why do dental hygienists who can't find a job assume that there must not be any?

i don't get it. i graduated with a class of about 30 last year and almost everyone is working by now. and there are multiple DH programs in western new york.

well?

That is a concern of mine. I'm in school now, and hope to get into the DH program when I'm done with my general ed. I noticed a lot of people saying there are no jobs. When I look into it on Craigslist or Indeed, I notice that they are right. A small handful of DH jobs, but tons of DA jobs. I was told by a dentist that I would not find work as a DH here in San Jose, and that I'd have to travel to the outskirts of the Bay Area to find work. He said that dentist do their own cleaning and duties that DH do. So, my question is then, how do you typically find work when you graduate? Does the school you graduated from find you work, or is there a job message board most people don't know about? Or what????

sierra in Buffalo, New York said: i don't get it. i graduated with a class of about 30 last year and almost everyone is working by now. and there are multiple DH programs in western new york.

You must be in a "good area in New York"! The hygiene field cannot be judged by "online jobs". What I mean is... that at least in the NORTHEAST: NH and MA it IS OVERCROWDED"!. Schools are graduating MANY R.D.H.'s and the truth is there are 100-200 applicants easily for jobs listed in a number of sources from papers (paper and online), to agencies. Unfortunately many new R.D.H.'s are in for an "AWAKENING" after putting 2+ years and $$$$$$ into a job field that doesn't have the opportunities it had 2+ years ago!!!!!!

I have been a hygienist for 20+ years and have worked in California, Oregon and very rural Idaho. In all three of these locations I have found in general most dentists do not advertise their openings. I have found most of my jobs by "cold calling" offices in the phone book...yes, sometimes one after the other...but in the end have usually with in a short period of time have been able to find work. Many offices even if they are not currently hiring, may be able to refer you to an office they have heard is hiring. Also, joining any dental/dental hygiene societies that may be in your area is a great way to network and hear of openings by word of mouth...which again seems to another way many dentists hire, rather than advertising. Also I have heard many hygienists subbing and/or filling in at offices for maternity leave which many times have turned into permanent positions. Good luck!

I am considering getting into dental hygiene very soon. I'm in the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area (and, of course, everything within a 40 mile radius of this area).

Can anyone tell me the chances of getting a position in two years (when I'm done with school)?

I have to concur, the RDH market in Tn. is extremely tight.I have temped for 15 years, and have never been this slow or worried! I am considering moving out of state!

There must not have been no males or minorities in your class. I used to live in Rochester, NY. Most of the males and minorities moved away due to lack of jobs for us.

I have been working as a hygienist in Vancouver BC for 7years. When I graduated from the program everyone in my class basically had multiple job offers or interviews at the end of the program. But over the last 6months there has been a flood of new grads saturating the market. I currently have a full time position at a great office which I am very grateful. But when I phone the temping agency to see if I could pick up a few extra hours they told me that hygiene positions have dried up. The big contributing factor were the number of new schools that have opened up. So unfortunately things have changed a lot from even a year ago.

if a dental hygenist from alabama moves out of state. is their license still valid in pa?

cht in Langhorne, Pennsylvania said: if a dental hygenist from alabama moves out of state. is their license still valid in pa?

Hi, Contact the PA board of Dental Examiners. You will probably have to take a Jurisprudence test (not sure of passing grade), and send copies of your license, official college transcript, and if you have other certification (official copies). These are just a few things I feel they will want so have them ready and in hand before making your move to PA. Good luck.

I believe no other state will accept an Alabama hygienist, since they do not have or are required to have a license. Many are "trained by the dentist", and that's why their base hrly salary is $10.00-$12.00 hrly!

cht in Langhorn,PA How's it going? What have you found out? Have you contacted the Dental Examiners Board in PA yet? I hope it all works out for you.

sierra in Buffalo, New York said: i don't get it. i graduated with a class of about 30 last year and almost everyone is working by now. and there are multiple DH programs in western new york.

The midwest is flooded with RDHs. I graduated last yr and only work temp jobs. Two friends from school are going back to become nurses. One friend cant find any work and has decided to work as an assistant. Chicago is the closest big city to go for a job. One friend moved there and has only temped as well. She has been on several interviews and can only get temp jobs! You have to work hard to get work and the pay is going down fast. 18.00 per hr is the latest that I have heard of. Im looking into another career myself. I have only made 4,000 dollars this year and it's nearly half over. And that was assisting temp jobs too!

RDH2 in Bettendorf, Iowa said: The midwest is flooded with RDHs. I graduated last yr and only work temp jobs. Two friends from school are going back to become nurses. One friend cant find any work and has decided to work as an assistant. Chicago is the closest big city to go for a job. One friend moved there and has only temped as well. She has been on several interviews and can only get temp jobs! You have to work hard to get work and the pay is going down fast. 18.00 per hr is the latest that I have heard of. Im looking into another career myself. I have only made 4,000 dollars this year and it's nearly half over. And that was assisting temp jobs too!

RDH2, It is hard out there, we feel it in the N.E. too! Have you done the following (I don't mean to say you haven't , and I continue to do these on nearly a daily basis): Re-contacted offices you've worked for on your own (give updated resumes), checked offices online and in the newspapers, continued to call the temp. agencie(s) 2-3x daily (really sometimes BINGO you get the job cuz you just called them), given out business cards (keep them in your wallet) so if you see an office on your way to... you can leave yours and take theirs (I write the O.M.'s name and who I spoke with and also ask for a webpg so I may send them my resume...)... If you can , and are willing to drive further? If you've done all of this and beyond , keep plugging away...I hope that something comes your way in the near future....

deb in San Jose, California said: That is a concern of mine. I'm in school now, and hope to get into the DH program when I'm done with my general ed. I noticed a lot of people saying there are no jobs. When I look into it on Craigslist or Indeed, I notice that they are right. A small handful of DH jobs, but tons of DA jobs. I was told by a dentist that I would not find work as a DH here in San Jose, and that I'd have to travel to the outskirts of the Bay Area to find work. He said that dentist do their own cleaning and duties that DH do. So, my question is then, how do you typically find work when you graduate? Does the school you graduated from find you work, or is there a job message board most people don't know about? Or what????

Im An RDH in Cedar Rapids IA. The best way to get a job is by subbing, not all dental offices advertise when they need help. So you just have to send out your updated resume and cover letter stating that you can start as a sub...many of my rdh friends got their jobs that way, and what better way to scope out the office too for you own good! good luck....

k-rdh in Cedar Rapids, Iowa said: Im An RDH in Cedar Rapids IA. The best way to get a job is by subbing, not all dental offices advertise when they need help. So you just have to send out your updated resume and cover letter stating that you can start as a sub...many of my rdh friends got their jobs that way, and what better way to scope out the office too for you own good! good luck....

This also saves the Dr. a "agency fee" which makes them happy! Another addition to the above would be to ask to have taxes taken out; this would make it easier on you the R.D.H. come tax time. Some Dr. do and other will not, but there's no harm in asking!

denicollie@bellsouth.net in Harriman, Tennessee said: I believe no other state will accept an Alabama hygienist, since they do not have or are required to have a license. Many are "trained by the dentist", and that's why their base hrly salary is $10.00-$12.00 hrly!

Hygienists in Alabama are required to have a license. They take a state board just like everyother state. The only difference is that they do whats called a preceptorship program for a year instead of going to school and don't take the national board. That would be the only problem in working in another state. You would have to first take the national board. But the base salary in Alabama isn't 10-12 an hour. The area i have been looking in is more like 20-25.

Is the AL state board regulated by the same dds's that decide whether the 1 year preceptorship has been completed successfully? That could be a recipe for failure if you get on the wrong side of the dr. How can you set for the national board if you don't graduate an accredited program of hygiene? Just curious.

Here is something that has been bothering me and I hope I am wrong. I've been out of work since Obama has been in office. I am Afro-American. I am not the only one. I get interviews but I see the interviewers faces when they realize I am black. Not saying all places do that but I can tell which ones. I've been on 14 interviews. I was offered a job at a black office but they couldn't decide on a hire date. I'm tired of jobs being based on color. I'm to the point if the office has a website and there is not any minorities on it I won't apply. It's said but why waste my time. I don't want to work where I am not wanted. I wish minority pts knew how some of these DDS are. I personally like a mixed environment. I don't like all black or all white offices.

It depends on the area you live. I have been pratcing for aprox. 6 years now. I graduated in Bakersfield Ca. The few jobs posted had on average 15-20 applicants. Also due to the over population of Hygienists in that area, the Dr.'s expect you to see more patients and are paying less than they paid in the 1980's. I chose to drive 2 hours out of town to work normal hours and for a decent pay. One year ago (2008)a family member of mine seeked treatment at my shcool of graduation. One of the theachers asked about me, and said how lucky I was I graduated when I did and am in a solid pratice because they had multiple grads. that hadn't been able to find work in over 2 years. Albeit these people were not willing to commute, but not everyone is in a position to do so. I am in a different part of Ca. now, very close to Nevada. I took the Nv. boards and inquired to 179 offices, I got nothing. I have handed out many resumes to be kept on file, nothing. I am on the temp. list nothing. I would like to work 5 days a week as I did when I first graduated. Just recently I picked up another day to equal 4 days. It is not a lack of my trying. I applied in Ca. and Nv. So if you are lucky enough to live a area where job opportunities are good, be thankful, but lose the judgement on other areas and Hygienists. Many are not working 1 day a week!

Tanya McCullough in Westwood, California said: It depends on the area you live. I have been pratcing for aprox. 6 years now. I graduated in Bakersfield Ca. The few jobs posted had on average 15-20 applicants. Also due to the over population of Hygienists in that area, the Dr.'s expect you to see more patients and are paying less than they paid in the 1980's. I chose to drive 2 hours out of town to work normal hours and for a decent pay. One year ago (2008)a family member of mine seeked treatment at my shcool of graduation. One of the theachers asked about me, and said how lucky I was I graduated when I did and am in a solid pratice because they had multiple grads. that hadn't been able to find work in over 2 years. Albeit these people were not willing to commute, but not everyone is in a position to do so. I am in a different part of Ca. now, very close to Nevada. I took the Nv. boards and inquired to 179 offices, I got nothing. I have handed out many resumes to be kept on file, nothing. I am on the temp. list nothing. I would like to work 5 days a week as I did when I first graduated. Just recently I picked up another day to equal 4 days. It is not a lack of my trying. I applied in Ca. and Nv. So if you are lucky enough to live a area where job opportunities are good, be thankful, but lose the judgement on other areas and Hygienists. Many are not working 1 day a week!

Tanya, Thank you for saying: "lose the judgement on other areas and
hygienists....." Many, like you who work, and have a good Dr. to work for are few it seems....I still don't get their attitude about those looking DAILY for employment: P.T., fill-in, last minute....thank you. The new R.D.H.'s working and soon to be a newer Abundance of R.D.H.'s just keep applying to this questionable field...even with all that has been offered as to insight into the job market by older AND NEW GRADUATES, who don't understand why they are having a hard time finding jobs....???

I AM A PERIO HYGIENIST WITH 30+ YEARS EXP. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND ONE DAY A WEEK IN THE VANCOUVER, WA. AREA BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND AN RDH PLACEMENT SERVICE IN THIS AREA. ANY INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

BEVERLY ~RDH in Vancouver, Washington said: I AM A PERIO HYGIENIST WITH 30+ YEARS EXP. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND ONE DAY A WEEK IN THE VANCOUVER, WA. AREA BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND AN RDH PLACEMENT SERVICE IN THIS AREA. ANY INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

Have you tried googling for the info.? Do you have any contact with other R.D.H.'s, ie-association for R.D.H.'s.... GL

Thanks for your reply. I have Googled and Binged but have not learned of an RDH Employment agency or an RDH Placement service in Vancouver, WA. I used to do a volunteer Placement service in Oregon for the Oregon Dental Hygienists Association several years ago so I had expected to find the same thing in Vancouver.Zilch! I also joined Jobs Indeed and was sent job openings for dental assistants. So what does Indeed not get?? I also placed a Craigslist ad and got job offers that had NOTHING to do with Perio Dental Hygienist. One person offered me a job taking care of his Mother. It is a good thing I have a good sense of humor!!!

Smiles,
Beverly

BEVERLY ~RDH in Vancouver, Washington said: Thanks for your reply. I have Googled and Binged but have not learned of an RDH Employment agency or an RDH Placement service in Vancouver, WA. I used to do a volunteer Placement service in Oregon for the Oregon Dental Hygienists Association several years ago so I had expected to find the same thing in Vancouver.Zilch! I also joined Jobs Indeed and was sent job openings for dental assistants. So what does Indeed not get?? I also placed a Craigslist ad and got job offers that had NOTHING to do with Perio Dental Hygienist. One person offered me a job taking care of his Mother. It is a good thing I have a good sense of humor!!!

Smiles,
Beverly

Hi Beverly, It's tough times, if you have D.A. skills, use them to get into an office, Sub teach, etc. I find that I have to utilize "other skills" to be employed (right now). I'm sure you've done the following: checked online and followed up , gone on foot with resumes and followed up (make sure to take their business card and names of person(s) you spoke with and their position at that office, etc. Also contact agencies, and re-check
2-3x daily for work....also let them know of offices you's like to go back to...make "cheat sheets of the office procedures,etc. for yourself....". I hope this helps in finding employment for you. I know I feel like a telemarketer on a daily basis...sometimes it works.....to pay the bills...GL

GL-Thank you for your reply :) I actually have a Perio Hygienist job in Portland, I just want to pick up one day in Vancouver, Wa. I have sent brochures to offices within the radius I would consider, but as we know many offices are seeing a decline in the number of patients they still hold onto. My employer/dentist used to be scheduled 6 weeks out, now it is one week out. I used to have dentists out bid each other to get a Perio Hygienist into their offices. Times have really changed. I certainly never thought I would see such economic downturn in my lifetime. It is just shocking. After I get back from a vacation, I am going to make some on-site visits:)

Beverly

BEVERLY ~RDH in Vancouver, Washington said: GL-Thank you for your reply :) I actually have a Perio Hygienist job in Portland, I just want to pick up one day in Vancouver, Wa. I have sent brochures to offices within the radius I would consider, but as we know many offices are seeing a decline in the number of patients they still hold onto. My employer/dentist used to be scheduled 6 weeks out, now it is one week out. I used to have dentists out bid each other to get a Perio Hygienist into their offices. Times have really changed. I certainly never thought I would see such economic downturn in my lifetime. It is just shocking. After I get back from a vacation, I am going to make some on-site visits:)

Beverly

GL and watch how the other employees are....in this economy ....you need to do this to keep your job ( I say this because of the oversaturation, etc...).

Hello,

I have been a hygienist for a couple of years now and cant seem to find a job anywhere. I have sent out over 100 resumes, called offices as if I were a telemarketer, applied for every job on craigslist and still nothing. If I had known that it would be this hard getting a dh job I would have reconsidered my major in college before I got in debt from student loans. I believe that the economy has something to do with it of course but I think that the larger issue here is simply that the market is completely flooded. There are just too many hygienists and not enough jobs to go around. Good luck to all you hygienists out there looking for jobs. I now how it feels to have a bachelors degree that you cannot use :-(

Sorry Port1222, I know how you feel. I have my master's degree and have yet to put it to use. Im seriously considering a career change.

If you think Dental Hygienists are having a hard time making it, The dentists are having a very hard time keeping a practice together. My Portland employer was always scheduled 5-8 weeks out. Not anymore. He is lucky if he has enough work to do for one week at a time. When patients lose their jobs, they also lose their dental benefits and not one of the patients will come in and run up a bill that they are unable to pay because they do not have a job. I really think it is going to take a while for our tanked economy to get back to where it used to be. Don't give up your desire to be an employed RDH and I do not think the market is saturated. It is the times in which we are living all of us are trying to survive. Some of us may need to reinvent ourselves untill we can fullfil our dreams.

cht in Langhorne, Pennsylvania said: if a dental hygenist from alabama moves out of state. is their license still valid in pa?

Basically, if you were a preceptor trained " hygienist" , then you are not actually a Hygienist. You have no license, no education, and no standing with real hygienists.

Tammy in Vancouver, Washington said: I am considering getting into dental hygiene very soon. I'm in the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area (and, of course, everything within a 40 mile radius of this area).

Can anyone tell me the chances of getting a position in two years (when I'm done with school)?

Tammy, even if you get a job the burn out rate in this field is ridiculous. I have been a very successful RDH for 25 years. The dentist don't appreciate your contribution and the other staff think you are way over paid for what you do. Take my advise and find something else to major in.

sandy

rdhinillinois in Naperville, Illinois said: Tammy, even if you get a job the burn out rate in this field is ridiculous. I have been a very successful RDH for 25 years. The dentist don't appreciate your contribution and the other staff think you are way over paid for what you do. Take my advise and find something else to major in.

sandy

Just curious...How did you get passed the burnout? and you are successful...do you feel stuck in DH? I am sure you helped lots of people along the way....and they matter more than ungrateful dentists and catty coworkers....

honestly it shouldn't matter what other people think. Go to work, do you're best and the rest can suck it.

I've sent out well over 100 resumes. I don't know why I can't find a job. It is very disheartening. I'm willing to relocate to Augusta or Savannah if need be (my husband has seniority in those locations with his job and can easily relocate). I'm an experienced hygienist with a batchelors degree. I'm really getting disillusioned.

LoriDent in Macon, Georgia said: I've sent out well over 100 resumes. I don't know why I can't find a job. It is very disheartening. I'm willing to relocate to Augusta or Savannah if need be (my husband has seniority in those locations with his job and can easily relocate). I'm an experienced hygienist with a batchelors degree. I'm really getting disillusioned.

Hi Lori, Are you able to take some time and go to Augusta or Savannah to scope out the practices there? I would google offices in those locations: address, ph#'s, webpg if possible, etc.....then take a week and travel there with your husband, bring all and business cards too...in hand and try to meet the Dr.'s if you can get past the O.Mgrs.....write info. down and who you spoke with....let them know if interested in you of when you would be able to move there....have a reference pg. too, so they can call on references. I hope this helps. It's rough out there, but sometimes you hit an office at just the right time or call offices to stay in touch and they "need an R.D.H.....GL

cht in Langhorne, Pennsylvania said: if a dental hygenist from alabama moves out of state. is their license still valid in pa?

Nope...there is criteria approval...which took me over 6 months to get when moving to Pa. from Louisiana. I thought Alabama was a preceptorship state?

BEVERLY ~RDH in Vancouver, Washington said: Thanks for your reply. I have Googled and Binged but have not learned of an RDH Employment agency or an RDH Placement service in Vancouver, WA. I used to do a volunteer Placement service in Oregon for the Oregon Dental Hygienists Association several years ago so I had expected to find the same thing in Vancouver.Zilch! I also joined Jobs Indeed and was sent job openings for dental assistants. So what does Indeed not get?? I also placed a Craigslist ad and got job offers that had NOTHING to do with Perio Dental Hygienist. One person offered me a job taking care of his Mother. It is a good thing I have a good sense of humor!!!

Smiles,
Beverly

Beverly,
I see you posted a little while back but wanted to share this. I sent a resume a few weeks ago in response to an ad in the dental/medical column of our newspaper and got an offer of $8/hour to clean a dds's home for 20 hours and the other 20 hours was to enter info (I have no idea what) on his home computer! I thought someone was pranking me and laughed so hard he hung up!!

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: Beverly,
I see you posted a little while back but wanted to share this. I sent a resume a few weeks ago in response to an ad in the dental/medical column of our newspaper and got an offer of $8/hour to clean a dds's home for 20 hours and the other 20 hours was to enter info (I have no idea what) on his home computer! I thought someone was pranking me and laughed so hard he hung up!!

Hi Suzanne,
What can we say and THINK about those related? to our profession? They are pathetic to say the least. We just got back from a visit to Rome and then a 14 day Translatlantic cruise and it will take a while to restart the normal life routine. I will be checking job scene again. We met a retired dentist and wife on the cruise from our area and he is about 3 years out of the professional; does not have a clue on the RDH situations. I could pull weeds or more than $8.00 per hour!! and weeds don't give me any gruff. Have a great day and thanks for your comment. Brought a big grin to my faced.
Beverly

rdhinillinois in Naperville, Illinois said: Tammy, even if you get a job the burn out rate in this field is ridiculous. I have been a very successful RDH for 25 years. The dentist don't appreciate your contribution and the other staff think you are way over paid for what you do. Take my advise and find something else to major in.

sandy

As far as the other staff who think the RDH makes SO much more than they do...the CDA's and receptionists at our office make $22 per hour, and I make $30 after 13 years service. They get to chat it up, have regular breaks, go to the bathroom whenever they feel like it, call their spouse on company time, all the while I am out back busting my tushy all day long without so much time as to go pee once during the day. There is a huge misconception that the RDH doesn't deserve what they get paid....I have no benefits and no pension, no sick days, no vacation pay. The receptionists at our office have paid sick days(12 of them!) which is technically paid vacation time, and uniform allowance ($400) for the year which for some reason the RDH's in our office do not qualify for. All things considered they get paid better, and we are the ones in the back putting all the sweat into the day to make money for the practice. I am so sick and tired of all the greedy attitudes in this profession, people need to remember that the grass is not always greener on the other side even if we think it is!

RDH in Windsor, Ontario said: As far as the other staff who think the RDH makes SO much more than they do...the CDA's and receptionists at our office make $22 per hour, and I make $30 after 13 years service. They get to chat it up, have regular breaks, go to the bathroom whenever they feel like it, call their spouse on company time, all the while I am out back busting my tushy all day long without so much time as to go pee once during the day. There is a huge misconception that the RDH doesn't deserve what they get paid....I have no benefits and no pension, no sick days, no vacation pay. The receptionists at our office have paid sick days(12 of them!) which is technically paid vacation time, and uniform allowance ($400) for the year which for some reason the RDH's in our office do not qualify for. All things considered they get paid better, and we are the ones in the back putting all the sweat into the day to make money for the practice. I am so sick and tired of all the greedy attitudes in this profession, people need to remember that the grass is not always greener on the other side even if we think it is!

DH sounds horrible!!! I still wonder if it is bad every where or is this just what happens in some offices.

I've worked in 1 great office in 15 years. Posters from all over the US and Canada say the same. There are more bad than good.

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: I've worked in 1 great office in 15 years. Posters from all over the US and Canada say the same. There are more bad than good.

Thats really sad...Do the doctors not realize that they reap what they sow?

michellerdh in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania said: Nope...there is criteria approval...which took me over 6 months to get when moving to Pa. from Louisiana. I thought Alabama was a preceptorship state?

Seriously. I thought hygienists were educated people. If you are going to feel passionate about something then do some research. There is an accredited dental hygiene school in Alabama. Just because a hyg is from AL does not mean that he/she was trained on the job! As a grad of an accredited hyg school in AL I have firsthand experience with stupidity and snobbiness of other hyg when I lived and worked in other parts of the country.

Yikes, don't take your self so seriously! It's hard not to be defensive, because in the RDH magazines, it's always noted how poorly Alabama treats the dental profession. After practicing in Mich. and Nevada,Tenn. isn't too progressive either. Demographics or stereotypes, or unable to feel the difference. Happy Holidays! Peace out!

Tammy in Vancouver, Washington said: I am considering getting into dental hygiene very soon. I'm in the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area (and, of course, everything within a 40 mile radius of this area).

Can anyone tell me the chances of getting a position in two years (when I'm done with school)?

My advice to you would be to go into some other field that has jobs.
The job market for dental hygienists is very bad nation wide.
Pick nursing or some other field where there are jobs.

rad in Portsmouth, New Hampshire said: My advice to you would be to go into some other field that has jobs.
The job market for dental hygienists is very bad nation wide.
Pick nursing or some other field where there are jobs.

Ditto rad, But everyone reading what we say will choose what THEY want as a career...even though we are giving them the reality of what is happening....loss of alot of $ for them and a questionable job market they will find when they have completed their education and licensing exams....

Kim in Harvest, Alabama said: Seriously. I thought hygienists were educated people. If you are going to feel passionate about something then do some research. There is an accredited dental hygiene school in Alabama. Just because a hyg is from AL does not mean that he/she was trained on the job! As a grad of an accredited hyg school in AL I have firsthand experience with stupidity and snobbiness of other hyg when I lived and worked in other parts of the country.

Yes, we are educated and some of us are even polite and respectful.
Alabama has long had a bad reputation for hygienists. If you trained at an accredited college I'm sure you entered into it knowing how other states view Alabama. ALL people can be stupid and snobby. If you consider yourself an equal peer and respect your colleagues who cares how they view themselves or you? When you get defensive it gives them power over you.

Kim in Harvest, Alabama said: Seriously. I thought hygienists were educated people. If you are going to feel passionate about something then do some research. There is an accredited dental hygiene school in Alabama. Just because a hyg is from AL does not mean that he/she was trained on the job! As a grad of an accredited hyg school in AL I have firsthand experience with stupidity and snobbiness of other hyg when I lived and worked in other parts of the country.

This series of comments all started with someone wanting to know if they could work in PA if they were a hygienist in Alabama. While I can understand how you could take offense to some of the comments posted here, the fact is, most hygienists practicing in Alabama are trained through preceptorship and have neither graduated from an accredited school nor sat for the National Board Exam. These hygienists cannot practice in any other state, period. Until they have graduated from an accredited program, passed the National Board Exam, passed the appropriate clinical board and jurisprudence exam for the state they wish to practice in, they are confined to working in the state of Alabama.

P.S. Those of you having a hard time finding work in other parts of the country...move to Texas. The job market is great here and the compensation is far better than anything I have seen posted here. A 4 year degree is definately a plus. Hope this was helpful. Good luck to all.