Thomas Hewitt in Brooklyn, New York. RDH-to-be in Loma Linda, California.

Dental Hygienist Salaries in Maryland and by education, experience, Location and more - sotoyege.web.fc2.com

I really wish I could give you a different answer and say that getting into DH school was that easy. As far as I know, there is no dental hygiene program that will take you, for example, right out of high school. Dental assisting, yes, but not dental hygiene. My DH program is a 2 yr program as well, but I had to take prerequisites in order to get into the program. I applied to community colleges before as well and they have a list of classes you must take before beign eligible to enter their program.

There is no need to attend grad school for dental hygiene. The easiest way is to get your A. I read somewhere that most dental hygienists have A. Jennifer in Fullerton, California. The "2 year" programs do not include pre-reqs which take about 2 years so all in all it's really 4 years for an associate 's degree or certificate in DH.

This is a good path to take if you just want to work in a clinical setting. The 4 year programs offered by university's offer a bachelor's in DH. This allows you, just like the 2 year, to sit for the RDH boards and to practice clinically. However, you should get your BS or higher if you want to go into research, teaching, administration , or if you'd like to work for dental related sales company such as dental pharmaceuticals.

These optiones require more than an AA or certificate. I don't know about the salaries other than clinical hygienists. I would assume that as a professor you would make around what other other college professors make. As for sales and pharm I assume a base salary and commission so it probably varies. Sorry, I really don't know hard numbers. When I did my research on the BS pathway I didn't really care about the money so I never asked.

I was more concerned over the "what ifs". What if I get injured during clinical, what are my options then? I wanted a back up plan. What is the point of doing all that hard work only to get injured and be out of a job and back to square one?

Regardless if the money is more or less I don't think it is wise to base your entire career on that alone. You will be unhappy, there is much more to consider. Don't let a paycheck sway you, just my opinion. Kate in Brooklyn, New York. I'd like to hear from recent graduates, how long did it take you to find a job for four days a week? What the percent of the people graduated with you who could't find a place to work.

I'm interested in answers from NY area. I have worked with women who have only gone into hygiene for the money. It requires a HIGH degree of patient concern, continuing education efforts, team playing, attitude, and stamina. You have other peoples' health concerns in your hands and it is too hard to do just for the paycheck. You have to CARE about the outcome for your patients. It is a terribly long day it you are looking at the clock all day long and going ONE DOWN and SEVEN to go.

Do what you love, you had better LOVE science, you had better LOVE taking care of humanity, you had better LOVE continuing education. Ashley in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Jennifer in Fullerton, California said: Jennifer in Placentia, California.

Well I heard back from one hygiene school and got rejected but I have 3 more to hear from. I got into an MPH program at the school I did my undergrad, but I'm not really into it so I probably won't take the spot.

I'm waiting on 3 more grad schools about their programs and should hear back by July at the latest. Those ones are more health science education based so I'm going for one of those if I don't get into any hygiene schools. I figure I can maybe squeeze out my Masters or even get a huge chunk of that degree done if I have to wait a year or more for hygiene school. The problem is that my sciences are expiring so I'm going to have to take those over while I'm working on my grad classes The academia is never ending!!!

Jennifer in Placentia, California said: Yes, I start the MEd program on Monday. Still weighing my options for next fall though. I guess time will tell Is anyone willing to share what their damages are for all of hygiene school? Tuition, exams, licenses, insurance etc?? Thanks for your input.

How Much Do Dental Hygienists Make? - Dental Hygienist Salary

Cindy in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. As a dental hygienist for the past 10 years - let me say that the profession has its rewards. My schedule is great - the pay is good - my boss is good to work for - some aren't - BUT BUT BUT - My back and neck kill me ALL the time from bending over patients' heads all day long.

It is the one reason I am searching for something else to do at this time im my life. I am always in pain. I thought I would have trouble with my wrist but never did. Instead I have already had to go through physical therapy once for pain in my neck. Please consider this when thinking about this profession. My daughter is in nursing school right now. She was thinking of going into Hygiene and I'm glad she did not. If nursing is not for you then find something else but really think about dental hygiene - it is VERY physically demanding.

I have a friend who is an OT that went to LLU and she says their department assigned their students to come up with something like an ergonomics class specifically for DH. Not that it would get rid of the issue but at least the school is doing something about it. I considered nursing for awhile but my aunts who are nurses told me that nurses have physical issues to deal with too - back problems, their legs hurt, etc.

They always discouraged me. One of them had to go to PT as well because of job injuries. I actually seriously considered nursing - but after doing some other health -related clinical stuff a hospital and being able to watch the nurse's in all departments- I would not go into it. Nursing and dental hygiene are completely different careers but somehow they keep getting compared. I personally know people who enjoy nursing as I do know those who enjoy dental hygiene: The jobs, like any others, have cons but many pros as well.

And people keep saying so many DH's go into the field for money - what about nursing? I know so many people who go into the field because of 'easy' money working graveyard, weekends, holidays, overtime, etc. Delia Wilkins in Rome, Italy. Hi, I was surfing my favorite forum and happen to look at some of your comments. I find them interesting but I do have another perspective.. I've been RDH for over 10 years now and still love my job, the military sent me to school and since I'm careerist I will be retiring in a couple of years with a monthly pension and medical benefits Hygiene is what you make of it.

YOU must really enjoy human contact and making a positive difference in someone's life every day! I almost went for nursing but can't deal with shift work and sad looking patients Nicole in Baltimore, Maryland. Dental Hygenist - 4 year degree Dental Assisting -- 2 year degree. Well, many states offer associates in dental hygiene.

But Baltimore is very expensive, so they pay well. T Hewitt in Patchogue, New York. It was possible to get enough hours to make it my primary job if I choose to Sometimes when I had days off or too many vacation days to burn I part-timed for private dentists Mind you, I had no benies as a temp but I didn't mind because I have all my benefits through my job! Hygiene is definitely my back up career once I finish my time here I'd see if I can get a well paid job in health care admin I earned a MBA about a couple of years ago T Hewitt in Brooklyn, New York.

What I meant was, I'm one of those people who like to multitask and have other goals to do with my career. I love DH work but since I'm required to be very proficient at computer , administrative and leadership work I have the potential of doing this and practicing my DH on a part-time basis which I'm planning on doing!

I'm lucky I have the opportunity to do that and I'm taking advantage of it I can also mentor two more new hygienists that I will be supervising soon Are you already accepted into DH school? It's definitely worth it even if you do this career for a few years do you know the majority of RDH burnout average is 5 years? HI, I live in Connecticut. Can anyone tell me about the wages in this state or their work enviorment experiences. C in Brandon, Florida. Rhema w in Big Rapids, Michigan said: I'm taking dental hygiene in michigan but planning on relocating to Toronto.

All I can say is that in Florida, hygiene jobs are very scarce and have been for years even before this economic recesssion. Employers know this and take advantage of this by not giving our profession the respect it deserves.

The majority of employers will take advantage of you and let you go without reason because their are 30 other applicants in line to take your place.

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There are some very ethical dentists who will treat you fair. However this is a minority. However if this is your passion, go for it. It might be better in Canada or other states. God Bless and good luck. Registered Nurse in Ellabell, Georgia. I guess every profession has its pros and cons. I am a RN and I wish I had done Dental Hygiene. I work 7p-7a days a wk.

I have mandatory On Call. If you are short staffed you may have call every wk. Working hr shifts in a row is grueling!!! You rotate weekends, but its rare you get the entire weekend off cause you will be working fri. You also get pulled to other areas in the hospital if someone calls in sick. If there is a hole it has to be filled. So lots of times you end up working in an area you may hate and feel unsafe cause it's not your area!! Most hospitals care more about making money than their employees.

There is a lot of bull that goes on in hospitals. I know a lot of people who are hygienists and they say they enjoy it and are not as stressed as I am. That's the thing about hospitals, they are open So you will be working on thanksgiving instead of eating turkey with the family. I usually end up working either the eve or day of every holiday and then you are tired when you get off and don't even feel like celebrating.

I work nights cause that's where the money is. Working nights makes you forever tired. Even when you have days off all you want to do is sleep. You are never on a normal schedule. With DH it is more flexible, better hours, and more pay.

I wouldn't recommend nursing to anyone!! You can do contract work and make good money--that's great if you're single and don't mind moving or working in any area of the hospital. Plus the nurse to patient ratio stinks. One nurse may be responsible for the care of patients. With DH it is one at a time. Jennifer in San Jose, California.

Mari in Chicago, Illinois. You should be worried about your spelling first then get into a field where you can make "money". You can't even spell Hygienist correctly and you want to get into this field? Danielle in Grand Island, New York. Meagan in Moody, Texas said: I live in Temple, Texas and i totally agree with you. Most of all the comments are so negative and rude.

NO ONE ON HERE should be telling people that they should not be a Dental Hygienist. If that is what they would like to be then that is okay. How bout some people start posting helpful things instead of just being rude.

I totally agree with Meagan! If you are working somewhere you do not like find another job. Let's face it we have it really easy. Try working in a hospital and having 10 patients at a time in your care, and they could actually die from what you are doing.

Plus we make more than the average RN We have a great job! Ashly in Silverton, Oregon. Thomas Hewitt in Brooklyn, New York said: I live in Oregon and most of the schools here are all just 2 year degrees the only difference from an associates degree and a bachelors in dental hygiene that is in a bachelors you can teach, manage, promote, sell, etc.

There is no difference in pay. At least that how it is here. I am just now finish with all pre classes and applied for dental hyg school I am confused beacause in austin they are not many jobs I do not know what to do a RN i thought about that to travel all around south america since a speak spanish and be travling nurse I just do not know what demand for a dental hygenist jobs someone give some advice.

Z in Toronto, Ontario. You said that way just because you know nothing about RDH. It's true you need 2 years deploma or years degree to be a RDH deponds on different area.

I am trying to become a DH.

One of I am going to a information seminar on it Monday. It takes 70 weeks with clinical hrs. You do the math. You get an A. Since the UT Medical center is close one girl had a great chance. A large commute everyday but at that pay..

That's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

How Much Do Dental Hygienist Make a Year? | sotoyege.web.fc2.com

Plus they only have one dentist office there. I have been a hygienist for three years. I really like doing dental hygiene, I tell you what, some dentist can make your life miserable I have worked for both good and bad.

Anne in Littleton, Colorado. There also seems to be some confusion here over a Dental Assistant AA and a Dental Hygenist 4 years. A dental hygenist is highly skilled and can command more money per hour. It's like comparing an LPN and an R.

My uncle is a dentist in the east. He hires hygenists and pays them in the high 40's per hour. That doesn't mean an assistant can't earn perhaps more than usual, but the degree is not the same. Tina in Chicago, Illinois. I work in the Chicagoland suburbs.

I am changing careers from dental hygiene to nursing. I am tired of the unstable pay check and lack of health benefits. After 5 years all I have is regret that I didn't do nursing first. If I only knew then what I know now! Tina in Chicago, Illinois said: I was going to dental hygiene but I have heard alot of cons about it.

I use to want to do nursing but that is really not in my heart. I was looking into some other allied health careers. I have a question about the unstable paychecks Any advice you have would be great. JC in Columbus, Ohio. I wrote about a page on here and the last line got cut in half. In a nutshell, every profession across the board is suffering due to escalating gas prices, natural disasters in every state, Red Cross and other faith based missions asking for blood and your hard earned dollar to help the victoms of natural disasters, businesses going belly up every day in the U.

I said all that to say we are blessed to have a job to meet financial commitments.

In our profession, we see on a daily basis, patients who have lost insurance benefits altogether or have been down graded so they go to a different dental practice. I love my profession, but I see changes since and the downward spiral in the global economy that is trickling down to our local communities.

We can no longer remember what job "security" is or what "good" benefits are. If it is still out there, they are most likely, more the "exception" than the rule.

A in San Diego, California. The job is the same day in and day ouut. I love the patients but it's so redundant. I only temp and will not take a FT position at any one given office. I like the flexibility. I;m 23 years old- and while I usually do work 40 hours a week- it's nice to know that if I don;t want to work any given day- I don't have to. Plenty of offices I temp in have offered my a FT position- but the flexibilty of temping is just too good to give up!

Temping allows me to go to different offices, learn different techniques, use different equiptment and meet all sorts fo patients! Don't think I can do DH for the next 10 or 20 years- but the paycheck sure is nice! A in San Diego, California said: What is the average starting pay in San Diego? How hard is it to find a full time job out there? Has your pay increased significantly since you graduated? Susan Miller in Greenlawn, New York. I have hated every second of it I left with one days notice He was on his 4th vacation of the year and i couldn't afford one, because he didn't pay for the hygienist's time off, even if he was taking off, but he would pay for the front desk and assistants I knew it was going to be a nothing job in the beginning, but I didn't know how much of a nothing job it is Susan Miller in Greenlawn, New York said: I'm a Hygienist on Long Island for going on 16 yrs I was thinking about doing dental hygiene but I am not too sure now.

I am leaning towards clinical laboratory science or biotechnology. I am currently working on my Master degree in Management so I htin kthat will help me out for whatever I decide to do. Any more nsight into the career would be gretaly appreciative. I am a hygienist in TN. I have a slightly different perspective on this job. I have been doing this for three years now and I love it. I get paid well here in middle TN, and I get off for all holidays, and get vacations. Hygiene is a job where you can pick how many days you work and negotiate your salary based on your experience.

It is one of the top paid associate and bachelors health professions coming straight out of college. Just bc someone else had a bad experience does not mean every hygienist hates thier job. I think it mostly depends on who you work for. I work for a great dentist. He is honest and very generous when it comes to money and time. Hygienists make more than nurses straight out of school and in the long run have better schedules.

Most offices do not offer health ins. Working for a dentist IS working for a small business. Hopsitals offer much more. So I won't be so quick to say hygiene is a BETTER choice it all dependents on what you want as a individual.

How do you like dental hygiene? I am still debating on this and need all the insight I can get No, she wouldn't mind a male DH Trust me, I've been a DH for 15 years The school will take your money and tell you how, much opportunity there is for male DH OR would it have been more financially rewarding had you become an RN in ny?

Get new comments by email My Email You can cancel email alerts at anytime. Hi Thomas, I really wish I could give you a different answer and say that getting into DH school was that easy. Hi again Thomas, There is no need to attend grad school for dental hygiene. Thomas, The "2 year" programs do not include pre-reqs which take about 2 years so all in all it's really 4 years for an associate 's degree or certificate in DH.

Good luck hope that helps. Hey Jennifer Have you decided what you are going to do? Did you start your program yet? Or were you still deciding what to do? Best of luck to you! Anne in Denver, Colorado said: Hi T Hewitt, It was possible to get enough hours to make it my primary job if I choose to All be blesses and thank GOD for what we have.

Hi Am Just curious Brooke Holmes in Greenbrier, Tennessee said: Hi, I am a hygienist in TN. Yes maybe some Hygienists make more then nurses BUT nurses have more opportunity. Top Cities for Dental Hygienist Jobs Chicago, IL 62 Houston, TX 56 Seattle, WA 51 Los Angeles, CA 44 Austin, TX 37 Find Dental Hygienist Jobs by City, State, or ZIP.

View Dental Hygienist job trends. For jobs in France, visit Indeed France. Comments 51 to of Thomas Hewitt in Brooklyn, New York months ago. RDH-to-be in Loma Linda, California months ago. Jennifer in Fullerton, California months ago.

Kate in Brooklyn, New York months ago. Ashley in Fayetteville, North Carolina months ago. Jennifer in Placentia, California months ago. Good luck - Was this comment helpful? Cindy in Port Saint Lucie, Florida months ago.

Delia Wilkins in Rome, Italy months ago. Nicole in Baltimore, Maryland months ago. T Hewitt in Patchogue, New York months ago. T Hewitt in Brooklyn, New York months ago. Jessy months ago. Thanks - Was this comment helpful? C in Brandon, Florida months ago.

Registered Nurse in Ellabell, Georgia months ago. Jennifer in San Jose, California months ago. Mari in Chicago, Illinois months ago. Danielle in Grand Island, New York months ago. Ashly in Silverton, Oregon months ago. I am just now finish with all pre classes and applied for dental hyg school I am confused beacause in austin they are not many jobs I do not know what to do a RN i thought about that to travel all around south america since a speak spanish and be travling nurse I just do not know what demand for a dental hygenist jobs someone give some advice - Was this comment helpful?

Z in Toronto, Ontario months ago. Anne in Littleton, Colorado months ago. Tina in Chicago, Illinois months ago. JC in Columbus, Ohio months ago. A in San Diego, California months ago. Susan Miller in Greenlawn, New York months ago. Top Cities for Dental Hygienist Jobs Chicago, IL 62 Houston, TX 56 Seattle, WA 51 Los Angeles, CA 44 Austin, TX 37 Find Dental Hygienist Jobs by City, State, or ZIP View Dental Hygienist salaries.