What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases, and provide preventive dental care and education. They work closely with dentists to deliver comprehensive oral health services. Dental hygienists play a vital role in helping patients maintain healthy teeth and gums through routine cleanings and personalized care plans.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Hygienist, Licensed Dental Hygienist, Pediatric Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
Dental Hygienist Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a dental hygienist include:
- Remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth using scaling instruments, ultrasonic devices, and polishing tools.
- Examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, and oral cancer.
- Take and develop dental radiographs (X-rays) for use in diagnosing dental conditions and treatment planning.
- Apply preventive materials such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants to protect tooth enamel.
- Educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, including brushing, flossing, and dietary choices.
- Document patient treatment plans, clinical findings, and progress notes in dental practice software.
- Screen patients for health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may affect oral health.
- Administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide as permitted by state regulations.
- Maintain and sterilize dental instruments and equipment following infection control guidelines.
- Collaborate with dentists to develop individualized treatment plans and recommend follow-up care schedules.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a dental hygienist, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Dental scaling and root planing
- Radiography and imaging interpretation
- Patient education and motivation
- Infection control and sterilization
- Dental charting and documentation
- Detail-oriented manual dexterity
- Chairside communication skills
- Knowledge of periodontal assessment
Education and Training
Dental hygienists must earn an associate degree in dental hygiene from an accredited program, though many choose to pursue a bachelor or master degree for expanded career opportunities. Programs typically take three years to complete and include coursework in anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology, and clinical practice. Graduates must pass both the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a state or regional clinical licensing exam. Most states also require continuing education credits to maintain licensure.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $83,570 - $108,480 per year, with a median of $98,100.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Dental Hygienists.
Ongoing research linking oral health to overall health continues to increase demand for preventive dental services. As the population ages and retains more natural teeth, the need for hygienists in both general and specialty dental practices will stay high. Part-time and flexible scheduling options make this an attractive career for those seeking work-life balance.
Dental Hygienist Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $74,880 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $83,570 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $98,100 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $108,480 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $126,050 |
Highest-Paying States for Dental Hygienists
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are District of Columbia ($137,220), Alaska ($132,690), Washington ($131,160), California ($124,930), Oregon ($122,080). Pay is lowest in West Virginia ($73,840), Mississippi ($67,280), Alabama ($61,160).
Median pay in all 50 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,160 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Arizona | $101,010 |
| Arkansas | $86,760 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Connecticut | $100,690 |
| Delaware | $98,910 |
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Florida | $91,980 |
| Georgia | $95,490 |
| Hawaii | $97,570 |
| Idaho | $94,650 |
| Illinois | $96,670 |
| Indiana | $92,330 |
| Iowa | $84,010 |
| Kentucky | $78,830 |
| Louisiana | $85,240 |
| Maine | $97,680 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| Massachusetts | $100,640 |
| Michigan | $83,790 |
| Minnesota | $103,970 |
| Mississippi | $67,280 |
| Missouri | $92,750 |
| Montana | $98,440 |
| Nebraska | $92,580 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| New Hampshire | $101,250 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New Mexico | $95,940 |
| New York | $106,130 |
| North Carolina | $97,850 |
| North Dakota | $90,530 |
| Ohio | $88,990 |
| Oklahoma | $97,580 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,610 |
| Rhode Island | $86,910 |
| South Carolina | $84,340 |
| South Dakota | $92,210 |
| Tennessee | $84,640 |
| Texas | $99,240 |
| Utah | $91,120 |
| Vermont | $97,470 |
| Virginia | $102,950 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| West Virginia | $73,840 |
| Wisconsin | $96,540 |
| Wyoming | $85,130 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as dental hygienists about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 100% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 100% use their hands on tools, objects or controls for more than half the day
- 100% wear safety gear such as gloves, safety glasses or a hard hat every day
- 97% are exposed to disease or infection every day
- 83% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 73% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 71% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 75% |
| Professional degree | 13% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 9% |
Tools and Software Dental Hygienists Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy helping, teaching or caring for people as well as hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness.
Knowledge areas used most: Medicine and Dentistry, Customer and Personal Service, Psychology, English Language, Education and Training.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Dental Hygienist Job
- Job application letter sample
- How to write the skills section of a resume
- How to describe your work experience
- Job interview tips
- Interview thank-you note
The Job Explorer never charges candidates any money. If someone asks you to pay to apply for a dental hygienist job or to get hired, treat it as a warning sign.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 29-1292.00 (Dental Hygienists). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.