Dental hygienists play a vital role in maintaining oral health and preventing tooth decay and gum disease. As healthcare professionals, their services are in high demand.
But why exactly are dental hygienists compensated relatively well compared to some other career fields? In this article, we’ll explore the educational requirements, scope of practice, and overall value hygienists bring to both dentists and patients.
The Educational Barrier to Entry
One factor that contributes to dental hygienists earning a respectable salary is the level of education required to enter the profession.
To become a licensed dental hygienist, graduates must complete an associate’s degree in dental hygiene from an accredited program. These programs typically take two years to complete after obtaining a high school diploma or GED.
Coursework covers topics like oral biology, oral radiology, preventive dental health, nutrition, and periodontology. Students also gain hands-on clinical experience by assisting with cleanings, X-rays, patient education, and other preventive dental procedures on classmates and patients.
In addition to the dental hygiene degree itself, most states require licensure via the Dental Hygiene National Board Exam and a Clinical Board Exam. Continuing education is usually mandated to maintain an active license as well.
This commitment of time, effort, and tuition costs to achieve the minimum educational benchmark serves as an entry barrier that helps justify dental hygienists receiving a salary commensurate with their skills and qualifications. It also demonstrates their ability to master complex subject matter related to oral health.
Scope of Practice and Services Provided
So what exactly do dental hygienists do on a daily basis to earn their pay? Their core responsibility is providing preventive dental care services under the supervision of a licensed dentist. This involves performing various procedures aimed at keeping patients’ mouths clean and their teeth cavity-free.
Some of the most common tasks included in a dental hygienist’s scope of practice are:
- Dental cleanings and scaling of tartar buildup
- Taking and developing dental X-rays
- Administering local anesthetic or nitrous oxide when needed
- Applying fluoride treatments and sealants
- Examining patients for signs of oral cancer or periodontal disease
- Educating patients on proper brushing, flossing, and nutrition habits
- Recording patients’ medical histories
Dental hygienists are also trained to recognize symptoms requiring a dentist’s evaluation and treatment. Their screening abilities allow dentists to focus more on restorative procedures like fillings and extractions.
Value to Dentists and Patients
So in what ways do dental hygienists provide tangible value both to the dentists they work under and the patients they treat? Let’s examine this from both perspectives.
Value to Dentists
Hygienists allow dentists to see more patients per day. Their preventive skills optimize the number of brief checkups vs. lengthy restorative visits.
Having hygienists on staff means the practice can offer and bill for a wider array of services, boosting revenue.
Hygienists free up the dentist’s time to focus on complex procedures like root canals, crowns, and orthodontics where their specialized training provides the most value.
Better prevention leads to fewer cavities down the road, reducing treatment costs for the practice over the long term.
Value to Patients
Regular cleanings and exams from a hygienist catch early signs of problems before they become more serious and expensive to treat.
Patients receive education tailored to their individual risk factors, empowering them to proactively manage their oral health.
Hygienists help establish long-term relationships leading to early disease detection and treatment if needed.
Preventive visits are generally more comfortable for many patients compared to invasive restorative procedures.
Oral cancer screenings can literally save lives through early diagnosis.
So in essence, dental hygienists play a crucial role in optimizing production, financial performance, and clinical outcomes for both dental practices and the patients they serve through prevention-focused care. Their compensation reflects this significant value added.
Average Salary and Job Prospects
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for dental hygienists in the United States as of May 2020 was $77,190. However, salary ranges vary based on level of experience, geography, practice setting, and job responsibilities assumed.
The lowest 10% of earners reported incomes under $57,510 while the highest 10% made over $99,680. Those with some years of experience supervising dental assistants or performing more advanced procedures tend toward the higher end. Hygienists working in specialized practices or residing in major metropolitan centers also typically earn more than the median.
In terms of career outlook, the BLS expects jobs for dental hygienists to grow 19% between 2020-2030—well above average compared to other occupations.
As the population ages and recognizes the importance of oral health, demand for preventive dental services is projected to steadily rise. Opportunities exist in private dental offices, public health clinics, hospitals, schools, and more.
Job security also appears strong. Unlike some professions vulnerable to economic downturns, people tend to still keep up with regular cleanings even if cutting back in other areas due to the long-term cost-effectiveness of prevention.
Navigating the Profession with Fulfillment
While compensation proves attractive, many dental hygienists are drawn more to the personally rewarding aspects of their career. Contributing to optimal oral health on a daily basis serves as a source of pride and purpose. Developing long-term bonds with patients and witnessing the impacts of education over time can bring deep fulfillment.
Hygienists also enjoy practicing in a fast-paced, procedural environment while drawing connections between individual wellness and systemic health. Professional growth happens through continuing education, pursuing specializations like periodontology, and taking on advanced roles. For those inclined, opportunities exist to teach, perform research, or join professional associations as leaders.
Of course, challenges do exist. Standard precautions against diseases are physically and mentally taxing over the long-term. Exposure to radiation from X-rays necessitates safety awareness. Difficult patients or heavy production demands may cause stress if not appropriately managed. Like in any healthcare role, burnout risks should not be ignored.
Conclusion
In summary, dental hygienists earn comparatively high salaries due to the substantial educational investments and specialized skillsets they attain. Serving on the frontlines of prevention through procedures like cleanings and exams, they add tremendous value to both dentists and the patients those practices serve.
Strong job prospects will sustain the profession for years to come as demand for these services expands. While compensation draws some, many find even deeper motivation through the relationships and impacts achieved.