Dental hygienists can work in various settings, ranging from hospital rooms to community outreach, general dental practices, or even independent caregiving. Their patients range from young children to the elderly with varying dental care needs.
Given the undeniable worth of dental hygiene to overall healthcare, it’s sometimes worth examining how much dental hygienists make from their services.
So, whether you’re a prospective student in the field or are considering a career switch into this role, the question is, “How much does a dental hygienist make?” This post has got you covered.
Read on to learn about the responsibilities and rewards of working as a dental hygienist.
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
Before responding to the elephant in the room, “How much does a dental hygienist make?” Here we’ll explore what these professionals contribute to patients’ lives and the profession at large.
As a dental hygienist, your work entails:
- Offering professional advice on dental hygiene care and oral health education to patients (both young and old)
- Working closely with the dental team (including dentists, dental nurses, and therapists) to treat and help patients in preventing gum disease
- Ensuring that dental instruments and equipment are in place and appropriately sterilized
- Taking radiographs and impressions (X-rays) of teeth
- Giving a local anesthetic
- Cleaning, polishing, and scaling teeth using a range of dental instruments
- Applying treatments to reduce decay
- Collecting patients’ medical and dental histories while maintaining the patients’ health records
- Encouraging and demonstrating tooth brushing and cleaning in between teeth
- Showing care and compassion for patients while placing them at the center of oral care
- Applying fissure sealants to protect teeth
- Working to a professional code of ethics and keeping up to date with recent developments in the field
Additionally, dental hygienists can directly treat patients or follow a dentist’s instructions in administering care. Often, newly qualified hygienists ought to stick closely to a dentist’s prescription for at least 12 months before directly treating patients, either independently or as part of a dental team in practice.
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How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make?
The amount a dental hygienist makes largely depends on their location, experience, and employer. However, we’ll provide a general guide to how much dental hygienists make annually.
In the UK’s NHS, starting salaries for dental hygienists are between £29,970 and £36,483 based on band 5 of the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scale. Specialist dental hygienists can earn between £37,338 and £44,962, based on band 6 of the AfC pay scale.
More experienced hygienists with training responsibilities may earn up to 52,809 on band 7. While hourly rates in the UK vary by location, the national average is £35 per hour.
In the United States, a dental hygienist makes $87,530 on average annually. However, like in many countries, the pay varies from one city to another.
Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics state that dental hygienists in Washington, DC, earn the most ($123,510), with similarly high salaries in California, Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Per hour, a US dental hygienist earns about $52.
Elsewhere, Australian dental hygienists earn an average of $93,639, while Canada offers $87,995 in salaries for the same role annually. South Africa-based dental hygienists earn about $8,000 annually, while Chinese and Saudi dental hygienists earn about $109,000 and $21,300 annually, respectively.
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How Long Do Dental Hygienists Work?
Dental hygienists work 37.5 hours per week, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm. They may sometimes have to work on weekends or in the evenings, depending on their employer.
Hospital roles may involve work shifts or weekend calls, while communal dental care roles might allow more flexibility. Often, dental hygienists work in multiple practice settings, including independent, hospital, or community dental services.
What It Takes to Be a Dental Hygienist Anywhere
The basic requirements for becoming a dental hygienist are typically the same, regardless of your location. In the UK, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC), which corresponds with varying accrediting bodies globally.
The GDC demands that intending dental hygienists meet any of the following minimum requirements:
- A 3-year degree in oral health science (or four years at the University of Edinburgh), dental hygiene, or dental hygiene and therapy
- A 2-year diploma of higher education in dental hygiene (or 27 months if the course covers dental therapy or hygiene)
- A 2-year foundation degree in oral health science
People who have completed an integrated degree or diploma in both dental therapy and hygiene can work as both a dental hygienist and therapist.
Meanwhile, to be eligible to study for a degree, you’ll need three A-levels, including one in biology or human biology, alongside GCSEs in English and maths. Prospective students for the foundation degree or diploma will require two A-levels. However, a nationally recognized dental nursing qualification can sometimes replace an A-level.
Some institutions welcome graduates with a minimum of a 2:2 or above in a science or healthcare subject. The admission requirements vary, so you want to check with individual institutions for their specific requirements.
To get a place on the course, applicants usually need to demonstrate that they’re aware of the role of a dental hygienist. Consider consulting with a local dental surgeon to see if you can work shadow a dental hygienist to get an idea of the work. You may also opt to work as a dental nurse or volunteer in some other way.
The course would include a mix of academic study and clinical work to help you build practical experience for your graduation and post-school experience.
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Skills You Need as a Dental Hygienist
Beyond the academic certification, dental hygienists require other skills to succeed in their profession, including
- Effective listening and motivational skills are especially important when advising patients on building and maintaining healthy oral hygiene and diet.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly for explaining treatments to patients in a reassuring manner while advising them on how to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
- Compassion while engaging patients of all ages
- A caring demeanor with an interest in helping others
- A friendly, confident, and professional demeanor that allows them to engage with patients and colleagues effectively
- Excellent communication skills for maintaining safe records of patients’ medical history
- Good eyesight and steady hands for executing precise dental work
- The ability to maintain concentration over long periods
- The ability to work excellently either independently or on a team
Who Pays Dental Hygienists?
Besides answering the question, “How much does a dental hygienist make?” how about checking the potential sources of these estimated salaries and who your potential employers could be should you choose this vocation?
Dental hygienists are typically employed by
- Community dental services: These services ensure that everyone has access to dental care. Here, the hygienist could work in hospitals, specialist health centers, and mobile clinics, as well as visit nursing homes, care homes, and domestic households.
- General dental practices: Here’s where the most qualified dental hygienists work full-time or part-time, providing NHS or private treatments to patients.
- Dental hospitals: Dental hygienists join a team of other professionals that cover all aspects of dental care, ranging from orthodontics to oral surgery and children’s dentistry.
- Private companies in industry: Here, dental hygienists provide dental care to employees and other persons affiliated with the organization.
- Defense dental services: Hygienists also serve at locations in the UK or overseas with the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy.
Conclusion: How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make Around Me?
Dental hygienists play a vital role within the dental healthcare system via varying clinical and health responsibilities. When they’re not educating or motivating patients in caring for their teeth and gums, they’re providing treatments to prevent oral problems or offering oral hygiene and dietary advice.
The annual salary of a dental hygienist varies based on the individual’s location, expertise, and employer. However, the perspective in this article can be a helpful perspective on the privileges (and accompanying responsibilities) that come with being a dental hygienist.
