What is a Dental Hygienist's Salary?
A dental hygienist has the opportunity to educate and instruct patients on good oral health in addition to performing important dental procedures. A dental hygienist is primarily employed in a private practice or clinic working part-time flexible hours for one or more dentist. This is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the dental field, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Function
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A dental hygienist is a licensed and certified professional who performs oral health exams, examines teeth for diseases, administers oral treatments and cleans and polishes teeth. A dental hygienist is also responsible for educating patients on oral hygiene and discussing preventive oral health measures. Depending on the size of the dental practice, a dental hygienist may also take dental x-rays, place fillings and administer local anesthetic.
Education
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In most states, a dental hygienist is required to graduate from an accredited dental hygienist program and pass a written national board exam in addition to completing an extensive state clinical examination. A dental hygienist program primarily consists of classroom courses such biology, anatomy, pharmacology, histology, peridontology, dental materials and hygiene in addition to supervised clinical instruction. According to Payscale.com, the U.S. national average salary for a new dental hygienist graduate with less than one year of experience ranges from $37,132 to $51,722.
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Mid Level
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The U.S. national average salary in 2009 for a dental hygienist with five to nine years of experience ranges from $41,431 to $59,675, according to Payscale.com. Depending on the size and location, a dental hygienist may make a higher salary in specific industries such as school districts or non-profit organizations. The U.S. national average salary for a dental hygienist working for a non-profit organization ranges from $49,855 to $70,145, according to Payscale.com.
Experienced
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The U.S. national average salary in 2009 for a dental hygienist with 10 to 19 years of experience ranges from $40,076 to $64,289, according to Payscale.com. Depending on incentive policies of the medical facility or private practice, an experienced dental hygienist may be bonus-eligible. According to Payscale.com, the U.S. average bonus for a dental hygienist with 10 to 19 years of experience is $801.
Benefits
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One of the most noted benefits of working as a dental hygienist is the flexibility. Most dental hygienist work a flexible part-time schedule, which consist of evenings or weekends and gives them the opportunity to work for multiple dentists, clinics or medical facilities
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