### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Dental Hygienists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			dental hygienists imageDental hygienists examine patients’ teeth and gums for signs of oral diseases or abnormalities.							
						Quick Facts:     Dental Hygienists2023     Median Pay
            						$87,530     per year
										$42.08     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Associate's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    219,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    7% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    16,300What Dental Hygienists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Nearly all dental hygienists work in dentists’ offices, and many work part time.
            
                                                How to Become a Dental Hygienist
                                                
                        
Dental hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $87,530 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of dental hygienists is projected to grow							 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 16,400 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental hygienists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental hygienists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about dental hygienists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Dental Hygienists Do 
            

			Dental hygienistsDental hygienists wear safety glasses, surgical masks, and gloves to protect themselves and their patients from diseases.			
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. They also educate patients about oral health.
Duties
Dental hygienists typically do the following:
Remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth
Apply sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth
Take and develop dental x rays
Assess patients’ oral health and report findings to dentists
Document patient care and treatment plans
Educate patients about oral hygiene techniques, such as how to brush and floss correctlyDental hygienists use many types of tools—including hand, power, and ultrasonic tools—in their work. In some cases, they use lasers. Hygienists remove stains with an air-polishing device, which sprays a combination of air, water, and baking soda. They polish teeth with a power tool that works like an automatic toothbrush. Hygienists also use x-ray machines to take pictures to check for tooth or jaw problems.
Dental hygienists talk to patients about ways to keep their teeth and gums healthy. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health. They may also advise patients on how to select toothbrushes and other oral care devices.
The tasks hygienists may perform, and the extent to which they must be supervised by a dentist, vary by state and by the setting in which the dental hygienist works. A few states allow hygienists with additional training, sometimes called *dental therapists*, to provide some restorative services, such as extracting primary teeth and placing temporary crowns.
 Work Environment
			Dental hygienistsDental hygienists discuss diet and other topics that affect a patient’s dental health.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Dental hygienists held about 219,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of dental hygienists were as follows:
        Offices of dentists
                93%Offices of physicians
                1Government
                1Dental hygienists wear safety glasses, surgical masks, and gloves to protect themselves and patients from infectious diseases. When taking x rays, they follow procedures to protect themselves and patients from radiation.
Work Schedules
Many dental hygienists work part time. Dentists may hire hygienists to work only a few days a week, so some hygienists work for more than one dentist.
 How to Become a Dental Hygienist

			Dental hygienistsDental hygienists remove tartar and plaque from teeth.			
Dental hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
Education
Dental hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene; they may also get a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree programs in dental hygiene are available but are relatively uncommon. A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Dental hygiene programs are often found in community colleges, technical schools, and universities. The Commission on Dental Accreditation, part of the American Dental Association, accredits more than 300 dental hygiene programs.
Programs typically take 3 years to complete and offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction. Areas of study include anatomy, medical ethics, and periodontics, which is the study of gum disease.
High school students interested in becoming dental hygienists should take courses in biology, chemistry, and math. Most dental hygiene programs also require applicants to complete prerequisites, which often include college-level courses. Specific requirements vary by school.
Important Qualities
***Critical thinking.***Dental hygienists must be able to assess and evaluate patients and to develop oral hygiene care plans.
***Communication skills.*** Dental hygienists must share information with dentists and patients about oral health status, oral hygiene care plans, and, if necessary, lifestyle counseling.
***Detail oriented.*** Dental hygienists must follow specific rules and protocols to help dentists diagnose and treat a patient. Depending on the state in which they work and/or the treatment provided, dental hygienists may work without the direct supervision of a dentist.
***Dexterity.*** Dental hygienists must be good at working with their hands. They generally work in tight spaces on a small part of the body, which requires fine motor skills using precise tools and instruments.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Dental hygienists work closely with dentists. They also must be considerate in working with patients, especially with those who are sensitive to pain or who have fears about undergoing dental treatment.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Dental hygienists develop and implement oral hygiene care plans to maintain or improve patients’ oral health.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state. In most states, a degree from an accredited dental hygiene program and passing written and clinical examinations are required for licensure. To maintain licensure, hygienists must complete continuing education requirements. For specific requirements, contact your state’s Board of Dental Examiners.
Many jobs also require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Dental HygienistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners$98,760  Dental hygienists$87,530  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $87,530 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $65,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,400.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for dental hygienists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Offices of dentists
                $88,450Offices of physicians
                80,340Government
                71,030Benefits, such as vacation, sick leave, and retirement contributions, vary by employer and may be available only to full-time workers.
Many dental hygienists work part time. Dentists may hire hygienists to work only a few days a week, so some hygienists work for more than one dentist.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Dental HygienistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners9%  Dental hygienists7%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of dental hygienists is projected to grow				 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 16,400 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Demand for dental services is expected to increase as the large baby-boom population ages and as people keep more of their original teeth than in previous generations.
Studies linking oral health and general health, along with efforts to expand access to oral hygiene services, should continue to drive demand for preventive dental services, including those performed by hygienists. In addition, demand for dental hygienists is expected to grow as state laws increasingly allow dental hygienists to work at the top of their training.
			

                        Employment projections data for     dental hygienists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Dental hygienists**
			29-1292
			219,400
			235,700
			7
			16,300
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Dental hygienists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of dental hygienists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Dental Assistants**
            Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $46,540**Dentists**
            Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $170,910**Medical Assistants**
            Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients’ vital signs.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $42,000**Physician Assistants**
            Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician.
            Master's degree
            $130,020**Physicians and Surgeons**
            Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            This wage is equal to or greater than $239,200 per year.**Radiation Therapists**
            Radiation therapists administer doses of radiation to patients who have cancer or other serious diseases.
            Associate's degree
            $98,300**Radiologic and MRI Technologists**
            Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.
            Associate's degree
            $76,020**Registered Nurses**
            Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
            Bachelor's degree
            $86,070
 Contacts for More Information
								
For information about educational requirements and available accredited programs for dental hygienists, visit
American Dental Hygienists’ Association
For information about accredited programs and educational requirements, visit
Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association
The State Board of Dental Examiners in each state can provide information on licensing requirements.
CareerOneStop
For a career video on dental hygienists, visit
Dental Hygienists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Dental Hygienists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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