CFChooseField
Healthcare

Dental Hygienists

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Dental Hygienists
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Median pay

$94,260
Median annual pay for Dental Hygienists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

15,300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

221,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Dental Hygienists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+15,500
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Associate's degree
Typical education needed to enter Dental Hygienists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Writing
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Medicine and Dentistry
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3Psychology
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Education and Training
  6. 6Computers and Electronics

Abilities

  1. 1Arm-Hand Steadiness
  2. 2Finger Dexterity
  3. 3Near Vision
  4. 4Problem Sensitivity
  5. 5Oral Comprehension
  6. 6Oral Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Conventional
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cooperation
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Empathy
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  2. 2Assisting and Caring for Others
  3. 3Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  4. 4Documenting/Recording Information
  5. 5Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  6. 6Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Work context

  1. 1Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  2. 2Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  3. 3Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  4. 4Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  5. 5Contact With Others
  6. 6Exposed to Disease or Infections

Representative tasks

  • Record and review patient medical histories.
  • Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
  • Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
  • Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
  • Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
  • Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
  • Expose and develop x-ray film.
  • Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.

Software and tools

Henry Schein Dentrix · in demandMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyScheduling softwarePatterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoftOpen DentalVoice-activated perio charting softwareDental billing softwareDental office management softwareDental intra-oral imaging softwareDental imaging software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.