I'm confused..is dental hygienists a good job or Not..is it worth it or not?

Susann in Newark, Ohio said: I happen to believe you, Shazammer. No reason not to.

You know, I used to sympathize and feel very badly for those of you looking for work, but the way you cut down the posters with good jobs and good salaries is sad. And calling them liars, as I have even been called here, just makes you look like bitter, unkind, and unhappy people. If I were an employer and the attitudes shown here are the same attitudes some of you show in interviews, I would have to be hard pressed to hire you.

Instead of saying the posts of everyone with good jobs/pay is untrue, how bout trying.."Wow, lucky you! You go girl! You must be a great hygienist to command that kind of money and have a great boss that sees and appreciates it! I am happy for you." You just might get more support if you did.

I agree with Christina....I, too, would never call a prospective office and ask salaries. Just my opinion, but I would try to do my research in other ways...local components, online research, local hygienists, local schools... whatever.

Hi, I agree with your last paragraph, but nowadays....YOU CAN"T command pay, whether you are the best R.D.H., have all the skills, licenses, and certificates. The Dentists are in the driver's seat, and you need to take into account the COMPETITION FOR THE FEW GOOD OFFFICES AVAILABLE. I still think that this payrate is not real.....unless it's in rural country. We as professionals don't have the bargaining power to ask all we should. Everyone has their own say...many from your point , many from mine. Wish this economy would turn around, but it doesn't look that way for awhile....GL to all seeking work.

I wouldn't call a "prospective" office either. My comments were in reference to an area you know nothing about. I am still in touch with an office I used to work in and they get calls quite often concerning rates of pay from people thinking of relocating here to be with family or people who are contemplating hygiene school. You can get online research or call the schools all day long and that research isn't worth anything. The online won't tell you how many parttime jobs a person is working to get that salary, it won't tell you how many hygienists are unemployed in that state or city, and it won't tell you how many are going to apply for 1 open position or how much he/she will undercut you in pay to get that job. The schools will tell you what they "believe" to be true. They pay recruiters to work in admissions for that school and most work on commission. They do not serve the student! They work in their own best interest and to make a profit. The best way to find out the truth is to ask a hygienist or a dds.

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: I wouldn't call a "prospective" office either. My comments were in reference to an area you know nothing about. I am still in touch with an office I used to work in and they get calls quite often concerning rates of pay from people thinking of relocating here to be with family or people who are contemplating hygiene school. [/QUOTE)

When you speak of an area I know nothing about, I'm not sure if you are refering to land mass or an area of hygiene, but, no matter. I don't believe for one second this office gets calls quite often, asking rates of pay of their hygienists. #1. No ethical or professional office would EVER give out the pay rates of their employees to complete strangers over the phone. #2. It would be a violation of basic privacy issues and unless the front desk personnel is totally ignorant, they would never do this. Actually, they shouldn't even be privvy to the hygienist wage.

You CAN actually research hourly rates of specific areas online. You don't need to know whether someone is working part time or not. It makes no difference in hourly pay. The comment was about hourly rates....not about how many are unemployed. You can also call the local component society or find local hygienists and contact them privately. You do not need to call random offices to find the information you seek. That just seems wrong to me. Heck, though, maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe you don't believe it, but that doesn't make it so. As far as the front desk not having privy to the hygienist's salary, she is the one who at the end of the day totals the production for hygiene and gives it to dr so my friend gets her 10% commission on top of the hourly pay. So she does know how much the hygienist makes a day and at the monthly meetings she is the one who tells the rest of the staff what their bonuses will be so they know also. Staff salaries are discussed regularly because this dr bases salaries on production, his overhead from supplies, utilities, building rent and maintenance all play in and if they are not in proportion to the monthly goal and then he can say they need to sell more tx if they want to stay at their current wage. He believes in openness (sp) that way no one gets bent out of joint when they discuss pay like their not supposed to do but do. They don't say to callers "our hygienist makes" they give a range of pay. Here it's $20/hr to $25/hr. Some have commission on top some don't. If it's strictly commission they say it will depend on the dr. There are many people who just assume when figuring wages that you take the hourly wage and multiply it by 40 to figure out how much a hygienist makes a week. That's one of the reasons I stated online isn't any good. Hygiene is rarely 40 hours a week. If you are a kid straight out of highschool or don't have any knowledge of dentistry, you will take that online hourly pay times 40 and when you get into a program find out you will work probably 30-32 hours a week it will be a lot less money over a year or two than they thought. Every year when the highschools have career fairs and career day (which they do here every 6 mos) the dental offices will have the phone ringing off the hook. Our teachers here encourage the students to go to offices, medical as well, and ask in person what the duties, pros and cons are, wages and benefits. So I stick by what I think.

Actually, Suzanne..totalling production for a day should not give front desk a clue as to what the hygienist hourly rate is unless she is on total commission, which as you state yourself, she is not. It only gives her information as to what the 10% commission is, right? And the monthly meetings would only give indication of total production for the month, wouldn't they? At least that's how it works in one office I am in. Staff salaries should never be discussed openly, IMO. That could open up one huge can of worms. We have 4 hygienists in one office I am in, and no way am I discussing my salary with any of them...and one is a good friend. I made that mistake when I first started there...the older hygienist asked if I had gotten my raise after 6 mos. and I said sure, I did. Whoa....dumb move. She hadn't gotten one! And believe me, she is one prima dona hygienist! lol She was hacked and marched straight to drs. office.

I understand your thinking on the hourly wage thing. Good point!! I did say I might be wrong.

P.S. And I think you meant "Maybe you don't believe it, but that doesn't make it NOT so." :)

I believe as Hygienist we need to stick together and not allow the Dentist to lower our cost i worked for a Dentist here in Durango as an assitant to help him out and he payed me 28.00 an hour but when i went back for hygiene he thought he could keep me at 28.00 an hour and when i refused he never asked me back, I was very hurt by the whole thing

christina in Durango, Colorado said: I believe as Hygienist we need to stick together and not allow the Dentist to lower our cost i worked for a Dentist here in Durango as an assitant to help him out and he payed me 28.00 an hour but when i went back for hygiene he thought he could keep me at 28.00 an hour and when i refused he never asked me back, I was very hurt by the whole thing

Christina, What ARE the D.A. and R.D.H. rates of pay there? Did he pay your D.A. pay ABOVE what D.A.'s make? Do the R.D.H.'s make
$28 and hour there?

I dont know how much D.A. make R.D.H make 39- 40

christina in Durango, Colorado said: I dont know how much D.A. make R.D.H make 39- 40

Then you were right in your choice....Dr.'s can be very cheap. But, if in the future he does call upon you, if you enjoyed working for him...negotiate....see where it leads. In this economy everyone needs to NEGOTIATE....GL

wise advice thank you

The hourly rate for DA's in Colorado is higher than most states. After graduating DA school I started at 19 per hour, and I knew experienced CDA's who made 28-29 per hour.

The type of office you are talking about utilizes a participative form of office management. From that point you can go all the way to offices that have NO staff meetings at all and everyone is in the dark about everything.
Your best bet is to take part in a local dental event and seek out hygienists at these seminars or conventions. RDH magazine has an annual salary issue that gives you a range of salaries. Hourly rates also don't tell you if you are worked to death with 30 minute appts or if you have the luxury of seeing one patient per hour. The great offices dont' have much turnover, but working in a crap office also gives you plenty of experience which you take to your next job. Hygiene is not what it used to be and there is saturation in many areas.

Who was that doc, Christina? I have worked for a handful of docs in Durango and they have all treated me very fairly, but you do get your shnooks.
For years they rotated hygienists by offering a dollar more an hour and then finding their own DH had been hired out from under them with the same carrot. Wilson's office was paying the big bucks, but I see he has sold to a young woman and Lord only knows if she cleaned house and dropped wages. The Farmington DH school swamped the region with cheap labor.

The wages for assistants in Colorado might be higher because so many of them are EDDAs and are trained to do everything. One office I worked in had EDDAs in every op and the docs hardly had to do anything. SOme of these EDDAs went on to become DHs and DDSs. These men and women are not trained on the job and can command some very high wages.

I dont want to mention a name on this forum my email is christinamlowe@yahoo.com are you still working in Durango and do you know a dentist who is hiring

shazammer5 in South Fork, Colorado said: Who was that doc, Christina? I have worked for a handful of docs in Durango and they have all treated me very fairly, but you do get your shnooks.
For years they rotated hygienists by offering a dollar more an hour and then finding their own DH had been hired out from under them with the same carrot. Wilson's office was paying the big bucks, but I see he has sold to a young woman and Lord only knows if she cleaned house and dropped wages. The Farmington DH school swamped the region with cheap labor.

What are "shnooks"?

Yes, most are EDDA's. I did my externship in a four doc office that had eight assistants and at least one student. The assistants did most of the work. The doctors would prep the teeth, the assistants would fill them, this gave the doctors time to do cleanings- no need for a hygienist. They even had an assistant who had been a dentist in Russia. After my externship I worked in a Perio office, the Hygienists there were making in the 50 per hour range, but keep in mind this was about 7 years ago.

I have always thought "shnooks" meant jerks, creeps, bad guys.
Correct me if I am wrong.

Where I live, a schnook is a person who is easily victimized. Easy to take advantage of, someone who thinks they are on top of things but is really being played.

I am a DH with 17 years experience. I love my profession but resently lost my job. Unfortunatly, the job market is dead in the state of Florida. I have never experienced such a difficult time getting a job. I am currently in the process to obtain a license in Texas, where the job market is better. Who would of ever thought a relocation would be necessary in this industry. Holding on to any hope.

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: Hi exp,
No luck on a job but am registering for school Friday. I have put it off as long as I can. Don't want to miss out on choice of classes for next semester. I've decided to take the pre-reqs for LPN and if they will let me at the same time take a 4 month phlebotomy course so I can make a living while going to school. I used to do that when I was younger (pre-hygiene) so maybe it will come back to me fairly quickly. By the way, thanks for asking. You are a sweetie!

Hey Good Luck Suzanne!

Sounds interesting to take that Phlebotomy course too! Good for you!! I think you, EXP and myself have contributed alot of 'truth' on these forums and it's been good to see what is going on in different parts of the continent.

shelly anthony in Jacksonville, Florida said: I am a DH with 17 years experience. I love my profession but resently lost my job. Unfortunatly, the job market is dead in the state of Florida. I have never experienced such a difficult time getting a job. I am currently in the process to obtain a license in Texas, where the job market is better. Who would of ever thought a relocation would be necessary in this industry. Holding on to any hope.

Good morning Shelly,
I'm sorry to hear you have lost your job. I have been unemployed 11 months and struggled for 3 years before that to stay in hygiene. I hope you find something soon that will allow you to stay in the profession. I too was willing to relocate. Went to NM for the military but after I got there the job offer wouldn't cover the cost of living. It seemed senseless to leave my family just to live paycheck to paycheck. Maybe TX will have what you are looking for. As my counselor at the unemployment office said to me on Friday, you never know when hygiene might just "come back". I wish you the best!

Hi 30 year vet,
Thank-you so much for your encouragement! I agree with you about the truthful comments we have expressed. They are based on experience and knowledge of the industry. Many think we are bitter or disgruntled and that's just not the case. I still miss practicing and my patients. But when many people are posting comments and facing similar situations of no job opportunities and lowered wages all over the US and Canada, we should face facts. Hygienists are moving hundreds of miles hoping to stay working and willing to take less pay and feel fortunate to do so. We have a crisis in the profession but so many in denial.
I am looking forward to learning new skills and meeting new people. I hope you continue to have gainful employment and when reading the posts I scan for your name because I know it will be sincere and worthwhile. Have a great day!

shelly anthony in Jacksonville, Florida said: I am a DH with 17 years experience. I love my profession but resently lost my job. Unfortunatly, the job market is dead in the state of Florida. I have never experienced such a difficult time getting a job. I am currently in the process to obtain a license in Texas, where the job market is better. Who would of ever thought a relocation would be necessary in this industry. Holding on to any hope.

Shelly

What have you heard about the job market here? I am considering going back to finish my DH degree.. I have completed one year and need to one more but from what i have been reading I am not sure it is worth it. I can not seem to find any information on the area so I am thinking most everyone has a job and are pretty happy in this area.

What part of texas will you be relocating to?

LQQKING in Fort Worth, Texas said: Shelly

What have you heard about the job market here? I am considering going back to finish my DH degree.. I have completed one year and need to one more but from what i have been reading I am not sure it is worth it. I can not seem to find any information on the area so I am thinking most everyone has a job and are pretty happy in this area.

What part of texas will you be relocating to?

All I know is the job opportunaties are much better than Florida. Im guessing since the state is bigger. LOL I go on dental websites and put in the state of texas where I find more jobs posted. I have no regrets in choosing this profession, its just unfortunate the economy is the way it is ( hopefully for now ) Google: Dental Hygiene Jogs in Texas, you should find your information there. Good Luck..

shelly anthony in Jacksonville, Florida said: All I know is the job opportunaties are much better than Florida. Im guessing since the state is bigger. LOL I go on dental websites and put in the state of texas where I find more jobs posted. I have no regrets in choosing this profession, its just unfortunate the economy is the way it is ( hopefully for now ) Google: Dental Hygiene Jogs in Texas, you should find your information there. Good Luck..

Dental Hygiene Jobs in Texas....

I got a hyg friend in Dallas and she has been out of work for like 6 mos. Try Houston. There seems to be more jobs there. Texas does pay well if you can find a job.

This does seem to be an honest forum: so is it a good idea to go to hygiene or is it a better idea to do something else? I thought about dental assisting but they just dont get paid enough. Any ideas would be greatly appreciative.

Thank you

Ashley,
If you only have one more year I would complete my degree in hygiene just to HAVE it. As a kid I often worked in waitress jobs with women who told me they had gotten 3 years of nursing school done and never finished or whatever. Get your schooling done in one field. I have a gut feeling that hygiene will be important in those underserved areas and will have the same clout as a nurse practicioner or physician's assistant. As more people need care hygienists will be the go-to person. I have been a hygienist for 45 years and it has served me remarkably well and I have NEVER been sorry I got my degree. Hang in there, you will be glad you did. They can never take it away from you, once it is hanging on your wall.

I am working full time and going to school to knock out some of the pre requirements for a degree in DH - I have been looking at financial aid, loans ... and it is looking grim, going to school and daily living expenses out-price the availability of funding - am I wrong to think that going to school is a pipe dream? I have no family and nothing in savings - just a couple of classes after work have compromised my time and money. Has anyone else found funding to be such a nightmare?

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: Hi 30 year vet,
Thank-you so much for your encouragement! I agree with you about the truthful comments we have expressed. They are based on experience and knowledge of the industry. Many think we are bitter or disgruntled and that's just not the case. I still miss practicing and my patients. But when many people are posting comments and facing similar situations of no job opportunities and lowered wages all over the US and Canada, we should face facts. Hygienists are moving hundreds of miles hoping to stay working and willing to take less pay and feel fortunate to do so. We have a crisis in the profession but so many in denial.
I am looking forward to learning new skills and meeting new people. I hope you continue to have gainful employment and when reading the posts I scan for your name because I know it will be sincere and worthwhile. Have a great day!

Hey Suzanne,

Thanks for your comments---I look for yours and EXPs as well...I think we are honest, realistic and aware of what's been happening within our profession. It's very sad to be sure....

Good luck with your schooling...pursuing new ventures is fun ehh? I'm loving Nutrition.....I think my interest in Economics and Nutrition will be excellent for work within Public Health Policy. I will continue to work 2 days a week in DH as my bosses would KILL ME IF I RETIRED....and I would miss my patients and staff too much.

shazammer said: Ashley,
If you only have one more year I would complete my degree in hygiene just to HAVE it. As a kid I often worked in waitress jobs with women who told me they had gotten 3 years of nursing school done and never finished or whatever. Get your schooling done in one field. I have a gut feeling that hygiene will be important in those underserved areas and will have the same clout as a nurse practicioner or physician's assistant. As more people need care hygienists will be the go-to person. I have been a hygienist for 45 years and it has served me remarkably well and I have NEVER been sorry I got my degree. Hang in there, you will be glad you did. They can never take it away from you, once it is hanging on your wall.

Thank You

I am not in DH school I was just thinking about applying. Thanks for all the helpful info and support.

Bacon Bits in Middleton, Wisconsin said: I am working full time and going to school to knock out some of the pre requirements for a degree in DH - I have been looking at financial aid, loans ... and it is looking grim, going to school and daily living expenses out-price the availability of funding - am I wrong to think that going to school is a pipe dream? I have no family and nothing in savings - just a couple of classes after work have compromised my time and money. Has anyone else found funding to be such a nightmare?

Hi, Please read what the young to older R.D.H.'s say about what's happening in our field....I am in the middle as far as age, and I can tell you, it's rough and very competitive for work....If I were younger....I would think medical field, retirement, ben's , many R.D.H.'s save on their own; there are a very few who've lucked out on the good practices...but the abundance of R.D.H.'s now are driving down pay, ben's (if any), and putting the Dr.'s in a choice position. If you have any aspirations to the Dental field, might I suggest training as a D.A., to see if it is still the field you want to pursue....it costs 2-4,000? approx. and you get your foot in the door, and possibly F.T. employment with ben's....just a thought....then go from there. GL

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: I am in the very same boat and showed your post this morning to my counselor at the unemployment office. Some of them are arguing with me tht hygiene is lucrative and profitable. Not for some of us, huh? I too HATE the thought of time, money and effort of going back to school and I have to take pre-reqs all over too. But I am applying for the nursing program as well. The soonest I could get accepted is Jan 2011. So until then I'll be at walmart I guess...Laughed at the comment of putting your resume under the door. You were definitely trying to get that job!! Good Luck.[/QUOT

I posted this forum in the very begining. I grad as a RDH in 2000, I have been going to school for the last 2 years p/t and finally this fall semester have been f/t nursing program for my BSN have had a few clinicals and I love it!!! Just keep plugging along! 2011 will be here before you know it!

Ashley in Fayetteville, North Carolina said: This does seem to be an honest forum: so is it a good idea to go to hygiene or is it a better idea to do something else? I thought about dental assisting but they just dont get paid enough. Any ideas would be greatly appreciative.

Thank you

I posted to this forum very early on. I have been RDH for 9 years now I am currently returning to school for a RN (BSN) I in a wonderful f/t school of nursing and love it! I wish I would have done this the first time! Nursing has way more opportunities! Just as much money and you get to help people just the same if not more!

Hi ww,
Thank-you so much for the encouraging words and sharing your own personal story. I know you will be so much more content and hope I will be eventually also.
I know what you mean about time passing quickly. If I had gone back to school when I wanted to and saw the handwriting on the wall I'd be done by now. I just kept trying to tell myself things would get better. I feel for the first time in years like there's hope. Education is always a good thing.
Good luck with your clinicals!

how long will it take you to get licsened as RN and do you have to take a board exam. I am thinking of doing the same.

ww in Ottawa, Illinois said: I posted to this forum very early on. I have been RDH for 9 years now I am currently returning to school for a RN (BSN) I in a wonderful f/t school of nursing and love it! I wish I would have done this the first time! Nursing has way more opportunities! Just as much money and you get to help people just the same if not more!

Thanks.... I thought about nursing at one point.... i could do a ABSN program for like 16 or 18 months and be done since I have my BS degree.... I also thought about Diagnostic Medical Sonagrapher/ultrasound tech as well.... I am in a medical coding & billing program now so we will see what happens :)

To go for either lpn or rn you have to get the pre-reqs done first, at least 1 or 2 years depending on how heavy of schedule you can handle. I'm going for my lpn first which is 1 year after pre-reqs and they are relatively simple for lpn). College level math, A&P 1 and 2, English and 1 elective. There are many bridge programs here that will assist with funding to advance to the rn. I'm thinking it will take me 3 years to get the rn, maybe 3 1/2. It's very humbling to be in class again when I thought as a hygienist I was set for life. But change is good and if you decide to go for it get on the nursing forum. LOTS of encouragement to go for it!

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: To go for either lpn or rn you have to get the pre-reqs done first, at least 1 or 2 years depending on how heavy of schedule you can handle. I'm going for my lpn first which is 1 year after pre-reqs and they are relatively simple for lpn). College level math, A&P 1 and 2, English and 1 elective. There are many bridge programs here that will assist with funding to advance to the rn. I'm thinking it will take me 3 years to get the rn, maybe 3 1/2. It's very humbling to be in class again when I thought as a hygienist I was set for life. But change is good and if you decide to go for it get on the nursing forum. LOTS of encouragement to go for it!

Good luck to you Suzanne! I hope all runs smoothly for you with Nursing! Still keep a hand in D.H.; our professions loss the Medical fields find! Take care....I'm still working some 1/2 days in 2 offices....? possible full day in one and looking at a new office where I met the Dr. 3 months back (I check in to say hello....to let them know of my avalibility). Exp

Thanks exp! I'm starting my math class(yuk)in Jan and a CNA class in 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to it finally. Was really tough to think of myself going to $9/hour and not doing hygiene. But life changes. Just got off the phone with a friend and he had me laughing about it all so I guess I'm moving on in my own way. Also got an email from a dds who might be needing someone after the first of the year so you never know :)!

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: Thanks exp! I'm starting my math class(yuk)in Jan and a CNA class in 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to it finally. Was really tough to think of myself going to $9/hour and not doing hygiene. But life changes. Just got off the phone with a friend and he had me laughing about it all so I guess I'm moving on in my own way. Also got an email from a dds who might be needing someone after the first of the year so you never know :)!

Keep in contact with this site and....check back with that Dentist! Have you met him or can you check out his webpage? How many days, etc. is he possibly looking at for you? Hope you get it and if not, his loss....."Have a nice day"! Exp

Hey exp,
Got an interview Monday! Wish me luck please. I don't know anything about it except another dds gave them my name (don't have a clue) and it's an hour and a half from me. Someone retired and a new dds is coming in so they already have a patient base. The OM called today twice while I was gone and the minute I hit the door my daughter was bringing me the phone. I'll let you know what happens, I'm going to be nervous all weekend!

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: Hey exp,
Got an interview Monday! Wish me luck please. I don't know anything about it except another dds gave them my name (don't have a clue) and it's an hour and a half from me. Someone retired and a new dds is coming in so they already have a patient base. The OM called today twice while I was gone and the minute I hit the door my daughter was bringing me the phone. I'll let you know what happens, I'm going to be nervous all weekend!

Hi Suzanne!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR INTERVIEW! Smile and be yourself! Let us know how it went! Talk to you soon, Exp P.S. Can you Google him and see if he has a webpg., etc....I find if they have one, you can usually get some idea of the workplace.

Jessica, CA in Fremont, California said: I have gone over couple comments and most of them are negative about dental hygienist... I'm thinking of doing it and need only 2 more classes for the program...I am working as a dental assistant now and I think dental hygienist is something that I want to do. So I go for it and I think as long as you like it, it will be rewarding! :) Good luck to you all!

I am trying to find out how to take the mid western regionals and who gives the test does anyone know?

It is called Central Regional Dental Testing, look up CRDTS on Google and see what pops up.

Google CRDTS and it will bring up the Central Regional Dental Testing Service that covers 15 states

I am a dental hygienist who will graduate from a BSN program in 5 weeks, I was fotunate that most of my prereqs for RDH counted for my prereqs for BSN, so it took me 2 1/2 yrs to complete. I went to nursing school because my RDH specialty is in public health and thought that public health RN would be a good fit.

It is unfortunate that the economy is what it is and there are very few public health jobs that are being filled. Most of the positions that were available a few months ago have been put on hold.

This should turn around soon and I do not regret going back to school, just wish I had a job lined up after graduation.

Networking has been the only way that I have gotten jobs in the past and this is the approach I will be taking again. I will join our states public health nursing organization to help meet nurses in this field.

I will also volunteer at a local clinic for the uninsured to keep up my skills.

Congratulations Katie!!!
So happy for you. I know you WILL find a job in the nursing field. Wish it was me :).

Does anyone know if it is possible to become a dental hygienist without attending a hands on program, but instead learn inside an office? I live on the big island of Hawaii and the only dental hygiene program is on another island and do not wish to relocate. Thank you!