How do you make over $60,000 a year with 2 years of school? Be a dental hygienist.

Are you a good fit to be a dental hygienist?

• Do you have really great teeth?
• Do you want to teach others how to have really great teeth?
• Does the idea of staring at teeth and gums all day appeal to you in a strange way?

How do I become a dental hygienist?
The bad news is you definitely need a degree to be a dental hygienist but the good news is that you can choose from many different types of degrees. Some dental hygienists obtain an associate’s degree, while some get a bachelor’s degree and some very motivated people get a master’s degree.

So what degree should you get? It depends on what you want to do. According to the U.S. Department of Labor:

A minimum of an associate’s degree or certificate or diploma in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.

You also need to be licensed in your state in order to work as a dental hygienist. The requirements vary by state so be sure to check out your individual states’ Dental Hygienists’ Association. To get an idea, you can check out California’s requirements here. 

What do dental hygienists do?
Many people wonder what the difference is between a dental assistant and dental hygienist. A dental hygienist has a lot more training, which leads to a lot more responsibility, which (hopefully) leads to a lot more pay. Some common duties a dental hygienist performs are:

• Clean and polish teeth, including removing stains and plaque
• Examine patients’ teeth and gums
• Teach patients about oral health
• Administer anesthetics (in some states)

What is the average salary for dental hygienists?
According to Salary.com the average salary for dental hygienists is $64,341.

Helpful dental hygienist links
Dental Hygiene Programs by State 
American Dental Hygienists’ Association

Do you still need help finding a school to become a dental hygienst?  Check out College Directory Network for schools near you that offer dental hygiene degrees.  

Is being a dental hygienist not for you?  Check out the rest of the EdSoup fast track series.