dental-assistants

About Dental Hygienists

Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists play a vital role in the dental industry by maintaining and improving their patients’ oral health. Their experience in various skills including preventative care, patient education, and clinical skills can help prevent dental diseases and overall well-being.

They do a variety of daily tasks in a dental office including conducting cleanings, applying sealants and fluoride, taking X-rays, and educating patients on hygiene practices. Working in multiple settings, from private practices to DSOs, they profoundly impact their community. Their dedication and professionalism help the success of dental practices and the communities they serve.

Learn more about the average dental hygienist’s salary, responsibilities, requirements, and associations so you can excel in your dental hygienist career.

Dental Hygienist Salary

Dental hygienist’ salaries can vary depending on their location, experience, and the type of dental practice they work in. On a nationwide average, dental hygienists can expect to earn $87,530 per year or $42.08 per hour.

Discover your state’s average dental hygienist salary below:

 

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California
Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia
Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa
Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey
New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio
Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont
Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Dental Hygienist Requirements

Requirements for dental hygienists can vary by state, with each state having its own licensing and certification requirements. Typically, hygienists will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.

Check out the dental hygienist requirements by your state below:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California
Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia
Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa
Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey
New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio
Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont
Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Dental Hygienist Responsibilities

The responsibilities a dental hygienist has can vary depending on the state they practice in and the licensing they hold. The main responsibilities of a dental hygienist usually include performing teeth cleanings, taking x-rays, applying sealants, and educating patients. However, they may be given additional responsibilities based on certifications and state regulations.

Learn about your state’s regulations around the responsibilities of a dental hygienist:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California
Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia
Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa
Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey
New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio
Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont
Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Dental Hygienist Associations

RDH associations help advance the dental hygiene profession, promoting oral health, supporting professional development, and advocating for hygienists. These associations can provide a platform for hygienists to network, advocate, and share their knowledge.

Check out the local dental hygienist associations in your area:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California
Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia
Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa
Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey
New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio
Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont
Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming