Dental Hygienists Description OES Code: 32908 Perform dental prophylactic treatments and instruct groups and individuals in the care of the teeth and mouth. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: $30.00 $13.78 – $42.00 New, experienced: $31.25 $17.19 – $45.00 3 yrs+ experience: $34.38 $19.23 – $45.00 Earnings can vary widely between areas. Education and work experience often determine salary levels. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Most Dental Hygienists work part time - eight hours a day, usually two or three days a week. They often work for more than one dentist. Fringe benefits usually include medical insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, especially for full time employees. Many employers provide retirement plans and discounts on dental work. Employment Trends Employment 1996 18,630 Projected Employment 2006 28,130 Growth Rate 1996-2006 51% Openings due to Separations 7,020 Employment Trends by California County The employment outlook for Dental Hygienists remains good. Newly created jobs will account for most job opportunities, but a sizable number will also occur as workers retire or change careers (separations). A number of factors contribute to such growth: heightened awareness of the importance of regular dental care, more people with dental insurance coverage, and an aging population with extended dental care needs. Other factors which will result in new jobs for hygienists include a greater emphasis on community and public health, advances in dental hygiene education, increased specialty areas and new dental health counseling programs. New opportunities are also arising in Public Health Programs sponsored by schools and federal, State, and local Health Departments. Advancement Dental Hygienists advance primarily in expanded roles and greater responsibilities. With additional education and experience, they may specialize in areas such orthodontia. Some go into teaching. In government jobs, they may advance to Dental Hygienist Auditor or Consultant. Getting the Job & Other Information Employers recruit through newspaper ads, employee referrals, and schools. Telephone yellow pages list private employment agencies that specialize in placing medial and dental personnel in both temporary and permanent jobs. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Dental Hygienists must be licensed in California, under the provisions of the Dental Practice Act, administered by the State Board of Dental Examiners. Applicants for licensing must have a minimum of a two-year degree from an accredited (American Dental Association) dental hygiene program. Dental Hygienists must also pass the National Board examination given by the Joint Commission on Dental Examinations and the practical examination given by the State Board. The license must be renewed every two years; 25 hours of continuing education is required. Contact the California Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) for a list of the schools in California. Required background varies and may include courses in math, biology, and chemistry. The schools combine classroom instruction with clinical and laboratory work and include such courses as pharmacology, nutrition, anatomy, and physiology. NOTE: There are more applicants than available training slots. Students often take college-level courses in general education and science for up to two years to improve their chances of acceptance into a dental hygiene program. Skills & Other Requirements Personal traits essential to the job are good judgment, patience, tact, ability to tolerate stress, and a genuine concern for people. Dental Hygienists should be able to deal tactfully with people and stimulate interest and motivation to all age groups in the prevention of dental disease. They must pay close attention to detail and be able to follow instructions exactly. The work requires good vision (may be corrected) and finger dexterity for close attention to detail and handling of sharp instruments. Constant work with other dental team members in a confined space is common. Important health protection in this occupation includes regular checkups and strict adherence to safety procedures for the use of X-ray equipment. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Dental Hygienists #155 Related Occupation: Dental Assistants #27, Dental Laboratory Technicians #243, Dentists #377 Training: California State Training Inventory © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.