Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist

Work Activities/Work Locations

Dental Hygienists work with Dentists as they examine and treat patients. They also provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services. They perform a complete oral prophylaxis, which may include deep periodontal scaling and root debridement as well as polishing of natural and restored tooth surfaces. Records and updates medical and dental histories and does dental charting. Tasks may also include applying fluoride, performing x-rays, and examining gums for disease. They can also administer local anesthetics.
Educate patients regarding oral hygiene and preventive oral care.
Hygienists may not diagnose diseases, but they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the Dentist to interpret and can administer prescribed preventative agents.
Hygienists may also work chair-side with the Dentist during treatment.
Most Dental Hygienists work with Dentists in general or specialized dental offices, either for individual Dentists or for groups of Dentists. They are also employed at public health departments, hospitals, nursing homes, private business, correctional facilities or the military. They may also teach oral hygiene for educational programs, community groups, or at schools.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Dental Hygienists enjoy teaching people how to take care of their teeth.
They sometimes do not like to do the same things day after day

Education: 2-3 years

Patient Interaction: High

Physical Activity: Medium

Salary: $63,212

Job Growth: High

Dentist (DDS/DMD)

Certified Dental Technician (CDT)

Dental Laboratory Technician (DLABT)

Dental Hygienist (DH)

Getting Started

High School Courses

Students should take a college preparatory curriculum.
Helpful high school courses would include algebra, biology, chemistry, and medical terminology.
Northcental Technical College (NTC) has chemistry as a prerequisite, either one full credit of high school (typically two semesters) OR one full credit of college (typically one semester) with a “C” or better (“C-“ is not sufficient).

Education and Training

College students may complete an Associate (2-3 years) Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree (4 years) in an accredited program.
NTC offers a 5 semester (72 credits) Associate Degree.
Program coursework includes studying the sciences, anatomy & physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, microbiology, psychology, histology (study of tissue and cells), nutrition, dental materials, sociology, Public Health, and pathology. Schools offer laboratory, clinical and classroom instruction
Most dental hygiene programs grant an Associate Degree, although some offer a certificate, a Bachelor’s Degree, or Master’s Degree. A minimum of an Associate Degree or Certificate in Dental Hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office. Whereas a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree is usually required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.

Educational Institutions

Chippewa Valley Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College
Lakeshore Technical College
Madison Area Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Nicolet Area Technical College
Northcentral Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College

Hospitals with Associated Educational Programs

Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Milwaukee

Method of Entry

Dental Hygienists must be licensed in the state where they wish to work. To do this, they must complete a training program AND then pass written AND practical exams.
The American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations administers the written examination accepted by all States and the District of Columbia. State or regional testing agencies administer the clinical examination.
In addition most states require an examination on legal aspects of dental hygiene practice.
Students may choose either an accredited Associate (2 years) or a Bachelor’s Degree (4 year) dental hygiene program.

Professional Organizations

Alliance of the American Dental Association
211 E. Chicago Avenue, Suite 730
Chicago, IL, 60611-2616
800/621-8099, Ext. 2865
www.allianceada.org/

American Dental Assistants Association
140 N. Bloomingdale Road
Bloomingdale, IL, 60108-1017
630/994-4247 or 877/874-3785
www.dentalassistant.org

American Dental Association (ADA)
211 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL, 60611-2678
312/440-2500
www.ada.org

American Dental Hygienists’ Association
444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3400
Chicago, IL, 60611
312/440-8900
www.adha.org

Dane County Dental Society
PO Box 6407
Madison, WI, 53716
(608) 222-8344
www.danecountydental.org/

Dental Record
6737 W. Washington Street, Suite 2360
West Allis, WI, 53214
(800) 243-4675
www.dentalrecord.com/

Greater Milwaukee Dental Association
www.gmda.org/

Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
211 E. Chicago Avenue, Suite 600
Chicago, IL, 60611-2637
800/232-1694
www.ada.org/en/jcnde

Wisconsin Dental Association
6737 W. Washington St., Suite 2360
West Allis, WI, 53214
414/276-4520
www.wda.org

Wisconsin Dental Hygienists’ Association
6510 Grand Teton Plaza, Suite 312
Madison, WI, 53719
www.wi-dha.com

Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition
6737 W. Washington St., Suite 1111
West Allis, WI, 53214
(414) 337-4560

www.chawisconsin.org/oral-health.php?pg=30

Career Outlook

Number Employed in 2014 (Wisconsin): 4,940

Number Employed in 2014 (U.S.): 200,500

Expected Employment in 2024 (U.S.): 237,900

Percent Employment Growth (2014-2024): 19%

Expected Annual Openings: 7,030

Median Salary in 2014 (Wisconsin): $63,212

Salary information is located at Career One Stop

Wisconsin AHEC Health Careers Information Center provides the most current salary information available from CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop will have a lapse between when the information is gathered and when it is released.

Dental Hygienists work 35 to 40 hours a week.
Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. Full-time, part-time, evenings, and weekend schedules are widely available.
Dentists frequently hire hygienists to work only 2 to 3 days a week, so hygienists may hold jobs in more than one dental office or work part-time.

Hygienists who work in dentist offices usually receive pay increases as they gain additional experience.
Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree may become teachers or researchers.
Generally, a Master’s Degree is needed to move into administrative positions in dental schools or public health agencies.