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Clinical
Dental Hygienist
Clean schedules, clean teeth, out the door at five.
Typical pay
$60k-$105k
How you get in
2-year associate degree + license
Outlook
Stable
Hygienists clean teeth, take x-rays and screen for oral disease. Known for strong pay relative to the schooling and unusually predictable hours.
A day in the life
- 7:45aSet up the operatory, review charts
- 8:00aFirst cleaning and perio charting
- 10:00aX-rays and oral cancer screening
- 12:00pLunch, actually off the clock
- 1:00pBack-to-back cleanings
- 5:00pSterilize, done for the day
How to get in
Associate degree (the standard route)
Duration
2-3 years including prerequisites
Cost
$8,000-$30,000
Credential
RDH license — national board plus a clinical exam
- Complete prerequisites — anatomy, chemistry, microbiology
- Get into an accredited hygiene program (seats are limited and competitive)
- Finish coursework and supervised clinical hours
- Pass the national board and your regional clinical exam
Bachelor's degree
Duration
4 years
Cost
$40,000-$100,000+
Credential
RDH license, same exams
- Enter a four-year hygiene program
- Complete the same clinical requirements plus research and public health coursework
- Pass the national board and clinical exam
- Opens teaching, corporate and public health roles the associate route does not
Dental assistant first
Duration
1 year assisting, then the hygiene program
Cost
$2,000-$6,000 for assisting, then program cost
Credential
RDH license
- Train as a dental assistant and work chairside
- Use the experience to strengthen a competitive hygiene application
- Complete the hygiene program
- Pass the national board and clinical exam
What people love
- · Great pay for a 2-year degree
- · Predictable hours
- · Part-time is normal
What wears people down
- · Repetitive work
- · Wrist and neck strain
- · Limited advancement