Dental Hygienists
Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.
Common Job Titles
- Dental Hygienist
- Hygienist
- Licensed Dental Hygienist
- Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- Hands-onPerform oral prophylaxis procedures including scaling and polishing using ultrasonic scalers, hand scalers, and dental polishers in clinical settings.Proficient
- KnowledgeAssess patient oral health status and periodontal conditions using periodontal probes and diagnostic imaging to identify disease and risk factors.Proficient
- Hands-onOperate dental radiographic equipment including digital and panoramic x-ray systems following radiation safety protocols and infection control standards.Proficient
- KnowledgeEvaluate radiographic images and clinical findings to detect caries, periodontal disease, and oral pathology under dentist supervision.Proficient
- KnowledgeDevelop individualized treatment plans and patient education strategies synthesizing clinical data, patient history, and evidence-based practice guidelines.Proficient
- MindsetIntegrate patient-centered care principles with infection control and safety protocols while managing anxious patients and maintaining professional boundaries.Proficient
- MindsetAdvocate for preventive oral health practices and treatment compliance through motivational interviewing and culturally sensitive communication.Proficient
- MindsetEngage patients in oral health education and preventive care discussions addressing individual needs, concerns, and barriers to compliance.Developing
- Hands-onExecute fluoride treatments and topical anesthetic administration following established clinical protocols to manage patient comfort and disease prevention.Developing
- KnowledgeApply knowledge of dental anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology when documenting clinical findings and making referral recommendations.Developing
- KnowledgeAnalyze periodontal charting data and oral health trends using dental clinical records software to monitor patient progress over time.Developing
- Hands-onCalibrate dental instruments and sterilization equipment maintaining infection control standards and equipment functionality in the clinical environment.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Dental Hygienists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
219,070
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $66,470. 25th percentile: U.S. $80,060. 50th percentile: U.S. $94,260. 75th percentile: U.S. $102,920. 90th percentile: U.S. $120,060. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $66,470 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $120,060 |
| Workers on average earn | $93,890 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Medicine and Dentistry4.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Psychology3.0/5
- English Language2.8/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Henry Schein Dentrix
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Technology Skills
- Dental billing software
- Dental charting software
- Dental clinical records software
- Dental digital radiology software
- Dental imaging software
- Dental intra-oral imaging software
- Dental office management software
- Email software
Tools & Equipment
- Air abrasion equipment
- Air-driven dental polishers
- Air/water syringes
- Amalgam carriers
- Angle formers
- Aspirating syringes
- Autoclaves
- Autoscalars