How to become a dental hygienist
Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree..Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
What dental hygienists do
- Record and review patient medical histories.
- Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Expose and develop x-ray film.
- Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
- Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
- Administer local anesthetic agents.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Is dental hygienist a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 92% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- District of Columbia $137,220
- Alaska $132,690
- Washington $131,160
- California $124,930
- Oregon $122,080
Dental Hygienists salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.