and four-year colleges and universities.
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.
Military Training
The military is a good source of training for this occupation. In the military, you can get training in dental hygiene and radiology. You also learn dental office procedures. Training lasts from nine to 14 weeks.
Data source: Edited information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; professional association career education materials; O*NET
Typically requires training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. May require a bachelor's degree. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this occupation. Employees in this occupation usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Data source: Unedited O*NET job zone information
Helpful High School Courses
If you are interested in this occupation, you should take courses in high school that prepare you to enter college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. UNL, UNK, and UNO require two years of a foreign language and three years of science. UNL requires four years of math.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this specific occupation. While you do not have to take all of them, you should consider them in course planning. Some of these courses are also available at colleges.
Computer and Information Sciences
Basic Computer
Business Computer Applications
General Computer Applications
English Language and Literature
American Literature
British Literature
Business Communication
Composition
English and Language Arts (Four years)
Public Speaking
Technical Writing
Family and Consumer Sciences
Human Development
Nutrition and Foods
Foreign Language
French
German
Japanese
Latin
Russian
Spanish
Health and Physical Fitness
Health
Mathematics
Algebra I and II
Business Math
Geometry
Pre-Calculus
Probability and Statistics
Calculus
Trigonometry
Social Sciences and History
American Government
American History
Economics
Modern Problems
Political Science
Sociology
World History
Psychology
Cultural/Ethnic Studies
Humanities
Data source: Edited information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; professional association career education materials; Nebraska college catalogs, analyst judgment
Hiring Practices
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.
Data source: Professional associations; analyst judgment
Licensing/Certification
All states require dental hygienists to be licensed. In Nebraska , to obtain licensure as a dental hygienist, one must:
• Graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program
• Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam
• Pass the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) practical licensure exam
• Pass a jurisprudence exam covering state laws related to dentistry
• Submit a notarized application with character self-report stating license
evocations, misdemeanors, or felonies, etc.
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Pay $100 license fee plus up to $2 License Assistance Fee
• Pay the $130 NBD Hygiene exam fee
• Pay the $610 CRDTS exam fee
Dental hygienists must renew their license every two years. To renew licensure, one must:
• Meet the requirements for continuing education
• Pay a $112 license renewal fee
For more information, contact:
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Regulation & Licensure
Credentialing Division / Dentistry and Dental Hygiene
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
Phone: 402.471.2118
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/crl/medical/dent/hygiene/hygiene.htm
American Dental Association
211 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago , IL 60611-2678
Phone: 312-440-2500
http://www.ada.org
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)
Via the American Dental Association
Phone: 312-440-2500
http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/natboardhyg/index.asp
Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS)
1725 SW Gage Blvd.
Topeka , KS 66604 -3333
Phone: 785.273.0380
http://www.crdts.org
Data source: National or Nebraska licensing agencies
Wages
In Nebraska , the median wage for dental hygienists is $51,143 per year. Eighty percent of all dental hygienists earn between $28,248 and $65,998 per year.
Area
Hourly
Annual
Balance of State
$22.48
$46,762
Central
$16.11
$33,500
Lincoln
$24.69
$51,359
Northeast
$24.93
$51,865
Omaha
$28.32
$58,903
Southeast
$23.86
$49,623
Information was not available for those regions that do not appear.
Nationally, the median wage for dental hygienists is $4,610 per month ($26.59 per hour). Half of all dental hygienists earn between $3,810 and $5,630 per month ($21.96 and $32.48 per hour).
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.
How much hygienists are paid depends 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.
Data source: National Occupational Employment Statistics and Nebraska Labor Market Information; Edited information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
Select State :
Wages and Trends
Job Listings
Users can also access national wage information through the link to the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Data source: America 's CareerInfoNet; America 's Job Bank; Unedited information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
Employment
In Nebraska , about 830 dental hygienists work in this small occupation.
Area
Number Employed
Balance of State
360
Central
160
Lincoln
240
Omaha
220
Information was not available for those regions that do not appear.
Nationally, about 148,000 dental hygienists work in this medium-sized occupation. The majority of dental hygienists work in private dental offices.
Major employers:
• Dentists' offices
Data source: National Occupational Employment Statistics and Nebraska Labor Market Information
Users can link to employment information from the Wages and Employment Trends/Job Outlook topic. They can also access national wage information through the link to the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Data source: America 's CareerInfoNet; Unedited information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
Outlook
2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook
In Nebraska , the employment for dental hygienists is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2012. Growth and/or turnover create approximately 22 job openings each year.
The chart below shows a breakdown by Nebraska geographic area.
Employment
Employment Change
Area
2002
2012
Number
Percent
Balance of State
329
481
152
46.2%
Central
191
282
91
47.6%
Lincoln
129
181
52
40.3%
Mid Plains
11
16
5
45.5%
Northeast
82
118
36
43.9%
Omaha
267
350
83
31.1%
Southeast
42
61
19
45.2%
Information was not available for those regions that do not appear.
Nationally, the number of jobs for dental hygienists is expected to increase much faster than average through the year 2012.
Much of the demand for dental hygienists results from dentists hiring them to do tasks that dentists once did. As the population ages, demand for dental services will increase.
Job prospects for dental hygienists should be good. Besides growth in the occupation, many more job openings will arise from the need to replace dental hygienists who leave the field.
Data source: National Occupational Employment Statistics and Nebraska Labor Market Information; Edited information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides a great starting point for exploring an occupational area. It includes descriptive information in a narrative that includes significant points, nature of the work, working conditions, employment, training, job outlook, earnings and sources for additional information. Shown below is the leading paragraph from the job outlook section. Click on the "more information" link to see the entire handbook entry.
Dental Hygienists
Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, in response to increasing demand for dental care and the greater utilization of hygienists to perform services previously performed by dentists. Job prospects are expected to remain excellent. In fact, dental hygienists is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2012.
more information from the occupational outlook handbook...
Data source: Unedited information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
Interests
Related Interests
Dental hygienists are people who tend to:
• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.
• Consider recognition important. They like to work in jobs which have opportunities for them to advance, be recognized for their work, and direct and instruct others. They usually prefer jobs in which they are looked up to by others.
• Have social interests. They like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They like to communicate with others: to teach, give advice, help, or otherwise be of service to others.
• Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Data source: Edited O*NET values and interest statements.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
High Occupational Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Data source: Unedited O*NET values and interest statements.
References
Additional Information
References Internet References
"Occupational Outlook Handbook"
http://bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm
"Dental Hygiene"
American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org/
Click on "Students and Teachers" under "Your Oral Health" then select "Career Resources" from the menu on the left side of the page.
American Dental Hygienists' Association
http://www.adha.org/
Click on "Education and Careers."
"Health Professions Career and Education Directory"
American Medical Association
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/14598.html
Select "Dental-Related Professions" from list (requires Adobe Reader).
Data source: Professional associations
For information on a career in dental hygiene, including educational requirements, contact:
Division of Education, American Dental Hygienists Association, 444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3400 , Chicago , IL 60611 . Internet: http://www.adha.org
For information about accredited programs and educational requirements, contact:
Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association, 211 E. Chicago Ave., Suite 1814 , Chicago , IL 60611 . Internet: http://www.ada.org
The State Board of Dental Examiners in each State can supply information on licensing requirements.
Data source: Unedited Occupational Outlook Handbook information
College and Postsecondary Majors
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
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Related Programs of Study
Instructional Programs Within the College Major
The Programs of Study listed below are the recommended areas of study to pursue if you wish to enter the occupation you are currently exploring.
Programs of Study Directly Related to this Occupation
Dental Hygiene
Other Programs of Study to Consider
Dental Assisting
Dentistry
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
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Dental Hygienists
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Dental Hygienist
Data source: intoCareers
Occupational Video
Dental Hygienists
Data source: Occupation video from New Jersey Center for Occupational Employment Information
Users can link to the occupational video from the Description.
Data source: Occupation video from New Jersey Center for Occupational Employment Information
Career Fields
Learn about Health Sciences
Data source: Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska Career Information System
At a Glance
• Work with dentists, assistants, and especially patients
• Clean teeth and educate patients about dental care
• Wear uniforms or lab jackets as well as safety gear
• Training usually lasts two years
• May work days, evenings, and weekends
• Have a license
• About 22% or faster than average growth rate
• Employ 830 in Nebraska with 22 job openings each year
• Nebraska median wage is $51,143 per year
Data source: Nebraska Career Information System
Users can link to the occupational video from the Description.
Data source: Occupation video from New Jersey Center for Occupational Employment Information
Dental Hygienists 
Clean teeth and educate patients about dental care 
Wear uniforms or lab jackets as well as safety gear 
