Truth about employment for the R.D.H. right now...

Hi, Many of us have many different experiences: positive,
negative, indifferent??? It's not as easy to find a position with the number of us working at the present time; many different reasons for choosing this (in the past and those who want to pursue it now)....as a career...
My feeling is, that their are too many right now and not enough work to go around. I would like to offer encouragement to those who would like to pursue this field, but wait on it if possible for 5 or so years because you may find that the cost ($30,000+) and the availability may not be there when you complete your training and exams...what's your take from what you've read on this site and/or employment for the "new" grads...F.T. or P.T. or whatever you can get each week... P.S. To those who think those of us only able to obtain 1-2 days...it's because of the "number of old,new, recent....grads in our field and the availability to all...now in 2009".

I can/will only speak from my own experience.

I graduated in May 2008 in a class of about 28 or so, and almost all of them are currently working. Last I heard, two of them weren't working (one of them by choice though).

I work 40 hours a week with a decent amount of PTO and other benefits. I would say about 1/3 to 1/2 of my class works full time (32-40 hours). Many of my classmates work part time by choice--these are people who got into hygiene specifically because it would allow them to have an outstanding part-time job (many of them are, as you might suspect, mothers).

But let me respond to this comment:

"what's your take from what you've read on this site"

Maybe that's the problem here. Maybe we should just stick to personal experience.

"Personal experience" does not mean, "the impression you get from reading the Indeed.com hygiene board." That is your personal internet-browsing experience.

Why don't we stick to personal experience as a dental hygienist?

Just speak to your own career. Don't worry about anyone else.

PS) I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my recent behavior on this forum. It was cruel and unacceptable. I offer my sincere apology. From now on I hope to express my feelings in a more respectful way.

sierra in North Tonawanda, New York said: I can/will only speak from my own experience.

I graduated in May 2008 in a class of about 28 or so, and almost all of them are currently working. Last I heard, two of them weren't working (one of them by choice though).

I work 40 hours a week with a decent amount of PTO and other benefits. I would say about 1/3 to 1/2 of my class works full time (32-40 hours). Many of my classmates work part time by choice--these are people who got into hygiene specifically because it would allow them to have an outstanding part-time job (many of them are, as you might suspect, mothers).

But let me respond to this comment:

"what's your take from what you've read on this site"

Maybe that's the problem here. Maybe we should just stick to personal experience.

"Personal experience" does not mean, "the impression you get from reading the Indeed.com hygiene board." That is your personal internet-browsing experience.

Why don't we stick to personal experience as a dental hygienist?

Just speak to your own career. Don't worry about anyone else.

PS) I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my recent behavior on this forum. It was cruel and unacceptable. I offer my sincere apology. From now on I hope to express my feelings in a more respectful way.

Thank you for being thoughtful and polite in your response.

exp in Massachusetts said: Hi, Many of us have many different experiences: positive,
negative, indifferent??? It's not as easy to find a position with the number of us working at the present time; many different reasons for choosing this (in the past and those who want to pursue it now)....as a career...
My feeling is, that their are too many right now and not enough work to go around. I would like to offer encouragement to those who would like to pursue this field, but wait on it if possible for 5 or so years because you may find that the cost ($30,000+) and the availability may not be there when you complete your training and exams...what's your take from what you've read on this site and/or employment for the "new" grads...F.T. or P.T. or whatever you can get each week... P.S. To those who think those of us only able to obtain 1-2 days...it's because of the "number of old,new, recent....grads in our field and the availability to all...now in 2009".

I agree with what you are saying....in Canada, we have just too many grads coming out of all these schools. The market is being flooded and we see the effects of just too many grads. Salaries are lowering, opportunities are decreasing, bargaining power is diminishing. In the US, did you have a number of private schools settting up Dental Hygiene programs too....? When did this happen with you and how long was the effect felt within the professsion....? Thanks for your response.

30 year vet in Edmonton, Alberta said: I agree with what you are saying....in Canada, we have just too many grads coming out of all these schools. The market is being flooded and we see the effects of just too many grads. Salaries are lowering, opportunities are decreasing, bargaining power is diminishing. In the US, did you have a number of private schools settting up Dental Hygiene programs too....? When did this happen with you and how long was the effect felt within the professsion....? Thanks for your response.

I'm not sure of the number of new schools that are present in the N.E., but there are at least 5-6 in MA and 1 in NH, but, the NH one has an increased number of students, and also the MA and NH R.D.H.'s go over the boarders alot; I know I have to , to obtain work! I have felt the effects of "Too many R.D.H.'s" for the past1-2 years! The ADHA has responded to my correspondence, but I think it's the ADA we need to speak with regarding our concerns, BUT they are for the Dentists interests, not ours and I feel it won't get anywhere unless we as a profession have Legal personnel on our side who would know the ins and outs of what is needed to address our current overcrowding of the Dental Hygiene field. Any advice or names of ADA/ADHA mem's to help us????or for us to write to, to express our concerns????

Va is a Commonwealth state and there laws suck. You can own your business and treat your employees like crap. I think the problem here isn't the amount of grads but the unlawful use of DAs doing hyg work so they don't need us. Va is a large state with not alot of hyg schools. If the Dental Board would crack down on this there would be more jobs here. Some of the pts here aren't getting proper perio evaluation because the DAs are doing the cleanings. If Va continues this who needs to go to hyg school?

I tried to report a dds to the dental board in IN and he knew about it before I got home from the office!
One thing I've noticed no matter where I work as far as perio, if the pt. declines tx I never see the dr refer them. I always give the pt literature, tell them to call if they have ?'s and give them names of periodontists. Dds here have the attitude if the pt doesn't do the tx in their office, they just move on and consider it lost revenue. There is a serious lack of ethics in Indiana. Just a comment after reading your post of pt's not getting proper perio eval.

Maybe, we need to contact the news or offices for Obama or Oprah? What's anyones take on this and/or has anyone contacted Govt., etc....?

exp in Massachusetts said: Maybe, we need to contact the news or offices for Obama or Oprah? What's anyones take on this and/or has anyone contacted Govt., etc....?

EXP, I like your drive!! Let's contact OPRAH---she values her smile!! Honestly, things are happening in Canada and in the USA with regards to excess DH Schools, oversaturation of not necessarily 'fully equipped' dental hygienists. We need to get all our associations involved in this though----address the standards of the schools....the conflicts that exist.....the easy entry with no preprofessional year, etc etc etc..... We do need to contact ombudsmen or someone like that....

I understand that Oprah doesn't have a regular dentist but uses the local dental school! I don't think she would be a strong advocate for hygienists.

Plakattaka in Aurora, Ontario said: I understand that Oprah doesn't have a regular dentist but uses the local dental school! I don't think she would be a strong advocate for hygienists.

How do you know this P? O. is in Chicago and you're in Ontario... do you have a friend who knows her? If so, maybe she could tell her about this site...even if O. does use a Dental School for .... she might be interested in this...? Any thoughts on this people???

I think we should expose these offices by contacting our local news. I am going to send a line to ours so they can go undercover about what's going on. I wouldn't let a surgeon operate on me without a license so what gives a DA the right to take a job from me and do it without a license.

Pull out all the stops! Just try to get some exposure on this issue with anyone who has the power to expose what's been happening....

Pressure on our associations to address the Dental Associations on this issue is critical too!

exp in Massachusetts said: How do you know this P? O. is in Chicago and you're in Ontario... do you have a friend who knows her? If so, maybe she could tell her about this site...even if O. does use a Dental School for .... she might be interested in this...? Any thoughts on this people???

I read this on the amysrdhlisters group a while ago. Primarily US RDH's contribute to this list and they wanted Oprah to highight some issues - wrote letters to her etc. to no avail.

What Oprah going to do. Most of these DDS are male and white. Mainly homemakers watch her show because they don't have jobs. I know she has a big impact on what book to read but I doubt she can help us. She could make people aware about who cleans their teeth by asking are they a hyg. This whole MJ thing is a big example what we are going through. A cardiologist adminstering anesthia (spelling?) is against the law. A DA doing a hyg job is against the law! I can't argue with you guys about the schools because Va doesn't have alot of hyg schools. Just some DDS that are idiots!

^^^Oprah might not be the right avenue, but a 20/20 Dateline special would do the trick. Do some investigative reporting on not only the DA's doing hygiene work, but the DDS that are scammers and frauding the insurance companies by ordering perio therapy on those who dont need it etc.. Or why is that people can visist the dentist regularly only to go to another office an be told by a ethical RDH they have adavnced perio disease..but I disgress...
As to the topic at hand. It has been my experience as a RDH (I graduated in 2005 in MI) I was fired after annoucing to my employor my pregnancy and expressed concerns about nitrous usage in office. Only to remain unemployed almost two years later and moving to OH to not be able to land any job yet.
I have seen SEREVRAL ads online for PT hygiene work offering 1or 2 days and havent got a call back yet.
Oh, did I mention not only do I have a BSDH degree but a master's degree in healthcare leadership thats is serving no purpose for me right now.
All the while interest is mountaining on these student loans that I cant seem to find a job to start paying back. So I say to any prospective hygiene student if they want to gamble with their life and HOPE that they are an exception to the rule right now as far as landing a job as a RDH then by all means go for it.
They just cant complain two yrs later after graduating and not finding a job that they havent been warned.

Hi Breezy, Have you thought about possibly (for the time being), being the Administrator/Mgr. of a Dental Practice, or teaching at an ACCREDITED school? It sounds like you have a background that may give you "preference" over many at this point in time. Also, maybe looking into a hospital setting? Sorry to hear about all the above....it isn't our fault? Can you report that office to OSHA anyonyomously (sp?)? I hope things turn around...for ALL of us.

Hi exp

I never really thought about being a Office mgr...I would like to keep my skills up as a RDH. I have applied to SEVERAL schools around here for faculty positions but havent hear anything at this point. I have even applied for faculty to teach DA being that I have 8yrs experience as a DA as well.
A hospital setting would be a great opportunity being that my Leadership degree was focused around administrative positions in hospitals. My goal is to be a dental hygiene director, but I need some teaching skills under my belt first, just no opportunities has arose.
Thanks for the concern. Its tough for MANY being a RDH right now. I hope things turn around as well.

Breezy this whole economy sucks. It's not fair at all. What burns me up the most is I could of went to school full-time if I knew I would be out of work this long. There are some accelerated programs you can take if you wanted to switch careers. Just something to think about. I know there are some medical jobs that you can chose that help you pay off your loans if you work for them for 2yrs. Just a thought and Good Luck!

BreezyRDH in Westlake, Ohio said: Hi exp

I never really thought about being a Office mgr...I would like to keep my skills up as a RDH. I have applied to SEVERAL schools around here for faculty positions but havent hear anything at this point. I have even applied for faculty to teach DA being that I have 8yrs experience as a DA as well.
A hospital setting would be a great opportunity being that my Leadership degree was focused around administrative positions in hospitals. My goal is to be a dental hygiene director, but I need some teaching skills under my belt first, just no opportunities has arose.
Thanks for the concern. Its tough for MANY being a RDH right now. I hope things turn around as well.

Hello again Breezy, I think that alot of R.D.H.'s in hospital settings are popping up....maybe check the hospitals in your area...sounds like you may have a plan....keep up those "telemarketing" skills...I try daily (smile* it makes those endorphins fire**).

hyg sucks in Glen Allen, Virginia said: Breezy this whole economy sucks. It's not fair at all. What burns me up the most is I could of went to school full-time if I knew I would be out of work this long. There are some accelerated programs you can take if you wanted to switch careers. Just something to think about. I know there are some medical jobs that you can chose that help you pay off your loans if you work for them for 2yrs. Just a thought and Good Luck!

Yeah thats how I feel too. I have so many student loans right now I cant imagine adding more on top of that plus. I just had a baby and doing full time school I just dont know how I would pull that off. I planned my life so that when I finally did have a baby I would be done with school, so the thought of going back is dishearten considering I did everything "right".
I didnt plan for what would happen if I couldnt get a job. But luckily I have a husband that is able to substain us. But we just getting by, and thats not what I had in mind for my future or my child. Anywho, Im rambling...

exp in Massachusetts said: Hello again Breezy, I think that alot of R.D.H.'s in hospital settings are popping up....maybe check the hospitals in your area...sounds like you may have a plan....keep up those "telemarketing" skills...I try daily (smile* it makes those endorphins fire**).

What particular department are RDH's finding work in in hospitals?

BreezyRDH in Westlake, Ohio said: What particular department are RDH's finding work in in hospitals?

Hi B, Some hospitals have "Dental dept.'s" within their facility. There seems to be alot more red tape to go through, but, it you have the tenacity and "what they're looking for..." it could be for your! Check out jobs online at local hosp.'s and drop by some if you can....to see or ask if they know of any hosp's that do , do this.... take care.....GL EXP

Hi exp and hyg sucks,
and anyone else who's frustrated.
Check out the dds on wages in Abbotsford, BC. He's telling us all about it. Now we have it in writing why we have had poor quality careers.

30 year vet in Edmonton, Alberta said: I agree with what you are saying....in Canada, we have just too many grads coming out of all these schools. The market is being flooded and we see the effects of just too many grads. Salaries are lowering, opportunities are decreasing, bargaining power is diminishing. In the US, did you have a number of private schools settting up Dental Hygiene programs too....? When did this happen with you and how long was the effect felt within the professsion....? Thanks for your response.

Hi Im a RDH in phoenix, arizona. I graduated in 2005 got laid off in 2008. I was devestated. Im working part-time now. (by choice) I also have a Certified Nursing Assistant cert-yes i know the money that they get paid is aweful but it pays the bills. I've decided the best thing for me is to go back to school for my RN. There are always jobs in the nursing field with great benefits. Through research that I've done RN's get paid as much as DH's. This is just a suggestion to go back to school-You always have to have a back up plan. Good luck to everyone. Keep the faith.

Good for you. Nursing is always going to provide jobs. I'm sorry to hear you were laid-off. So was I. At least your credits will transfer if you go back now. Good Luck.

Faith in Glendale, Arizona said: Hi Im a RDH in phoenix, arizona. I graduated in 2005 got laid off in 2008. I was devestated. Im working part-time now. (by choice) I also have a Certified Nursing Assistant cert-yes i know the money that they get paid is aweful but it pays the bills. I've decided the best thing for me is to go back to school for my RN. There are always jobs in the nursing field with great benefits. Through research that I've done RN's get paid as much as DH's. This is just a suggestion to go back to school-You always have to have a back up plan. Good luck to everyone. Keep the faith.

Honestly, I think that is a very good decision. Until this 'mess in oversaturation' is cleaned up...I don't think Dental Hygiene is the field to pursue and sadly, I don't know if things are going to actually 'get better'.....

I would encourage nursing, lab tech, ultrasound technology ( huge future), physiotherapy, speech pathologist, radiography tech, nutritionist, dietician, etc..... there are lots of great things out there to check into. Do some searching and some job shadowing...

You know, when I decided to go to hygiene school, it was said offices were clambering for hygienists...and now I'm hawking my resume' door to door at local offices!
Does anyone know of an area in the US which is NOT saturated with hygienists already? I moved to southern Oregon, and there isn't squat!! (I didn't move for my job, but his - and now I'm willing to move anywhere to have employment...they are still billing this profession as open and accepting, but there are so many of us now it's ridiculous!). If anyone has suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it. I am considering nursing school like some other folks, since there never seems to be enough RNs, while there are obviously too many RDHs out there. Thanks for the help!!!

Disappointed RDH in Medford, Oregon said: You know, when I decided to go to hygiene school, it was said offices were clambering for hygienists...and now I'm hawking my resume' door to door at local offices!
Does anyone know of an area in the US which is NOT saturated with hygienists already? I moved to southern Oregon, and there isn't squat!! (I didn't move for my job, but his - and now I'm willing to move anywhere to have employment...they are still billing this profession as open and accepting, but there are so many of us now it's ridiculous!). If anyone has suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it. I am considering nursing school like some other folks, since there never seems to be enough RNs, while there are obviously too many RDHs out there. Thanks for the help!!!

I think I would look into Sonography as well.....Respiratory Tech, Nursing....Nutrition.....It's so sad that too many DH schools opened up and graduated too many RDHs for the jobs out there.....

We should speak out. I mean YELL out!!! What the heck is the ADHA for?! They should have pushed harder for more DH programs to be in colleges with research and not Tech schools. Our profession is crap now. I'm an experienced hygienist. I used to make 40/hr. I make nothing now...NOTHING. I can't find a job. All the dentist want to pay the tech school grads 20.00/hr and their stupid asses are gladly taking it. They are destroying our profession. We must do something.

We need to get an online petition going and get it to the media's attention. There's federal grant money going to students and hygiene is still considered a profession that is growing and needing professionals. There has to be some sort of accountability in a recession with so many of us unemployed and others getting government backed money for a bogus recruiters profitting off lack of knowledge of the general public. I just don't know how to start it. As example, I rec'd one today to sign to keep ministers on tv. It stated what is happening, I hit forward, added my name and sent it to 7 people. Can't we do this same thing? Send it to our state reps, senators, 20/20?

LoriDent I understand your anger. I even have a license in GA and can't get a job anywhere. Va is about skin color. I had some very uncomfortable jobs and interviews since I've been here. I am so unhappy right now. I used to love what I do. I have a big heart and all I do is help people all the time but the DDS have become so greedy. I feel like a used car salesman. It's a shame what this field has been reduced to. The gov't needs to step in and humble these DDS like they do hospitals and make them take all isurances too.