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.
SOC: 29-1292.00
Common Job Titles
Dental Hygienist
Hygienist
Licensed Dental Hygienist
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
Hands-onPerform oral prophylaxis procedures including scaling and polishing using ultrasonic scalers, hand scalers, and dental polishers in clinical settings.
Proficient
KnowledgeAssess patient oral health status and periodontal conditions using periodontal probes and diagnostic imaging to identify disease and risk factors.
Proficient
Hands-onOperate dental radiographic equipment including digital and panoramic x-ray systems following radiation safety protocols and infection control standards.
Proficient
KnowledgeEvaluate radiographic images and clinical findings to detect caries, periodontal disease, and oral pathology under dentist supervision.
Proficient
KnowledgeDevelop individualized treatment plans and patient education strategies synthesizing clinical data, patient history, and evidence-based practice guidelines.
Proficient
MindsetIntegrate patient-centered care principles with infection control and safety protocols while managing anxious patients and maintaining professional boundaries.
Proficient
MindsetAdvocate for preventive oral health practices and treatment compliance through motivational interviewing and culturally sensitive communication.
Proficient
MindsetEngage patients in oral health education and preventive care discussions addressing individual needs, concerns, and barriers to compliance.
Developing
Hands-onExecute fluoride treatments and topical anesthetic administration following established clinical protocols to manage patient comfort and disease prevention.
Developing
KnowledgeApply knowledge of dental anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology when documenting clinical findings and making referral recommendations.
Developing
KnowledgeAnalyze periodontal charting data and oral health trends using dental clinical records software to monitor patient progress over time.
Developing
Hands-onCalibrate dental instruments and sterilization equipment maintaining infection control standards and equipment functionality in the clinical environment.
Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Dental Hygienists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
219,070
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $66,470. 25th percentile: U.S. $80,060. 50th percentile: U.S. $94,260. 75th percentile: U.S. $102,920. 90th percentile: U.S. $120,060. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$66,470
10% of workers earn the following or more
$120,060
Workers on average earn
$93,890
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Medicine and Dentistry4.6/5
Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
Psychology3.0/5
English Language2.8/5
Education and Training2.6/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
