What Are the Usual Amount of Hours a Dental Hygenist Works Weekly?
Dental hygienists are primarily focused on providing preventative dental care; they educate patients about the importance of good oral health. They are licensed professionals trained to assess the oral health of a patient by looking for the presence of diseases or other abnormalities.
Other People Are Reading
-
Hours
-
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 86 percent of dental hygienists work fewer than 36 hours per week, with approximately two thirds working between 21 and 26 hours per week.
Flexibility
-
Dental hygienists are often hired to work for only two to three days a week at a dental practice; therefore, they often have more than one job. Since part-time, evening and weekend hours are readily available, they have the option of flexible scheduling.
-
Employment
-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2008, 96 percent of dental hygienists worked at dental practices. They are also employed by hospitals, public health agencies and schools.
Limitations
-
Dental hygienists are required to be licensed in the state in which they practice. This can lead to stiff competition for jobs and available working hours in states where there are numerous dental hygienist programs.
Future Outlook
-
The demand for dental hygienists is expected to increase as the awareness of preventative dental care increases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2018 the employment for dental hygienists is expected to rise by 36 percent.
-
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Robby!
