Where are all the dental hygiene jobs?

saipeople in kingwood, Texas said: Search health care related jobs here - www.saipeople.com

I tried this site @ your recommendation. Typed in Ohio, Dental Hygiene.....Guess What? No jobs for this search criteria.
Any other sugestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

We definitely need something. How would we go about forming such a body?

I'm not sure, but a new law enacted by Congress this week amkes it easier to organize to protect jobs, get better pay and benefits. There are unions out there in the medical field that might be of some help.

When we have to turn a blind eye to save our jobs, we become as unethical as the perpetrators of thoses that violate the rules and regulations that govern our and dentistry's profession. I signed on for three days a week at my office. I'm working two at the most. The other day is assigned to seeing kids up to 18 years of age. I have caught several of these "children" being given "Child Prophys" when calculus is plainly evident. When I'm not there I can't stop it, when I am I do. We need to enforce the rules without fear of losing our jobs.

Does anyone know of a hygiene position in the Upstate of SC? I have been in dental hygiene since 1994 with 10 years of perio experience and anesthesia license. Have been out of work since Sept 08 with no leads at this time.

Future in Toronto, Ontario said: Wages are going down for Dental Hygienist EVERYWHERE. Can't we strike or something? There must be something we can do? Stop accrediting private schools already. Every year the CDAC gives accreditation approval to private schools. Every year the amount of new graduates coming out, increase exponentially. Where does it stop? There needs to be more control over the number of new graduates coming out to the market. They're flooding the market everywhere and we're not doing anything.

We need to stand together to protect our future.

What a "nice" attitude. And clearly lack on knowledge about what is really going on around you. It is not the number of graduates. It is the economy. Watch the news, read some papers and you won't have to make such comments.

What are you talking about? A "nice" attitude has nothing to do with the comments people are making. We are stating "facts" and the truth is sometimes unpleasant. Who can have a "nice" attitude when you can't find a job and if you do the wages are being cut in half? The number of graduates has surpassed the number of jobs. The recession has only gotten bad in the past year, but jobs in Indiana have been on the decline for at least 4 years. I have a very good friend who has been making $2.25 per hour as a server with a hygiene license because she can't find a job! For 2 years!! She doesn't have a "nice" attitude either. :)

WOW $2.25 an hour!!!!!! Is that legal in the U.S??? Federal minimum wage went up to $6.55 an hour on July 24th 2008. And on July 2009 it will go up again to $7.25. Is she being paid under the talbe or something? In order to be making $2.25 an hour she would have to be making enough tips to add up to at least the federal minimum wage for it to be legal. If she isn't than I would say she needs to get another job.

This info can be found at www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/q-a.htm

Yes, it's legal in Terre Haute, IN. Restaurants do not have to pay minimum wage. She would like to get another job, there just isn't any here.

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: What are you talking about? A "nice" attitude has nothing to do with the comments people are making. We are stating "facts" and the truth is sometimes unpleasant. Who can have a "nice" attitude when you can't find a job and if you do the wages are being cut in half? The number of graduates has surpassed the number of jobs. The recession has only gotten bad in the past year, but jobs in Indiana have been on the decline for at least 4 years. I have a very good friend who has been making $2.25 per hour as a server with a hygiene license because she can't find a job! For 2 years!! She doesn't have a "nice" attitude either. :)

With your logic hygienists might as well strike against toothbrushes and mouthwashes. The economy has been sliding down for several years now. What we've been seeing lately is almost the bottom. What do you think is going to happen when companies start moving their businesses overseas? And it started not a year ago, not even two. It started many years ago.

I think the problem here is not in excess of graduates, but in costs of dental care, in outrageous cost of education which forses dentists to make their services so, costly, and thus people not able to affort the treatments, also in part due to greed of dentists who want to live like CEOs of big companies, in lack of insurance covverage, also due to insurance being so expensive for dentists and employers as well, due to insurance inability to cover the costs of treatment. So, it is the whole system that is rotten.

Well we both agree that things are bad all over. I don't see where my "logic" has anything to do with striking against toothbrushes and mouthwash. Guess that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. Yes, I am aware the economy has been sliding for quite sometime. I merely stated hygiene has been going downhill for awhile now and I still stick by my opinion that the market is oversaturated. Many new graduates and no place to work. Best of luck to you.

Yes, the market in Ohio is saturated. We have anywhere from graduates and those of us whom have been practicing for years that do not have full-time (if longing for) or part-time employment. I contribute this to
1.Excellerated hygiene, one hygienist (with some sort of an assistant) taking the place of two hygienists
2.Delegated functions
3.The economy
4.Illegal practicing, allowed by the dentists, of their employees

Tater in Pompano Beach, Florida said: What a "nice" attitude. And clearly lack on knowledge about what is really going on around you. It is not the number of graduates. It is the economy. Watch the news, read some papers and you won't have to make such comments.

You are wrong my dear! It is the influx of hygiene students who are being told that the field is in demand! They are being told to ask for $30 per hr. right out of school! They are being laughed at by the Dentists. I have been looking for a part-time job for almost 2 years now before the state of our economy, jobs have dwindled and dwindled and will continue to do so. There are way too many Hygiene Schools turning out too many students.They are being lied to by their instructors all for the monetary gain for the school

christineinSt.petersburg,fl in Largo, Florida said: You are wrong my dear! It is the influx of hygiene students who are being told that the field is in demand! They are being told to ask for $30 per hr. right out of school! They are being laughed at by the Dentists. I have been looking for a part-time job for almost 2 years now before the state of our economy, jobs have dwindled and dwindled and will continue to do so. There are way too many Hygiene Schools turning out too many students.They are being lied to by their instructors all for the monetary gain for the school

Our local colleges offering dental hygiene are pulling the wool over perspective students' eyes. Over Christmas break I had a high school senior ask if she could shadow in our office because she was interested in a career in dental hygiene or nursing. When she visited our office she was bragging about how much money she would make upon graduation with her hygiene degree. She stated she was told @ the college she would start out @ $35.00 per hour. I guess her bubble was burst when I informed her that after 33 years in dentistry I made no where near that monentary amount per hour as a wage. I also informed this student that unless you have a full time job in one office, there would likely be no benefits such as vacation retirement, holiday pay, ect.... I am sorry to say that I have swayed her toward a nursing career

It is good to be honest.

i feel you alls pain. i am also struggling in this industry. since last year i only work one day a month if that even. in my area there are 3 schools probably about 100 graduated students every year and i have heard that they have not been able to find jobs. i know i can not find jobs anywhere. i wish i would done some more research on this field before made such a commitment. i feel i am stucked. sorry if i said too much.

i feel you alls pain. i am also struggling in this industry. since last year i only work one day a month if that even. in my area there are 3 schools probably about 100 graduated students every year and i have heard that they have not been able to find jobs. i know i can not find jobs anywhere. i wish i would done some more research on this field before i made such a commitment. i feel i am stuck. sorry if i said too much. does anybody knows how many courses hrs we have to take to be an RN? tks

russ in Ogden, Utah said: When we have to turn a blind eye to save our jobs, we become as unethical as the perpetrators of thoses that violate the rules and regulations that govern our and dentistry's profession. I signed on for three days a week at my office. I'm working two at the most. The other day is assigned to seeing kids up to 18 years of age. I have caught several of these "children" being given "Child Prophys" when calculus is plainly evident. When I'm not there I can't stop it, when I am I do. We need to enforce the rules without fear of losing our jobs.

Russ, I am also a male Hyg. I am moving from upstate NY, to Salt lake. How do Dentist treat male hyg. out there? I have worked FT in Ortho, and PT in Hygiene? I know it's not right but the Dentists have been paying the guys more out here. I don't know how they get away with it? I actually quit the ortho because I was making $5 more an hr than the hyg. that have been there w/20 yrs. exp. it made for tough days, I even confronted him on the matter. I have also been searching online and found that most posted jobs in SLC wanted a 4 yr degree? Is that a norm? Should I be prepared to not work as an RDH and go back into telecom? I am also behind you with the Union, lets get one started. These Dr.s offer many false promises, and they keep making all the bank. Treat your workers w/respect we make you $$. PS. anyone wanting to move to Upstate NY, syracuse has job openings weekly, due to no schools in that area.

Just want to say I'd be proud to work with you. I left a position when I found out I was making $5 an hour less than 4 other hygienists including a new grad and I had been with the practice 3 years. Also was the one the rest of the staff came to if needing help with a difficult pt, stayed late if other's had little ones at home ect. That totally rocked me. I thought I was really respected as I was often the top producer of the office. I am trying to relocate out of Indiana. Do you happen to know if NY excepts reciprosity? Good Luck to you!

To jchaney,
you can't say too much. We are all right there with you. I don't know about RN but I'm going to find out this week. I'll post when I have some infor for you. Say your prayers:).

I, too, thought about a nursing program these past few years. The demand for the RN is very high in our area.

I do not know if this will assist anyone in finding a better career, but the following was an option I have chosen to persue. We have in our educational backround a diversity of anaomy, microbiology, pharmacology, ect.... So last year I took insurance classes(only approx 20 hours - a couple of weekends) for my Ohio Health Insurance License (other license categories are also available). Took the required state boards, passed, and have my license in hand. I presently am watching and waiting for the right opportunity to persue this career, possible a liason between insurance companies, employers, and employees. I am not looking for a job selling insurance door to door. Something may come up, or not. But at least I feel like I am continuing in the Health care field.

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: Just want to say I'd be proud to work with you. I left a position when I found out I was making $5 an hour less than 4 other hygienists including a new grad and I had been with the practice 3 years. Also was the one the rest of the staff came to if needing help with a difficult pt, stayed late if other's had little ones at home ect. That totally rocked me. I thought I was really respected as I was often the top producer of the office. I am trying to relocate out of Indiana. Do you happen to know if NY excepts reciprosity? Good Luck to you!

I am not sure if this will help, check this site. www.aadexam.org/. You know The prob. @ any office always start at the top. One of the RDH that had been there for 5 yrs and was making less than I left along w/2 assistants, she actually had been going to Nursing school because of the whole issue. She is now resenting that she spent all the time and money doing it though. She wants to get back into DH. She says nursing is way more involved and way more demanding phys. and mentally. My thing is everyone's different and the grass is always greener, so choose wisely.

If you convinced her to change her career plans, then you saved her live.....it has been hell finding a job for me since i graduated may 08. Now i have been running out of funds to keep paying on my student loans....what an awful situation to be in.

I have finished all of my prereqs but recently decided to change career paths. I did speak with my DH and she said that although I don't see many job postings for DH, they are out there. She said it is mostly word of mouth. I live in California though and there seems to be a dental office on at least every other block. I am applying for a PTA program instead and feel that this will make me much happier. Plus almost everything I read on this forum about DH is negative:) I already have neck issues and am constantly having to put patches on my neck or take light pain killers. I can only imagine how I would feel if I went forward with DH. My DH loves her job and only has good things to say about it. Something I have learned throughout this "choosing a career" process is that you really shouldn't choose a career based solely on how much you will make. It has to excite you and interest you. When I went and shadowed my DH I was bored out of my mind. Plus my neck was hurting just sitting on a stool with no back
:O(

I have two friends who are both applying to ten different hygiene schools and are very excited. They have wanted to do this for a long while. So to each his own. If you want to do it then go for it. Nothing is stable right now. Once the economy picks up things will get better.

RDH in Goose Creek, South Carolina said: I graduated from the hygiene program in May. After waiting for test results, licensing, etc. I was finally ready to start working in August. I agree with all the comments, jobs are scarce and the Docs that are hiring seem to be the ones that no one wants to work for. I stayed positive and very persistant. I was offered a job recently at an office that I love, clean, friendly, pays well. I got another full-time offer and several part-time offers after I accepted this job.
My point is, if you enjoy hygiene and that is what you desire to do... Don't give up on it. You never know how the economy will be when you graduate. Even the RNs are having their hours cut back here in SC. Just keep the faith. That's what I did regardless to what the market looked like. In the end I had more offers than I could handle.

Good Luck in you studies!

Hello. I too live is Goose Creek, SC. I have been looking for a hygiene position since summer of 2007. I have not been getting any responses back from anyone. I mean not a single call, email or anything from anyone. Part-time, full-time, temp anything would be better than nothing. The only people that seem to be hiring are as you said those that no one wants to work for. I graduated in 2002. I worked full-time in an office in North Charleston until June 2007. I dreaded going there everyday. When I pulled into the parking my stomach would start churning. I had enough of that and thought I could find something else. Here I am Feb. 2009 and still nothing. I'd love to be able to chat with you.

The DH schools here in Utah graduate 150 RHD's a year. Only 30 of these are bachelor degrees, the rest are 2 year associates. The market cannot support the number of Dh coming into it either here or in any other state. Average wage presently (and unofficially) is $28 p/h and the average work week is 2-3 days. Also, no benefits and I travel 94 miles roundtrip each day I work. In this economy, unless you really need to come to Utah, I would keep the job in NY.

As for organizing; it has to come from the grassroots. With each resume I send out I include reasons why my presence in the dentist's office would enhance their bottom line. I am tracking my production on a daily basis and keep in close contact with my patients for referals and recalls.

We are currently advertising for a dental hygientist to start as soon as possible. We have a beautiful new clinic with great patients. There's not even any fill ins available and our wages are $45.00 plus with benefits. Help

Hello Dr. Toews,
I have sent for the licensing info for BC and never rec'd anything and it's been a couple of months. I'd love to be able to relocate and work 3 or 4 days at that salary. I am wondering if you would be interested? I know some areas will let you practice while obtaining licensure. I have 15 years exp. on both adults and children. I should let you know that I am only looking for a permanent long-term position. Thank-you.

Big change in Vancouver as well! I have been a hygienist for the past 6years and when I first started I had lots of choice. But know the market is flooded and there are no jobs for be had. I just can not believe that these private colleges are full since it costs ar least $20,000 on tuition alone and no job when your finished?? But there is a demand for CDA!

I am an American Hygienist that has been living and working in Spain for the past 25 years. In the past 8 months the crisis has hit very badly here and work is very difficult to come by. I have alot of experience, speak 3 languages fluently and love my work. I would hate at this time in life to have to change. I can relocate anywhere in Europe. Does anyone know of anything available? Good luck to everyone else who is also sad and disconcerted by these hard times we are all living

Tater in Pompano Beach, Florida said: What a "nice" attitude. And clearly lack on knowledge about what is really going on around you. It is not the number of graduates. It is the economy. Watch the news, read some papers and you won't have to make such comments.

I dont think thats unreasonable to say that it is the economy yet its also the market is flooded in texas. Take in account the amount of schools opening up...Its here in Texas

I thought hygiene was for me. I graduated from upstate NY and moved to Richmond. The pay in NY was like $20 an hr (if your lucky). Richmond starts at like $38. Now I have 10yrs experience. Richmond seems to hire word of mouth and no experience. I have been in a financial crisis since I moved here. I have been abused by some dentists. The state doesn't back you cus dental offices are small businesses. I'm currently not working and have been looking for over 4mos. I'm getting tired of the way that I'm treated and wish I went to school to be a RN. They can further their careers and make more money. They have unions to back them and can get overtime. I warn everyone who wants to be a RDH rethink it hard. Also some dental offices go for a certain look and beware of offices were everyone looks the same. If you don't look like them you won't be getting the job.

You are so right! I got a job in an office where everybody was blonde, except the dr's wife who was a brunette, office manager, co-owner, and definitely ran the show. I had lots of blonde highlights and when I stopped coloring my hair and let it be natural brown she quit speaking to me. I didn't have a clue until the other girls started making comments I'd better get back to the beautician. Everybody got a raise but me. I asked her if she had a problem with my hair and she admitted it! Said the office tried to project a certain style and I no longer "really" fit in. After that she cut me from 4 days to 1 and began telling me to clean the bathroom, pulled me away from a patient to go to the basement and clean the break area, and questioned me because I was 1mm different
on a pocket depth at a 1 month eval than her favorite hygienist. All because I changed my haircolor. She got what she wanted, I quit. And I have never been sorry, but it gave me an insight of what to look for at an interview. I have been unemployed for 2 months and had a working interview last month and the other hyg. asked me at lunch if the dr had looked at my boobs yet. I said no and she said he will and then he'll work his way up to jokes about female anatomy and 2 asst's started laughing and said that's just the way he is. I said thanks for the warning and at the end of the day sure enough I got the staring at my chest instead of looking me in the eyes so I bent my head over to meet his gaze and said I'm up here and he wasn't even embarrased. I didn't take the job needless to say. I am looking into medical asst and I know the pay will be a lot less but I've about had it with hygiene. We have no where to go with this type of harrassment.

The BLS lists 100,520 DDS employed and 168,600 Hygienists employed in the country. There are too many of ou to work for the dentists available. We are reduced to part-time work (I call the being under employed). Part time workers get no benefits (How many of us are head of household, or just want to work full time?). The ADHA needs to be working on higher educational standards as entry into the profession, fighting the ADA on its proposed "scaling assistant" and lobbing congress for independent practice and portabiity of licensing. Maybe what we really need is a stronger guild representing us (notice I didn't use the dirty word "union"). With Obama in for the next four years, this may be our best chance to be treated as true professionals. Hummm...who's his hygienist at Walter Reed gonna' be...?

bre in Charleston, South Carolina said: Hello. I too live is Goose Creek, SC. I have been looking for a hygiene position since summer of 2007. I have not been getting any responses back from anyone. I mean not a single call, email or anything from anyone. Part-time, full-time, temp anything would be better than nothing. The only people that seem to be hiring are as you said those that no one wants to work for. I graduated in 2002. I worked full-time in an office in North Charleston until June 2007. I dreaded going there everyday. When I pulled into the parking my stomach would start churning. I had enough of that and thought I could find something else. Here I am Feb. 2009 and still nothing. I'd love to be able to chat with you.

I live in Mount Pleasant but I just moved here beginning of January. I too have sent resume and resume to blind hygiene job openings but no one ever call me back. I graduated from GTC in 2006 and was working in the same office until this past December. We moved here because my husband got a job here but I'm not liking it too much so far just because NO ONE calls me back.

Dr Jill Toews in Courtenay, British Columbia said: We are currently advertising for a dental hygientist to start as soon as possible. We have a beautiful new clinic with great patients. There's not even any fill ins available and our wages are $45.00 plus with benefits. Help

I dont graduate til this May..and wont likely have my certificate until July but I would be interested.

I would siscourage anyone from rntering the profession of dental hygiene. I have seen the jobs dry up here in Utah withthe 150 new hygienists that are graduated fro the schools here every year. Until we have diagnostic and independent practice rights we will forever be under the thumb and at the whim of management, i. e. the dentist!

Dr Zoe Nath in Peace River, Alberta said: Please move your families to Alberta, Canada!!!
We offer our Hygienists the highest salaries in Canada
even new grads are pulling in $50-65/hour, it's crazy, but our dental fee guide supports this market for Hygiene.
Any man can get a job in Alberta right now with/without qualifications- we need anybody from labourers, oilfield related work/labour/heavy machinery operators etc etc the list is endless and the wages are excellent in that industry too!
Welcome to Alberta, Canada!
Dr Zoe Nath

Im from Peace River! Are you still hiring? And what office do you work at? Wing dental or another one?

No hygiene positions are available in eastern, nc either. Salaries are dropping fast!

I see many distressed postings. Many of you have years of DH experience, have you considered teaching positions in dental hygiene programs. I do know Pacific University in Oregon has been looking for faculty, a DH program in Phoenix,AZ is also advertising for a faculty position. I am on faculty in a BS program, we've had two faculty openings for a couple of years. They will be filled by the end of this academic year. My suggestion is look for dental hygiene teaching jobs, dental hygiene public health jobs, etc. many of these jobs may require you to relocate. Check out USA.jobs.gov Consider looking outside the box of private practice!

I have noticed that there are alot of jobs posted on iHiredental.com....anyone tried that? There seems to be alot of postings from TX/CO/NC. I'm curious if these types of sites are truely helpful, any info is appreciated:)

I subscribed to IHireDental and get notifications of jobs, but it always says it is a premium ad and I have to pay a minimum of $14.99 per month to get the hiring information. It will give just the first line or so, saying something like "hygienist needed" never the employer or location. Careerbuilder.com is good. At least for IN. It gives all the details: fax#, e-mail, sometimes address and phone. I keep a resume stored on Careerbuilder and often you can apply online. Hope this helps someone.

Dr Zoe Nath in Peace River, Alberta said: Please move your families to Alberta, Canada!!!
We offer our Hygienists the highest salaries in Canada
even new grads are pulling in $50-65/hour, it's crazy, but our dental fee guide supports this market for Hygiene.
Any man can get a job in Alberta right now with/without qualifications- we need anybody from labourers, oilfield related work/labour/heavy machinery operators etc etc the list is endless and the wages are excellent in that industry too!
Welcome to Alberta, Canada!
Dr Zoe Nath

Dr Zoe Nath,
Thank you for your information! How about acccounting job opportunity there? I have been laid off 2 years, and need a permanentone. Any input will be great!
Ira Amos

I have tried just about every site out there including ihiredental.com. I thinj that if you're not living near the office where the job is offered, you're not going to get an interview. I have gone so far as researching for a direct contact rather than going through these sites only. That takes time and thought.

I have applied for positions at the VA through USA Job and have recieved only confirmation that the correct paperwork has been received. No one in Palo Alto, Ca returns my calls about when the position will be filled. This position could take a year to fill according to the anouncement. You have to have a lot of patience with goverment applications.

Russ, you are so right! I just got a letter of rejection 2 weeks ago from the VA in TN from May of 2008. They hired a local hygienist and when I called and asked why I was referred for consideration but never even interviewed, they didn't know. The same thing happened in Little Rock, AR last month. Referred but not selected and no interview, no call, no nothing. One hr rep said if I was referred I would have had an interview before a candidate was selected but it didn't happen that way. I have talked to 3 people in hr and they all said something different. It is flawed for sure. I know several hygienists who are applying and it's a dead end. Good luck.

I have been a Dental Hygienist since 1986. I am currently looking to sub on Fridays near Columbus Ohio, I actually live in Zanesville, I would be willing to drive 30 - 50 miles. If anybody knows of anything, let me know!!

It is different in Canada. The economy does play a part in the current downturn, but this thread dates back to almost before it hit canada at all. From the 90s until early last year, there was a serious shortage of hygienists in Canada - they were not training enough of them. So the dentists set up a number of private hygiene schools. Hygiene jobs in Canada are more hit by the sudden quadrupling of graduates over a 2 years period! Even in boom times that means one thing: a sudden glut of hygienists and a sudden lack of jobs. Now the economy is is the crapper on top of that, which has slowed the demand for hygienists an additional small amount. There will be a huge shock to the system this summer when another crop graduate - I bet only 1/2 from the local school will get a job, after 18 straight years of nearly 100% getting jobs. BTW, we can discount these docs posting from Courtenay and Peace River as being representative of the marketplace - those places are so far into the wilderness (Peace is practically in the arctic circle) that they will always be desperate for hygienists; however if you can swing living in the boonies, those jobs will be very financially rewarding and secure. If I were a new grad, I might do it.

Tater in Pompano Beach, Florida said: What a "nice" attitude. And clearly lack on knowledge about what is really going on around you. It is not the number of graduates. It is the economy. Watch the news, read some papers and you won't have to make such comments.

Hello, It is both, due to many new graduates in the field, pay for RDH's presently practicing, there are Dr.'s letting R.D.H.'s go to hire a new graduate willing to take less pay. Not all Dr.'s are like this but it is happening. I hope that the ADHA checks out this website to see what R.D.H.'s are going through in 2009...

hi