Need support/advice about Dental Hygiene profession.........

I am a newly licensed hygienist(almost 1 year)and I often regret my decision to become one. When I started going to school I was in a large city with many opportunities, but then things changed and I moved to the middle of nowhere to complete school. It is now almost a year since getting my license and because of my husband's job I am still in this town. I have two part-time jobs....one in town and one that is over an hour commute. Everyday I wonder why I chose this profession. I have never liked school and when I learned that hygiene existed,I jumped at the idea of going to school for a few years to make decent money. Now that I have an associate's degree, I realize that I must go back to get a bachelor's. I have maxed out on student loans and cannot afford to continue my education. I don't know what to do. I feel that I was lied to in school. The teachers made this job sound so rewarding and accessible, but, in my opinion, it is not. Jobs are few and far between....most dentists require a few years experience in my area and I can't get the jobs I want(federal) because I only have an associate's degree. Is this pretty much true of every state? I never imagined it would be this hard. I do realize our economy is in the hole right now, but I am starting to lose it. One more thing, one of the dentists I work for is so unethical it makes me sick...but I am basically trapped. Anyone have any ideas on a new profession that I could switch to on a limited budget?

I graduated last may 08, got my license in june 08, started looking around september and still have no luck this is 2009 now. i am extremely depressed, i have tons of student loans that i have started paying on, i am currently umemployed. regret the decision to become a hygienist every single day. i'm 25 now and now i've decided to go into nursing school, and forget about DH all together. and i have also been advising everyone that's thinking about becoming a DH not to.

Me too! I wish that I could go back to school but can't right now. The reason I didnt go into nursing in the first place is because of the crazy hours.....but now I regret not doing it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Wow, I can't relate to any of those stories! I graduated ten years ago and love my Profession. I started off making $27/hour and now I make $40/hour. I love what I do and I like the dentists I work with. Maybe this is only unique to Arizona. If so move here if you can. I am moving to California soon. The job marked is not so good there. You have to work part time at many different offices. Maybe I lucked out with Arizona. I don't know. Good luck. For those of you who want to be nurses. Remember their hours are crazy and their jobs are difficult. Talk to some R.N.'s first. You will get a job more easily but is it the job you want. They don't pay as well as Dental Hygiene jobs do:) beth

sorry girls yall are having a tough time!! Ive been a hygienist for four years... I do love my job and what I do! I think it has to do more with who you work with/for. I have been in a crummy office/offices with unethical dentists or wierd/odd dentists. It does make a huge difference of how well you enjoy your job. Unfortunately, it is hard right now due to the economy. I have noticed a decline in the amount of patients that can come in and it stresses out the dentist. I work two part time jobs too! One is close and one is an hour. The one I drive farther for is the one I enjoy more...its all about how the dentist treats you and how well you get along with everyone.
Although if you didnt like hygiene at all in school, they really didnt lie to you...you may have just had false hope? You have to enjoy your job and what you do. I would try finding a better hygiene position first. Then if you still dont like it, then change. But I agree with Beth, to me it would be harder to be a nurse.
I couldnt change bedpans! (And even if you dont do it for your career, you have to do it in school!)

Hi Courtney, I hope your situation is better by now. I have been on unemployment for 7 months and had been driving an hour one way for 2 years. I have been a hygienist for 15 years and most of the time I have loved what I do. It does seem more jobs are becoming available on a few of the websites I check. I feel for all of us that have lost jobs or couldn't get one upon graduation. One thing I have found here is that wages have come down because there are so many hygienists applying for a position. I recently talked to the dr that let me go and he had 76 resumes for 1 day a week in Indianapolis and is offering less that half of what he paid me. So I know that is not good. Let us know how your nursing goes! Good Luck.

Hi Courtney, I hope your situation is better now, too, but think before going back to school to pursue another profession. After high school, I went to college and finished my bachelor's degree in nursing. While I've never been unemployed, I left nursing after about 5 years. The hours can be terrible and the work is very difficult. It's a quality of life thing, I guess. The point is, go into a profession because you really think you'll like the work, not because you think it'll be a way to quick money and a sure job. While I don't regret getting my undergraduate degree, I wouldn't do it in nursing again.

beth in Tucson, Arizona said: Wow, I can't relate to any of those stories! I graduated ten years ago and love my Profession. I started off making $27/hour and now I make $40/hour. I love what I do and I like the dentists I work with. Maybe this is only unique to Arizona. If so move here if you can. I am moving to California soon. The job marked is not so good there. You have to work part time at many different offices. Maybe I lucked out with Arizona. I don't know. Good luck. For those of you who want to be nurses. Remember their hours are crazy and their jobs are difficult. Talk to some R.N.'s first. You will get a job more easily but is it the job you want. They don't pay as well as Dental Hygiene jobs do:) beth

Beth, my husband is looking at a position in Tucson currently, but I told him it may be unwise to move there because I won't be able to find a hygiene job. How easy, in your opinion, would it be for me to find a job in Tucson?

Why is everyone bashing nursing? Is hygiene not difficult, also? I think so.....this seems to be the most likely reply on these hygiene forums when someone mentions nursing. Nurses get WAAAAAAAAY more respect than hygienists and there are some people out there that think a hygienist is the same thing as an assistant. I am in no way trying to be disrespectful to assistants, because in my opinion they do more work than hygienists. My point is that hygiene is not highly recognized for what it is. I didn't go through hell (school) to be treated as if I don't matter on the dental team.
I am well aware of the hours that nurses keep...I have friends that are nurses and in the past I have worked in a hospital doing sleep studies. So, I am very aware of what I would be getting into. To the person that said that hygienists make more...well it's all relative. That wouldn't be the case for me. I am stuck in a town with no opportunities for hygiene. So I work 16 hours a week as opposed to 30-40+ hours a week if I were a nurse. So, in my case I do not make more than nurses in my area.
Personally, I do not agree with the person who said that I should find a job that I like to do rather than trying to make money. I believe that most people that say that are liars. I live in a society where status and money are everything. Where do you live? I realize that this is not a good way to live life, but it is what I know. Every job that I would be interested in pays next to nothing. I would be better off working a minimum wage job if that were the case. I need to have a car, home, food, etc.....that is where money comes into the picture.
You must understand how angry I am with myself. I am not the type of person that likes to play the guessing game with life. My husband is a pharmacist and could go anywhere in this country and probably be able to find a job. Then, there is me.....I can barely keep the one I have (because of economy). It's very stressful.

Hi Courtney, The economy doesn't help us + the number of R.D.H.'s in this field now : in schools, new grad's and older R.D.H.'s with experience (sometimes staying in the job market because of : loss of IRA, 401K money, and or spouse loss of their job, divorce...it goes on and on....I think any program that you would be interested in would end up being 2+ years for a degree and unfortunately cost if you want employment with a fair paycheck when completed. I know this migth be a step "sideways", but, if you have any training in D.A. or can get on the job training you could still utilize some of the Dental Knowlege you have. A lot of retraining won't also give you the $ you deserve or would like to have with this economy and number of people "possibly" thinking like you. Maybe check into the hospitals in your area as to other "Science" oriented careers? It seems all types of training and availibility is unfortunately stressful and lots of resumes out there...Your husband being a Pharmacist is great, but I understand you wanting a career and bringing home some $ too. I personally hope this economy turns around too! I am finding very little work , but keep using my skills as I can . I feel like a telemarketer somedays, but I really still enjoy my profession, so I continue to utilize every avenue I can think of....Take care, and get back to us with any positives you encounter.*

Yeah....I think I got on the bandwagon at the wrong time. When I started out a few years ago...all the news websites were starting to advertise DH as a good career. Now that it is catching on more and more...I completely understand what you are saying about oversaturation. I, also, understand what you said about re-training...I assume you meant going into nursing? I know that it is more years of hard work, but in almost every newspaper I have searched across the country, I seem to always see ads for nurses. I chose DH for a few reasons.....the hours, money, time needed for schooling and what I thought was a stable job. At this point and time I am wondering if DH is a stable job? Now that I am practicing I feel as if my job is dispensable and DH's aren't really needed when times get tough, because the dentist can do what the hygienist does. Where as nurses will always be needed. Don't get me wrong, I love hygiene , but I, like most others, need a job. It's so bad where I live that I can't even get a job at Walmart. Again, I know that the economy is bad, but there are still jobs out there that are indispensable and I am ranting on and on because I wish that I had one of them right now. My initial reason for writing on here was to see how other DH's around the country felt about working in their area and if this is a country wide thing? I am from Baltimore, originally, and now live in a small town, but whenever I look in the Baltimore newspaper it is very common to find at least a couple of DH openings. It doesn't seem to be this way around the rest of the country.

Me in Cumberland, Maryland said: Yeah....I think I got on the bandwagon at the wrong time. When I started out a few years ago...all the news websites were starting to advertise DH as a good career. Now that it is catching on more and more...I completely understand what you are saying about oversaturation. I, also, understand what you said about re-training...I assume you meant going into nursing? I know that it is more years of hard work, but in almost every newspaper I have searched across the country, I seem to always see ads for nurses. I chose DH for a few reasons.....the hours, money, time needed for schooling and what I thought was a stable job. At this point and time I am wondering if DH is a stable job? Now that I am practicing I feel as if my job is dispensable and DH's aren't really needed when times get tough, because the dentist can do what the hygienist does. Where as nurses will always be needed. Don't get me wrong, I love hygiene , but I, like most others, need a job. It's so bad where I live that I can't even get a job at Walmart. Again, I know that the economy is bad, but there are still jobs out there that are indispensable and I am ranting on and on because I wish that I had one of them right now. My initial reason for writing on here was to see how other DH's around the country felt about working in their area and if this is a country wide thing? I am from Baltimore, originally, and now live in a small town, but whenever I look in the Baltimore newspaper it is very common to find at least a couple of DH openings. It doesn't seem to be this way around the rest of the country.

Hi! Hang in there. I believe all the states have varying degrees of employment for us. I know that the N.E. is feeling the tight market. Some (some) do have employment, but it appears P.T. For the fortunate few who have F.T. good for you, but remember that in this economy the $ may influence your F.T. status (even if you do a great job!).

CourtneyRDH in Cumberland, Maryland said: I am a newly licensed hygienist(almost 1 year)and I often regret my decision to become one. When I started going to school I was in a large city with many opportunities, but then things changed and I moved to the middle of nowhere to complete school. It is now almost a year since getting my license and because of my husband's job I am still in this town. I have two part-time jobs....one in town and one that is over an hour commute. Everyday I wonder why I chose this profession. I have never liked school and when I learned that hygiene existed,I jumped at the idea of going to school for a few years to make decent money. Now that I have an associate's degree, I realize that I must go back to get a bachelor's. I have maxed out on student loans and cannot afford to continue my education. I don't know what to do. I feel that I was lied to in school. The teachers made this job sound so rewarding and accessible, but, in my opinion, it is not. Jobs are few and far between....most dentists require a few years experience in my area and I can't get the jobs I want(federal) because I only have an associate's degree. Is this pretty much true of every state? I never imagined it would be this hard. I do realize our economy is in the hole right now, but I am starting to lose it. One more thing, one of the dentists I work for is so unethical it makes me sick...but I am basically trapped. Anyone have any ideas on a new profession that I could switch to on a limited budget?

Problem was you became the victim of mass DH program expansion--Schools also found out it was lucrative to start DH schools. The market is totally saturated!! everywhere!DHAP model being the next big thing-- consider that path--public health will utilize them and Indian health.This will not be fast track!!! I have practiced for almost 35 years in a periodontal practice- they can be unethical but not as bad as GD.If get a chance-work for 1

Thanks for your advice, but you basically listed everything that I can't afford to do.

CourtneyRDH in Cumberland, Maryland said: I am a newly licensed hygienist(almost 1 year)and I often regret my decision to become one. When I started going to school I was in a large city with many opportunities, but then things changed and I moved to the middle of nowhere to complete school. It is now almost a year since getting my license and because of my husband's job I am still in this town. I have two part-time jobs....one in town and one that is over an hour commute. Everyday I wonder why I chose this profession. I have never liked school and when I learned that hygiene existed,I jumped at the idea of going to school for a few years to make decent money. Now that I have an associate's degree, I realize that I must go back to get a bachelor's. I have maxed out on student loans and cannot afford to continue my education. I don't know what to do. I feel that I was lied to in school. The teachers made this job sound so rewarding and accessible, but, in my opinion, it is not. Jobs are few and far between....most dentists require a few years experience in my area and I can't get the jobs I want(federal) because I only have an associate's degree. Is this pretty much true of every state? I never imagined it would be this hard. I do realize our economy is in the hole right now, but I am starting to lose it. One more thing, one of the dentists I work for is so unethical it makes me sick...but I am basically trapped. Anyone have any ideas on a new profession that I could switch to on a limited budget?

Are you near any Army Bases?? Prisons??? There is a special website for Govt contact DH jobs I just cannot remember what it is??? I live in Tucson for 25 years and the DH that worked on the bases earned less per hour but had all the great govt benefits. So did the DH working at the VA and County clinics.

CourtneyRDH in Cumberland, Maryland said: Thanks for your advice, but you basically listed everything that I can't afford to do.

Courtney, How's the job situation for you now? Any opportunities? Look into being an assistant...but at least it would be in Dentistry...Are you using the temp. agencies in your area? Call them OFTEN (2-3x daily). Have you been out to offices with resumes and/or business cards in hand? If not .....be persistant in a nice way....If you are willing to travel further and take work last minute (a lot like this through agencies), let those offices and the temp. ag's know...GL

Thanks for asking exp. I did find another part time job over an hour away. There is absolutely no opportunities in the town that I live in and there are no temp agencies here. Believe me I looked VERY hard for almost 5 months until I FINALLY found something. I consider myself very fortunate.

omg im just getting my grd 12 now and wanted to go into dental hegienist, but im thinking twice now .im so confuze.And dont know what to take in gollege. i like sicence and also im a very social person.lord help me .....I DONT NOT WANT TO END-UP IN TONS OF STUDENT LOANS ....Im alone in canada with no family i cant imagin what this is gona be like if i ended up like one of those girls ....however what i do know for a fact i know someone who take on this career and was successful in it but not successfull in finding a full-time job.....im thinking of all this now ......

CourtneyRDH in Cumberland, Maryland said: Me too! I wish that I could go back to school but can't right now. The reason I didnt go into nursing in the first place is because of the crazy hours.....but now I regret not doing it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Im sorry to say this and know that it may come across as harsh, but it sounds like you chose your profession for all the wrong reasons. If what you REALLY wanted to do in the first place was nursing, then you had to know that you weren't going to be happy in hygiene. Choosing a career should not be for the money or for a "quick fix" decision because you've decided not to pursue what you really want to do in the first place. Hygiene is something that you should feel passionate about; otherwise this is a dis-justice to your patients, afterall, you are handleing their oral care. I agree that no one lied to you in school, what they taught you is what you get. Perhaps you are having a hard time finding a job because those you are applying with can clearly see that you are not happy with your career choice. Hiring dentists don't want someone who doesn't even like practicing hygiene to be the oral health care advocate for their practice. Please consider that no matter where you move to, and how readily available a full time hygiene job becomes to you, money will not make you happy... you have to love what you do because you will spend more hours in your life at your job than anywhere else.

I am currently a nursing student awaiting to get admittance into the BSN program @ my school.Its really hard with massive job losses and everybody trying to go back to school for nursing. I have worked in the medical field in various capacities and have looked at the RDH program at the local community college. I have also looked in continuing on to get my bachelors degree. Would this be wise would it make me more marketable? I truly think I'd be happy in either field but I want to know what my options are. Please Help!!

Maniandme in Winston Salem, North Carolina said: I am currently a nursing student awaiting to get admittance into the BSN program @ my school.Its really hard with massive job losses and everybody trying to go back to school for nursing. I have worked in the medical field in various capacities and have looked at the RDH program at the local community college. I have also looked in continuing on to get my bachelors degree. Would this be wise would it make me more marketable? I truly think I'd be happy in either field but I want to know what my options are. Please Help!!

Hi, Nursing , I feel is a more employable situation than is D.H. at this point in time. In many cases, you will most likely receive, "Benefits!!!", D.H.'s, at least the majority, receive hourly wage, CPR and OSHA training,....the rest is on your own dime and time...less job opp's at this time....If you have an in at an office, then go for D.H.. Since you have medical background, might I suggest pushing that fact, computer programs you know, etc. and see if you can find employment in the field: med or dent. as an office mgr., etc. to see what direction you may want to go in. D.H., I would recommend maybe in 10yrs, due to the abundance: new, grad's and older (yes, we are still keeping our jobs, and I for one will work as long as I can)....too many of us, lower pay, ben's (ha), and not enough work for those pracing now....GL on your decision.

Maniandme in Winston Salem, North Carolina said: I am currently a nursing student awaiting to get admittance into the BSN program @ my school.Its really hard with massive job losses and everybody trying to go back to school for nursing. I have worked in the medical field in various capacities and have looked at the RDH program at the local community college. I have also looked in continuing on to get my bachelors degree. Would this be wise would it make me more marketable? I truly think I'd be happy in either field but I want to know what my options are. Please Help!!

I finished my BSN in 1997 and even though I eventually left nursing, I don't regret the degree at all. In fact, I wouldn't be where I am today without it. It's my opinion and experience that a bachelors degree will open more doors in the long run. The BSN is a very recognized degree not only in medicine, but in industry where often times the minimum level of education required is a bachelors degree. I am not, however, familiar with the D.H. degrees - can you get a bachelors degree in D.H.?

Rend in Chicago, Illinois said: I finished my BSN in 1997 and even though I eventually left nursing, I don't regret the degree at all. In fact, I wouldn't be where I am today without it. It's my opinion and experience that a bachelors degree will open more doors in the long run. The BSN is a very recognized degree not only in medicine, but in industry where often times the minimum level of education required is a bachelors degree. I am not, however, familiar with the D.H. degrees - can you get a bachelors degree in D.H.?

Yes, you can...but the pay doesn't really change with one. BSN = more jobs open as is not the case with D.H. degree. Ben's , go for Nursing for longevity and benefits, and stability....GL

beth in Tucson, Arizona said: Wow, I can't relate to any of those stories! I graduated ten years ago and love my Profession. I started off making $27/hour and now I make $40/hour. I love what I do and I like the dentists I work with. Maybe this is only unique to Arizona. If so move here if you can. I am moving to California soon. The job marked is not so good there. You have to work part time at many different offices. Maybe I lucked out with Arizona. I don't know. Good luck. For those of you who want to be nurses. Remember their hours are crazy and their jobs are difficult. Talk to some R.N.'s first. You will get a job more easily but is it the job you want. They don't pay as well as Dental Hygiene jobs do:) beth[/QUOTE

You graduated TEN years ago! Our economy and school system has changed drastically since then. I don't understand how you relate to this story?

I have been struggling for 5 years. The jobs really are not out there and if they are they are the ones you do not really want such as a shift from 4-8pm which no one wants. It's gotten ridiculous.I work in 4 offices, although this sounds promising the hours do not. The hours fluxuate greatly and there is no stability. There are days I wish I could turn back the clock and pick a different career one with benefits and steady hours and its nice to work in one place in stead of various places. I usually get a 2-3 hour lunch because they cant fill the whole day and go home early many nights when there are cancellations. May I remind you all that going home early means you dont get paid either the two-three hr lunches not paid either... this is lost time and money..the profession stinks

I'm going to Mexico for extractions and
over dentures. In spite of the problems
in Mexico I see no alternative or be wiped
out financially. I think you can read. Between
the lines.Dentists have a distorted perception
that we care for our teeth so much. Get
them pulled. If I ever get rich and famous
It will be implants. There's hope. If you
Have a conscionce don't go into a job
where you exploit people at their
most vulnerable state.

helen in Hamilton, Ontario said: I have been struggling for 5 years. The jobs really are not out there and if they are they are the ones you do not really want such as a shift from 4-8pm which no one wants. It's gotten ridiculous.I work in 4 offices, although this sounds promising the hours do not. The hours fluxuate greatly and there is no stability. There are days I wish I could turn back the clock and pick a different career one with benefits and steady hours and its nice to work in one place in stead of various places. I usually get a 2-3 hour lunch because they cant fill the whole day and go home early many nights when there are cancellations. May I remind you all that going home early means you dont get paid either the two-three hr lunches not paid either... this is lost time and money..the profession stinks

Helen: I agree, and things are just going to get worse for hygienists. Unless someone has a job lined up for them after graduation, they're going to scramble to get any work at all. I can empathize, I've been there. It's depressing and demoralizing. Could you consider another field of work? Now might be the time, since you still have some hours and pay, to go back to school and learn something that will treat you like a human being and give you a decent life. Hygiene is going downhill, fast. GL

helen in Hamilton, Ontario said: I have been struggling for 5 years. The jobs really are not out there and if they are they are the ones you do not really want such as a shift from 4-8pm which no one wants. It's gotten ridiculous.I work in 4 offices, although this sounds promising the hours do not. The hours fluxuate greatly and there is no stability. There are days I wish I could turn back the clock and pick a different career one with benefits and steady hours and its nice to work in one place in stead of various places. I usually get a 2-3 hour lunch because they cant fill the whole day and go home early many nights when there are cancellations. May I remind you all that going home early means you dont get paid either the two-three hr lunches not paid either... this is lost time and money..the profession stinks

Yes. I totally agree. I am fed up with the way I've been treated as a hygienist & I am in the medical coding program online in hopes of going into something more stable with possible benefits. I don't know what it is about dentistry but I have had to work for some CRAZY DENTISTS!!!!! I am hoping that going on the medical side will be much better but I'm so desparate to get out of hygiene anything sounds better! Good luck to you. My advice is to go back to school & go into something else.

lkn4job in Merrillville, Indiana said: I graduated last may 08, got my license in june 08, started looking around september and still have no luck this is 2009 now. i am extremely depressed, i have tons of student loans that i have started paying on, i am currently umemployed. regret the decision to become a hygienist every single day. i'm 25 now and now i've decided to go into nursing school, and forget about DH all together. and i have also been advising everyone that's thinking about becoming a DH not to.

i think its more your fault that your unemployed. dental hygiene is one of the fastest growing careers. if your having trouble with money move back to the city and get a job, your husband should be willing to relocate for you just like you did for him. just saying.

Happy Face, obviously you must not be a hygienist. What world are you living in? Dental Hygiene is now over saturated because people like you constantly see it pop up on all the "10 Best" lists for job. I live in a major city and it is very difficult to findba job with decent hours because a big city equals more competition. Stop trying to rouse people and do your homework,

Cp, Unfortunately, there are those who go only by techie news and a couple of friends or RDH's they have met, who have a good job at this point in time. They will continue to come here, maybe to recruit for schools...they are out of the loop. If you, anyone, are looking for a CAREER, choose another field unless you have an in, I continue to repeat this because the schools, govt/bls, online articles are "lying" to you. Do they care if you have a job when you finish their program? NO. Do they care if you can survive on the little work you do find or able to payback loans? NO...the answer to finding work is: very competitive (not healthy either = cut throat). Look into another field where you can have a reitrement pkg....yes, they do exist, just not in our field for the majority. Pay, hours, etc...is not negotiated by you. You take what they are willing to give you and if you don't work out...you can EASILY be replaced. Reality, informative, is what we IN the field are telling you now to save you time, money, stress, 2-4yrs. spent in another field that has longevity and benefits. If you are intelligent and informed in all respects, the better you will be able to choose a career, not a PT job which is what has happened to the field of the RDH. Vet

Even near a large city I can't find work! I look from Boston to Worcester and can't find much work. It has been 3+ years and I am barely working!

Unfortunately, dental hygiene is saturated! There was a shortage of them a while ago, and so they decided that instead of having the program be a 4 year program, they could squeeze it into 2 years through community college programs. So, who wouldn't sign up for a 2 year (so they say, but it actually comes out to about 3 years) program where you can make like $70 grand a year!? I have wanted to be a dental hygienist since I was in the 10th grade, and I have stuck by my decision, and am sticking by my decision. I live in Iowa, and it is very, very, very hard to find a job in the hygiene market here. (Just as it is hard to find a job doing anything here.) I have been an assistant since I was freshly graduated from high-school, and will be expanded function soon! I love dentistry, and I love working with people. Dentists do kind of have a bad reputation for being a little bit crazy. But, if there personalities weren't like that, they wouldn't be good at what they do, in my opinion.

Do not do dental hygiene for the money. Do dental hygiene because you really want to do it. Once I finish my program, I'll have a fantastic resume, and I'll actually more than likely be moving. I think it depends on where you live in order to be successful with hygiene. If you live in a rural area... Forget it! Unless you really want to travel! I worked in a rural dental office, and let me tell you, people DO NOT CARE about routine, preventative care of their teeth. They go when they have an emergency, and that's it. If you are willing to move for work, then hygiene is suitable. If you are not willing to move, and find it is over saturated in your area, pick something else! Do not do hygiene for the money, or else it will not pay off for you. Do something you want to do. Remember that there ARE opportunities out there, but also keep in mind our economy isn't that great right now, either. Also, try assisting first before hygiene! And remember it's not what you know, but who you know. ;)