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.

$94,260
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+7% projected 2024โ€“2034
Associate's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Dental hygienists work directly with patients to clean teeth, examine oral health, and prevent dental diseases. During a typical appointment, they remove plaque and tartar buildup using specialized hand tools and ultrasonic instruments, polish teeth to remove stains, and apply protective fluoride treatments or sealants. They carefully examine the mouth for signs of gum disease, cavities, or other oral health issues, often taking and developing dental X-rays to help dentists make accurate diagnoses. Between cleanings, they document findings in patient records and discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques with patients.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(associates)Chabot College, CA
$85,175
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)Foothill College, CA
$81,255
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(associates)Shoreline Community College, WA
$78,372
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)Lake Washington Institute of Technology, WA
$77,431
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(associates)Community College of Denver, CO
$76,712
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)Pacific University, OR
$76,060
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(masters)MCPHS University, MA
$75,871
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, OK
$75,367
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center, OK
$75,367
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)College of Southern Nevada, NV
$75,252
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(certificate)Cabrillo College, CA
$74,741
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)University of the Pacific, CA
$73,751
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia, CA
$73,751
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)West Coast University-Orange County, CA
$73,751
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)West Los Angeles College, CA
$73,751
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)West Coast University-Los Angeles, CA
$73,751
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(associates)Concorde Career College-San Bernardino, CA
$73,660
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)Farmingdale State College, NY
$72,908
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)Virginia Commonwealth University, VA
$72,808
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(associates)Concorde Career College-Garden Grove, CA
$72,160
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)University of Maryland Baltimore, MD
$72,139
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(bachelors)University of Hawaii at Manoa, HI
$71,260
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(associates)Pima Medical Institute-Seattle, WA
$71,216
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(associates)Pima Medical Institute-Tucson, AZ
$71,216
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(associates)Pima Medical Institute-Houston, TX
$71,216

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