Dental Hygenist?

Question

I was thinking about looking into going to school to become a dental hygenist. Can anyone give me more information about how much they make and what it is exactly that they do? (Other than clean people's teeth...I already know that)...

Thanks!!!

And how do they differ from dental assistants?

Answer 1

Assistants take x-rays and assist the doctor.....hand him the tools and clean up the operatory between patients. The Hygenists clean teeth, do some scaling (getting rid of tarter and stains on the teeth). Good luck....i think a hygenist is one of the best 2 year degrees available. THe salary is 50-60K per year.....it's comparable to that of a speech pathologist (my profession, and i have a master's degree!) Good luck

Answer 2

HELLO,
AS FAR AS THEIR SALARY, THIS DEPENDS MUCH N THE OFFICE. MOST PAY PER HOUR WORKED AND IT'S A RANGE FROM $30-45 PER HOUR.
HYGIENISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING TEETH AND GUMS CLEAN WHICH MAY INVOLVE A SIMPLE OR Scaling AND CURETTAGE OF THE TEETH. THEY ALSO EDUCATE PATIENTS ON HOW TO PROPERLY CARE OF THEIR MOUTH. THEY ALSO HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE X-RAYS AND FOLLOW STANDARDS OF INFECTION CONTROL. OTHER DUTIES MAY INVOLVE FOLLOWUP DENTAL APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING AND VARIOUS OTHER
DUTIES ACCORDING TO THAT OFFICE.

Answer 3

they make about 60K a year
http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_nationalrangebell.asp?jobcode=HC07000037&error=1&jobtitle=Dental%20Hygienist&narrowcode=HC02&narrowdesc=Healthcare%20--%20Technicians&yearsofexp=&#makeitloc