Best Careers: Dental Hygienist

The rundown:

As a dental hygienist, your daily adversary is the plaque that lines unsuspecting patients' teeth. In your job, you'll clean teeth and gums, look for oral abnormalities, and take X-rays where necessary. You'll probably work in a dental office, and most of your patients will be coming in for a routine cleaning. In addition to employing a number of tools to examine and clean their teeth, you will teach them about oral hygiene. Hygienists often work very closely with dentists and can expect to interact with several patients per shift, so strong social skills are a plus—especially since you'll be doing most of the talking.

[See a list of The 50 Best Careers.]

The outlook:

This is a growing field with plenty of opportunity. In 2008, hygienists held 174,000 jobs, according to the Labor Department, and by 2018 that number is expected to climb to 237,000, or 36 percent—much higher than the average forecasted for all professions. While demand for dental care is expected to increase, the explosion of the hygienist occupation is, in part, propelled by a newer generation of dentists, who are more likely than some of their older predecessors to employ hygienists. That said, given a tight job market, some hygienists (especially those just starting out) complain that jobs are becoming tougher to find. Outside of the traditional jobs, dental hygienists may find a number of opportunities in the teaching field.

Money:

Dental hygienists may be paid hourly or by salary. Either way, expect to make around $32 per hour. On the lower end, if you're just starting out, wages can be about $21 per hour. The best-paid dental hygienists make around $44 per hour. Median annual earnings in 2009 were about $67,000.

Upward mobility:

With a bachelor's or master's degree, you can find a career in fields including teaching, research, marketing, and consumer advocacy.

Activity level:

Medium. You will see a lot of patients and will constantly be on your feet. While the work doesn't appear to be very physically exerting, it involves repetitive motions that have been linked to high incidences of carpal tunnel syndrome and to musculoskeletal pain.

[See a list of the best healthcare careers.]

Stress level:

Average. You will have a fairly steady routine, which helps keep stress levels down. Also, since shift scheduling is flexible, you can work the hours that best fit your schedule. But office dynamics vary widely, so your experience will largely depend on the quality of the dentists you work with, as well as the patients you treat.

Education and preparation:

Most of the 300 or so accredited dental hygiene programs grant associate's degrees. After graduation, you'll need to pass written and clinical exams and become licensed. While some programs offer bachelor's or master's degrees, those are largely necessary for research or teaching positions. Most hygienist jobs are in doctors' offices, and more advanced degrees are rarely required.

Real advice from real people about landing a job as a dental hygienist:

In a shaky economy, dental hygienist jobs can be tough to find. Caryn Loftis-Solie, a registered dental hygienist and president of the American Dental Hygienists' Association, says that job seekers should set themselves apart. "You need to present a very professional face," she says. Offer to do a "working interview" to showcase your skills and interact with prospective employers and their staff. Loftis-Solie also says it's time to get creative about where you're willing to work. Hygienists are migrating to jobs outside of private dental offices—in hospitals, nursing homes, school-based programs, and other areas. "I think dentistry in general is feeling the crunch as much as any industry, but there are opportunities," she says.

Suggested job searches: Hygienist jobs | Dental Assistant jobs | Medical Technician jobs | Dentist jobs