THE DENTAL HYGIENE PROFESSION
What do dental hygienists do?
Dental hygienists are licensed professionals who provide preventative, educational and therapeutic oral health services to the public. Dental hygienists assess the patient's oral health needs, remove deposits from the teeth, apply preventative materials to the teeth and help patients achieve better oral health.
Where are dental hygienists employed?
Dental hygienists provide clinical patient care in a variety of health care settings which include general and specialty dental practices, managed care organizations, public health clinics, hospitals and nursing homes. Dental hygienists with a bachelor's degree have additional career options which include teaching dental assisting, dental hygiene and dental students in colleges and universities, administering public health and community-based programs, managing dental practices and clinic facilities, and marketing dental supplies, products and equipment.
What is the demand for dental hygienists?
The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts that the need for dental hygienists will grow significantly faster than the average growth for all occupations. The mean annual wage for dental hygienists nationwide is $59,790. The Oregon Employment Department lists an entry level salary of $59,717 and an average salary of $69,067 for dental hygienists.