Dental hygienists: salaries and career paths

The median salary for dental hygienists is about $87,500 — ranging from $54,500 to $123,500, depending on the state — and six U.S. states have median salaries of over $100,000, according to a report from TheStreet.

Following a two-year associate’s degree in dental hygiene from an accredited community college and a national and state license, dental hygienists can work in dental offices taking X-rays, performing diagnostic screenings, applying fluoride and sealants to teeth, removing plaque from teeth, educating patients on effective oral hygiene practices and performing scaling and root planning to treat periodontal disease.

More tenured dental hygienists and those working in cities with high costs of living may have higher salaries.

The report concluded that dental hygiene education can lead to a lucrative career in a growing field.

Read more: TheStreet

The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.