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.
According to the US Department of Labor, there are 206,100 people employed as dental hygienists in the United States. The median annual salary is $77,100. Entry level employees earn approximately $54,200 per year and senior employees earn approximately $104,420 per year.
Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.