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Dental Hygiene Outcomes & Career Options
Outcomes & Career Options
Dental hygienists play a vital role in oral health by providing preventive care, patient education, and clinical services in various settings, including dental offices, schools, public health programs, and research institutions. They assess oral health, examine patients’ teeth and gums for signs of disease, and develop treatment plans in collaboration with dentists. Hygienists perform teeth cleanings, remove plaque and stains, take and develop X-rays, and apply preventive treatments like fluoride and sealants. They also educate patients on proper oral hygiene practices and may contribute to interdisciplinary healthcare teams by assessing how oral health connects to overall wellness.
Educational Qualifications
To be licensed, students must finish 2 years of prerequisites at La Sierra before graduating from an accredited dental hygiene program. They must pass both a written and clinical exam. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is usually required to do research, teach, or work in public or school health programs.
Job Outlook
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 16,400 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
7% Job Market Growth
$87,530 Median Salary
The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $87,530 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $65,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,400.
In May 2023, the median annual wages for dental hygienists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Offices of dentists $88,450
- Offices of physicians $80,340
- Government $71,030
Partial information in this page was retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm (visited April 17, 2024).
Contact Us
prehealth@lasierra.edu
951-785-2661
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