Dental Hygienist

I would like to know what is the job market like in Alabama? Can you find jobs easily here for a dental hygientist?

Also, I want to know if a background check and credit check is done before deciding to hire you for a dental hygienist? If so what are they looking for? Do you have to have perfect credit and so on? Thanks for any reply.

Traci in Winter Park, Florida said: In Alabama there are many hygienist who are trained on-the-job with no associates or bachelors degree. The salary is therefore much lower in this state, you can expect to make about half of what you make in a state require 2-4 years of school. I don't know about credit checks,since I have never any any state had to be subject to a credit check for my job.

I would like to know a little bit more about your job. Do you like it? Do they pay good in Florida for beginners? Oh, and I just got a letter from the school I'll be attending this Fall and they say they only accept 30 applicants each Fall and 119 applied. I'm kinda scared I might not get in? Do you have any suggestions?

I don't live in Winter Park, Fl now, but have lived in NC, WV, and VA. The starting pay in NC two years ago for me was 30/hr., WV was lower...25/hr was considered very high, VA is between 33-36/hr. These are with little experience 1-2 years. I was in the same boat as you regarding hygiene school. 200 applicants and 30 admitted, took all related course and scored high on the entrance examine and that helped a lot. I knew about 10 girls that got in off the waiting list. I like the job, but it is very repetitive, if you don't mind that your in business. It can be a bit boring, hygiene instructors would argue this point to death, but all RDH talk to agree. What did you think about comments about Alabama pay structure? I know a hygienist that moved from Charlotte, NC to Auburn, Al with a bachelors in Dental Hygiene to be offered 10/hr., that was 8 years ago and she was making 28/hr in Charlotte. She was completely insulted and didn't go to work at all. She found a job later that paid more and not related to DH and didn't require a degree or anything. She was just not about to let the dentist make a ton of money off her work...I am not sure I would have done the same thing, but she stood her ground. What do you hear about the pay in Alabama for DH with a degree as opposed to one that is trained on the job?

Traci in Winter Park, Florida said: I don't live in Winter Park, Fl now, but have lived in NC, WV, and VA. The starting pay in NC two years ago for me was 30/hr., WV was lower...25/hr was considered very high, VA is between 33-36/hr. These are with little experience 1-2 years. I was in the same boat as you regarding hygiene school. 200 applicants and 30 admitted, took all related course and scored high on the entrance examine and that helped a lot. I knew about 10 girls that got in off the waiting list. I like the job, but it is very repetitive, if you don't mind that your in business. It can be a bit boring, hygiene instructors would argue this point to death, but all RDH talk to agree. What did you think about comments about Alabama pay structure? I know a hygienist that moved from Charlotte, NC to Auburn, Al with a bachelors in Dental Hygiene to be offered 10/hr., that was 8 years ago and she was making 28/hr in Charlotte. She was completely insulted and didn't go to work at all. She found a job later that paid more and not related to DH and didn't require a degree or anything. She was just not about to let the dentist make a ton of money off her work...I am not sure I would have done the same thing, but she stood her ground. What do you hear about the pay in Alabama for DH with a degree as opposed to one that is trained on the job?

Well I was intrigued by all this... by a girl that came into my place of employment and told me she made 18 hr. just starting. She did say something vague about having to wait a year or something. I didn’t go into detail because I didn’t know what questions to ask her. But I thought 18 hour was like wow!

Now the problems going to be how do I get accepted once completed the minor requirements?

dannette watkins in Odenville, Alabama said: Well I was intrigued by all this... by a girl that came into my place of employment and told me she made 18 hr. just starting. She did say something vague about having to wait a year or something. I didn’t go into detail because I didn’t know what questions to ask her. But I thought 18 hour was like wow!

Now the problems going to be how do I get accepted once completed the minor requirements?

oh, how did you finally get in? I mean what do I have to do? the Program Director sent me a letter stating I would have a better chance of getting in if I took the Dental Assisting Program. I just need some good advice. Thanks for any information you can give me. Oh, what is the pay like in Florida because in the near future I want to move to Panama City, Florida. I also went to the www.adha.org site and they recommended signing up for SADHA which is for students. Have you heard of it and what do you recommend?

dannette watkins in Odenville, Alabama said: Well I was intrigued by all this... by a girl that came into my place of employment and told me she made 18 hr. just starting. She did say something vague about having to wait a year or something. I didn’t go into detail because I didn’t know what questions to ask her. But I thought 18 hour was like wow!

Now the problems going to be how do I get accepted once completed the minor requirements?

oh, how did you finally get in? I mean what do I have to do? the Program Director sent me a letter stating I would have a better chance of getting in if I took the Dental Assisting Program. I just need some good advice. Thanks for any information you can give me. Oh, what is the pay like in Florida because in the near future I want to move to Panama City, Florida. I also went to the www.adha.org site and they recommended signing up for SADHA which is for students. Have you heard of it and what do you recommend?

i'm an RDH in Washington (for 17 years) and make $44/hr with benefits.i know others that make a little more and a little less. wages on the West Coast are higher than other areas. I'm not sure if all states train & license RDH to administer nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), administer local anesthetics, take xrays and place restorations in addition to scaling above and below the gumline to remove debris from teeth. the job is highly repetetive and akward positions are required for many hours with very little breaks. i unfortunately am having to leave the profession because of body problems and pain from practicing so long. it is good pay and hours and is great working so closely with people. most hygiene schools are very competetive to get in, good grades and great personal interview skills are a must. accredited programs take 3-4 years (prerequisite courses then the hygiene training itself) then you have to take and pass state board exams to become licensed. helps to have dental experience but "assistant school" not really required. many dental offices will hire and train for dental assistant or sterilization tech which would get you some experience to put on hygiene application...... probably alot more info than you wanted but happened across this forum and thought i would type in some tidbits :) oh yeah, be sure you have nice teeth and use that smile!! that's usually good for getting in doors. i say go all the way and be a dentist if you're young....or better yet sales and save your body.

I am now working in Missouri, but graduated and practiced as a hygienist in Florida for 4 years. When I first graduated from college approx 7 years ago, the pay was $20 to $25 hr. When I left after four years I was making $27 hr. I came to MO and started right out at $30+ hr. and the cost of living is much cheaper. It is a great profession, but hard work. Don't let anyone tell you different it can be trying mentally and physically. But I love working with people and feeling like I have educated them and improved their health knowledge, that is rewarding.

I graduated from only one Dental Hygiene program in Alabama last spring. Some girls in my class went through Den.Ass first - wasted time. Also, the Mikky Mouth proceptorship hygienist situation in Al keeps pay for us , educated RDH, very low - 18$/h for start if lucky. Right now there are no offers around Montgomery area at all.Some good offers and Fed jobs - all for bachelor's. No wonder everybody with degree from WSCC moves to other States.
Good luck

I am glad you addressed this. The girl in alabama thinking pay was great didn't understand the dynamics of hygiene jobs in Alabama. Sorry to hear others move to other states, because Alabama needs good hygienist.

There is an advantage for the proceptorship girls in Al to make up to $20/h without any Ed. They are hapyy. What is funny for me that most of them don't even realize that there is a real college people go to in order to get a degree in DH. All of them start from scratch as DAss., get trained on the job and in one year want to become RDH. They are making no more than $10/h and looking at DH every day with envy. Their dentist sents them to UAB week end coarses to get their DH license upon completion. Docs pay for it in most cases because they want their homegrone DH to stay. In most cases young girls leave - they are sick of all B>S> they are putting up with along the road. It is the payment for being uneducated. It also bring a lot of pressure on us "real" DH- less respect from eather side.
Sorry for the sharp truth, reality some times hurts.

Im trying to decide what I want to do with my life. I started college in 99 in a DH program in NY. But I went to the military for 6 1/2 years and got out last year. I've been trying to finish the pre-requisites for the DH program so that I could get into the one school that offers it in my area. So far I have A's and B's in all pre-req's, mostly A's. My doubt right now is getting a good job when I get out. I didn't realize that alot of the DH jobs don't come with benefits. That is something that I would need. The other program that I am looking at is Nursing. Its definitely not my first choice, but there are alot of job opportunities. What do you think is the best choice for me? Also while in DH school, how hard is it to work full time? I would need to because I will be a single parent by the time I would be able to start school and I will not be able to afford to be out of work. Thanks in advance for your responses.

I actually need advice. I'm struggling with these pre-req science classes, and I know that's my foot in the door to get into the program. Does anyone out there have any advice or knowledge of what I can do to better my chances with surviving in these classes. Honestly I live and breathe for Dental Hygiene there's so much good you can do with it not saying that there aren't other careers but Dental Hygiene is what makes the zing taste better, lol

I'm also a WSCC graduate (2005). I now live in KY because my husband is in school here, not because of better pay for me as a DH - but that is nice. I started out at $24/hr here and now make $26/hr. When I temp in offices I get $27/hr. I know this is much more than I could make in AL and the cost of living is not much different. I agree that the reason is the ADHP - AL DH Program, but I do not feel the anger towards my fellow hygienists like some do about this. I believe it is the State Board and dentist who are responsible. The state board allows this to happen and the dentist like it because it saves them money. Who's to say if I was working as an assistant and was offered a free education and opportunity to make more money and have a respected career as a hygienist I wouldn't take it? That is, not knowing my other options - college degree. I think it is sad that AL only has one DH degree program. I love my job, but it is very physically and mentally draining. Also, finding a job w/ benefits has been difficult and finding a dentist to work for that cares as much about patient care as he/she does about money is not so easy. I don't think assisting school would be a waste, but definitely not necessary. To help get in the program... good grades, good ACT score, take pre-requistes at WSCC, go get your teeth cleaned there and meet everyone, don't take "no" for an answer - call a lot! If you plan on moving to FL - I here it is one of the hardest state boards because everyone wants to move there so they have to keep it competitive.

[I don't know why people always put the hygiene program down. It is a lot more than having on the job training. I attended classes taught by Dentist that teach Dental Students at the program in Alabama. And to participate in the program you have to have at least 2 years in the dental field (chairside assisting). Our pay here in Huntsville, Al is from $22-$27/hr. I know, I live here and work here. By the way we have to take state boards and pass just like everyone else.

Thanks
Dental Hygienist

It must be MOntgomery that is uneducated. Here in Huntsville/Madison area we are educated in our field of Hygiene. I see patients everyday that move here for PA, NY, Ca, and many other states. they have periodontal disease that has never been diagnosed. Well all I am saying is that let's not say Alabamians are uneducated because they went through the 1 year Hygiene program. You must also make a certain score to pass. And the instructors don't give you anything. Many of the students already have some other type of degree as well. DID YOU KNOW THAT?

Hi I will probably be relocating to huntsville,al next year so that i can enter the dental hygiene program in birmingham,al since its quicker and cheaper then in california. but i do have a couple of questions.
1.Do the dentist pay while they are training,because i am already a dental assistant.
2.How long did it take you to get a job as a dental hygienist?
3.Can you open up your own dental hygiene practice?
4.Can you give the patients anesthetic without the supervision of a dentist?
Thank you
Please reply at
passion1holla@yahoo.com

ALSO ANYONE ELSE WHO KNOWS INFORMATION ABOUT THE DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM IN ALABAMA SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT,SALARY,ETC.LET ME KNOW

Rena' in Huntsville, Alabama said: [I don't know why people always put the hygiene program down. It is a lot more than having on the job training. I attended classes taught by Dentist that teach Dental Students at the program in Alabama. And to participate in the program you have to have at least 2 years in the dental field (chairside assisting). Our pay here in Huntsville, Al is from $22-$27/hr. I know, I live here and work here. By the way we have to take state boards and pass just like everyone else.

Thanks
Dental Hygienist

Do you mean Al state boards? And do you have to take the National Boards also?

im not comment on the statement i want to ask someone if i just got out of school for denal assistant now iwant to go far what at this time i can go for

Al hygienists do not qualify to take the National board. I have been a hygienist in AL since '96. I worked as an assistant for years before I began the ADHP. Once finished, we take a state board with clinicals. Most hygienists in Al make around $20 an hour. One dentist I worked with paid his hygienist around $30. The office I worked with most recently (I am now back in school) provided a retirement plan, medical insurance, uniforms, and paid vacation, and for full-time employees, holidays. I am not sure where a lot of girls get their information but, as far as hygiene goes, AL it is not a bad choice. The disadvantage of the ADHP is the inability to move forward in your career. The only option a hygienist has, that I know of, is to work clinically, chairside her entire career. I am hoping for a change in AL for us girls.

Another disadvantage to the Alabama hygienist is the inability to work in another state. Al is the only state in the US to have hygienist trained in this way. I personally think that it is unfair for the hygienist to spent so much time training, etc. and have no other options in the event of relocation. As far as only clinical hygiene, frankly that's what most hygienist do their whole career anyway. Again, Alabama hygienist trained through this program are limited to licensing in only one state.

The hygiene program in Alabama is very different than going to school for a "Degree in Dental Hygiene". Understand that you will not be able to work in another state EVER! It is not like California, therefore you don't open your own hygiene practice or do local anesthesia. It is a very limited learning program. The dentist in AL have done this program to keep hygiene pay down, so therefore they do not want you to go at it on your own taking money from their pocket. I am not totally against Alabama's way, just think every should be educated to the program and it's good and bad side.

Hello, my name is Maria Murillo. I'm a student in the state of Indiana. Now I'm taking a dental health class and I would like to ask few questions to a dental hygienist. Please let me know if somebody is available, you could e-mail me at mariamurillo89@yahoo.com. Thank you.

Yes- you can be a dental hygenist for a horse in alabama. job market is horrible...

Hello Everyone!
Looks like most dental hygienist are female. I am a male and am interested to know what it takes to be a dental hygienist in California. I have a graduate degree in a very different field. What are the pre-requisites and how long it takes to have a useful degree that will land a job after graduation? Any answer and advice will be appreciated. I don't have any experience in health related field but I do have a very nice teeth!

Why are you talking about hygiene for horses? Funny, but weird.

No I am talking about dental hygienist course. There are some I have seen offered which says is two year program. Then you can take a state examination to be a RDH. It looks like I will need to take some other courses so I meet prerequisites for starting this course.
Any more information and advice is welcome. I am still not sure if I really want to go in this field therefore I need to know more about this from professionals. Thank you.

Always go with a program that you receive an Associates (2yr. program) or BS (4 yr. program). You need a "degree" to work in all states except Alabama and to pass the National Boards, which Alabama girls going through the "preceptorship" program are not allowed to take because they are not nationally certified and can not work in any states except Alabama. I thought you were looking at Alabama that is why I told this information in the first reply. California has Associates degree programs either offered through your local community college or some dental schools that have the four year hygiene program sometimes offer the 2 yr. as well, but not very many do this.

Hello Traci:
Thank you for your advice.

Traci Wrote,
Always go with a program that you receive an Associates (2yr. program) or BS (4 yr. program). You need a "degree" to work in all states except Alabama and to pass the National Boards, which Alabama girls going through the "preceptorship" program are not allowed to take because they are not nationally certified and can not work in any states except Alabama. I thought you were looking at Alabama that is why I told this information in the first reply. California has Associates degree programs either offered through your local community college or some dental schools that have the four year hygiene program sometimes offer the 2 yr. as well, but not very many do this.

Rena' in Huntsville, Alabama said: [I don't know why people always put the hygiene program down. It is a lot more than having on the job training. I attended classes taught by Dentist that teach Dental Students at the program in Alabama. And to participate in the program you have to have at least 2 years in the dental field (chairside assisting). Our pay here in Huntsville, Al is from $22-$27/hr. I know, I live here and work here. By the way we have to take state boards and pass just like everyone else.
Thanks
Dental Hygienist

Hi Rena! I have been an RDA in TN for the past 8 yrs. I moved to Madison, AL in the spring and have been doing a great deal of research on the ADHP. Your article is the most helpful thing that I have found. So, please tell me all that you know.
Do you have to take classes to become a hygienist in the state of AL? I know that you have to take the boards. If you have to take a class where do you take it? How do I go about finding a dr that is looking for a hopeful hygienist? Do you work at all assisting the dr before receiving your license or is it pretty much hands on hygiene til you pass the boards? I can't imagine a dr having enough time in his or her schedule to mentor a hopeful hygienist. How long have you worked with your current employer? Any hiring going on??? :-) Any idea what assistants make in this area?

You can contact The Alabama Board of Dental Examiners. The enrollment for the Hygiene Program is once a year. The classes are given at UAB. If you are looking for a assisting position, to get into a dental office contact Allison with Professional Dental Temporary Agency in Birminham, Al. You can also attend Wallace State, and you don't need any prior dental experience to enter this program. I just changed offices, I worked at my previous job for 12 years. And I have a wonderful job with great benefits. So it is possible.....

I just started my first year in college this past fall, and i was wondering if anyone knew how much dental hygiensts make in the Richmond, Virginia area? And does it make a difference in having an associates degree or bacholers?

I don't know why people continually put down the Alabama Hygiene program. Although you can't practice outside of Alabama, that may be what people want. Some people have no desire to leave here. But I do know that I went through the program in 1999. I consider myself to be very educated when it comes to my job. I have seen people come form CA, NY, PA and other states that don't know the significance of probing and documentation. That is the basics and if you are not practicing that then you don't know hygiene.
So don't presume that the education is not there. I started off in pre-engineering . I was on my way to getting a degree in engineering and that was not what I wanted to do.
I will say to all, find what you like, if you want to do hygiene in Alabama don't let what everyone say discourage you. Find what you want to do and keep learning because things are added to this field all the time. It is changing all the time. Just love what you do..

I am seeking full-time employment and am licensed in Indiana for the past 12 years. Does anyone know of a Dr. needing a hygienist interested in patient care and values his hygienist's experience? I am currently learning Dentrix digital charting and digital x-rays. I am also available to relocate. Thanks in advance.

Nobody got teeth in Alabami, so no need for dental workers.....

I am interested in doing dental hygiene in Huntsville, AL. But am trying to figure out if i need to do the dental assisting program first for the experience and then go to Wallace for the Hygiene degree. Im scared that i want get into the program at Wallace b/c my ACT score was a little low... anyone got any advice?? any would be great! THANKS! and by the way people do have teeth in Alabama!!!!

You need to learn how to spell your states, The Hammer in San Francisco, California. I lived in Long Beach and San Jose and the teeth here are better.....

Kenia in Chesapeake, Virginia said: Im trying to decide what I want to do with my life. I started college in 99 in a DH program in NY. But I went to the military for 6 1/2 years and got out last year. I've been trying to finish the pre-requisites for the DH program so that I could get into the one school that offers it in my area. So far I have A's and B's in all pre-req's, mostly A's. My doubt right now is getting a good job when I get out. I didn't realize that alot of the DH jobs don't come with benefits. That is something that I would need. The other program that I am looking at is Nursing. Its definitely not my first choice, but there are alot of job opportunities. What do you think is the best choice for me? Also while in DH school, how hard is it to work full time? I would need to because I will be a single parent by the time I would be able to start school and I will not be able to afford to be out of work. Thanks in advance for your responses.

GO TO NURSING SCHOOL, IN THE LONG RUN IT WOULD BE BEST, I WISH THAT I WOULD HAVE GONE TO NURSING SCHOOL INSTEAD OF DH SCHOOL!

Nikki in Huntsville, Alabama said: I am interested in doing dental hygiene in Huntsville, AL. But am trying to figure out if i need to do the dental assisting program first for the experience and then go to Wallace for the Hygiene degree. Im scared that i want get into the program at Wallace b/c my ACT score was a little low... anyone got any advice?? any would be great! THANKS! and by the way people do have teeth in Alabama!!!!

Make sure you have the prerequistes (sp) out of the way if your school has them to get into hygiene. This would be classes like speech, sociology, etc. Some schools want you to have these first. Don't spend the time in assisting school, you will learn more in the fist couple of weeks of hygiene school than you would in a year of assisting school. In my class those that had experience in asisting only had a minor advantage in the language of dentistry the first couple of weeks. It does move at a fast pace but if you are committed to study and not a party goer you will do fine.

Renee' in Palm Harbor, Florida said: GO TO NURSING SCHOOL, IN THE LONG RUN IT WOULD BE BEST, I WISH THAT I WOULD HAVE GONE TO NURSING SCHOOL INSTEAD OF DH SCHOOL!

After 17yrs as RDH I say go to Nursing School and save your body from repetetive trauma, static positions and future pain!!Dentists want "machines" not humans.I'm young and can no longer work hygiene....any good ideas regarding career change at 39 for a sore and burned out RDH with an Assoc. degree??

I am currently a dental hygienist for 6 mos now. I work for a public health clinic. The RDH there has worked 4 days a week for 12 years. She gave up her Thurs to be with her daughter, so I went to work there on Thurs. I have not been able to find another job. I am supposed to fill-in for two mat.leaves in Dec and Feb. This RDH figures all of the other RDH's pay. When I first got hired I was told I would be pd 60% comission. The dds would pay me for the ins pts and private pays, but medicaid(most of our pts are) would be paid later when and if medicaide paid him. It's my only job offer, so i won't quit. But when finish a prophy we put a tally mark by the adult medicaid and a tally by the child medicaid....the more pts the more tallies in pencil marks on our sheet. This RDH collects all the sheets for both offices figures our wages and turns it in. When I got my first check I got $79 for 16 hrs (less than $5hr). She explained to me that she deemed what she paid me. Shes used to making so much..(Kind of like the neighbor hiring a kid to fill-in for her during a paper route or something and giving them $5)But I work every thurs...I will not be recieving the medicaid payments, she will, because shes over me. She is also knocking patients out in 20 mins...3 pts an hr. So she already makes $71 hr by doing this, she said that these are KMAP $39 patients and they are going to get a $39 cleaning.. if we even clean 1 tooth...the way these ppl are were doing them a favor. I thought that was harsh. The dentist will not get involved...he just says "you girls all work it out!" Also, I rely on my instruments. She is left handed says she never learned how to instrumentate she just went to town with the calvatron. She said don't use are instruments they have been here since before I have. I looked at all of them, no cutting edges, severely and retipped to the extreme, I tried sharpening them, but its not adequate. Its just like treadmill, pts in/out! advice???

OH my gosh! My dear, I am afraid you need to quit. I completely understand how you feel about not having another job, but you cannot work like this. Go to amyrdh.com and go to the rdh online forum and post this same message. You will get alot of great advice from alot of different rdhs. I too went to work for a jerk straight out of school and stayed 5months b/c I couldn't find a job. It finally came to the point where I walked out - with no other job lined up. It was quite depressing for several weeks, but you never know what will happen. Sometimes you just have to pretend that this job isn't in existence so you don't consider staying there. Go to the forum and see what others tell you.
Good luck, olivia

Are there any dental hygiene programs that are easy to get in, or are all pretty competetive? Also, what is the advantage of an bachelor's compared to associates degree?

sarah in Glendale, Arizona said: Are there any dental hygiene programs that are easy to get in, or are all pretty competetive? Also, what is the advantage of an bachelor's compared to associates degree?

I am just finishing my first semester in a DH program in Kansas City. They accepted 26 people out of 200 that applied, as did the one other school in the area. From my research, this is pretty typical of all schools across the country. It is not unusual for a girl to apply 2 and 3 years in a row before getting in. My best advice to you is to take ALL the general ed classes that the program requires, visit the school's clinic and talk with the current students about their interviews. They are your best resource for information about their program, so use it! As far as the 2 yr degree versus the 4 yr, no dentist that I talked to (and it was alot!) cared about which degree you possessed. The overall feel I got from them is that they are more concerned whether you are a good fit for the office. Hope this helps and good luck!

I have interest in pursuing the dental hygiene field. However, I'm at a lost b/w a 2 yr. assoc. degree and a 4 yr. bach. There is a college that offers dental hygiene as a 2 year program not far from me, but I also see a lot of training schools for medical and dental programs... I guess I want to say sort of like a trade school. My question is, how competitive is the dental hygienist field? Should I do a 2 yr. or 4 yr? What more can I get out of a 4 yr. program I can't get out of 2? (Besides debt...heheheh)

Thanks in advance everyone!!!!

I have been doing Dental Hygiene for 17 years. Let me tell you young girls interested what it is like. First, it is VERY difficult to find a dentist who will treat you like a human being and be on time when it comes to raises. You have to continue to chase them and beg. All you are to them are cash cows and the poor patients suffer at their expense. When it comes to working with good equipment, it is difficult again, to find a dentist who will provide you with what you need. So shoddy instruments, shoddy prophys. The patients pay again. You basically are turning out patients like an assembly line, often not given the correct time to do a professional job. Your body after years of this awkward position will suffer and don't think you'll be doing this until you retire. The pace of the job, aches and pains will surely prevent this. Also, be ready to deal with the front desk. Even though they are off the street and trained in office making a low pay, they think they are mightier than thou. I have run into a few good people, that is rare.
Be prepared after ten years of coming home so exhausted, you barely have enough energy to eat and shower. Forget going out for dinner or to a movie, you'll fall asleep. I recommend another field, where you have opportunities for advancement. There is none in this field, unless you want to go to dental school. The job is dead end. There are those who will try and argue with me that it is a wonderful career, blah, blah, blah... Ten of my closest friends from college, who are also dental hygienist absolutely hate it! We are stuck in this field as night school is out of the question due to us collapsing at the end of the day as mentioned above. We are all single, so we have noone to support us, so we can just go back to school and not have to work this "assembly line" job. If the money is what is making you persue this, there are tons of other fields that pay and are more rewarding.

I would like to know the average dental hygiene salary on an hourly or yearly basis with only two years experience in the Corpus Christi Texas area.
I would appreciate any help or comments on this matter.

Hey I am about to start a 2 year DH program in North Carolina. I have taken 2 years at the University of North Alabama majoring in social work but my huband joined the Marine Corps so we moved up here. I will finish DH school in Spring 2010 then we will move back to Alabama in September of 2010. What will I do about the licensing since Alabama's DH program is so different from all the others? Will I have to take the board exam over again or will I have to work with a dentist there first then take the board exam, or will they just accept my degree and I get a job?

Hi everyone,
I am an RDH working in the suburbs of Boston Massachusetts. I was wondering if anyone is up on the salary scale for the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton area or the Pocono Mountain area of Pennsylvania. It is funny that I ask this question since I was born and raised there, but I moved away 6 months after I got out of school. I am considering moving back in a few years but was concerned about the pay scale and the availability of jobs in the market.. especially in the Wilkes-Barre area. Near Boston the jobs are plentiful and the pay scale is comfortable considering the high price of living we have here. I have been in my office for over 5 years now and make $36hr with medical benefits. The other area I am considering moving to is around San Diego Ca. What is the job market/pay scale like in that region? What are hygienist eligible/responsible to do? Here in Mass they are now allowing us to do local anesthesia. I have not yet taken the required classes since they cost $1400 and completion of a NERB exam for state licensing... in do time I will though.
Any information that can be provided would be appreciated...
Thanks