How Come The Dental Hygienist Salary Is High?

Compared to the salary earned by entry-level medical professionals in other fields, the dental hygienist salary for entry-level hygienists is higher. Each year, thousands undergo professional training in order to become an oral hygienist. In some states, the number of these professionals is very evident.

So what job responsibilities does an oral hygienist have? Knowing this will give an idea as to why the dental hygienist salary is high. An oral hygienist is responsible for checking thoroughly the gums and teeth of a patient, finding abnormalities, infections, or any diseases in them. For this, he uses a variety of devices like ultrasonic devices, rotary devices etc. In many cases, he uses an x-ray machine to take pictures so he can have a better understanding of a patient's oral condition. If a patient has periodontal disease, the oral hygienist plans and scales the treatment.

An oral hygienist has several duties to perform; the formal training they need to undergo and the exams they need to pass vary from state to state. In some states, oral hygienists can perform bigger tasks such as creating filling materials, administering anesthesia to patients, and doing dressings for patients with periodontal disease. In some states, oral hygienists are not allowed to do these things. So, depending on the laws of the state they are working in, these people carry out their duties, yet, most likely they are bound to differ from state to state.

The oral hygienist should take proper safety precautions while treating their patients, such as using safeguards to prevent spreading of the infections. In addition, oral hygienists are responsible for educating patients on the importance of oral health care and its influence on overall health. Oral hygienists need to explain to patients exactly what they should do to keep their teeth and gums in good condition. There is a direct link between diet and oral health, and oral hygienists need to explain this explicitly to patients if they're undertaking a preventative oral health care campaign.

Aside from the high dental hygienist salary, oral hygienists get to enjoy flexible work hours. As he might not have to put long hours in a single hospital alone, an oral hygienist can work for various dentists simultaneously on a part-time basis. Some qualified professionals tend to work as independent hygienists wherever state laws allow them and some charge on hourly-basis and commission basis as well. The reported median annual income that oral hygienists who undergo proper hygienist training earn is $68,000, which is a pretty good dental hygienist salary.

These days, dentists aren't the only option for people who have dental problems. Many see oral hygienists for their preventive health care needs. This is the reason oral hygienists are increasing in number and why the dental hygienist salary is going up. Oral hygienists are now regarded as an important player in the dentistry field, with many seeing the profession in a completely new light.

The dental hygienist salary that a hygienist earns depends on his educational qualifications and training. A person can't expect to be a successful oral hygienist unless his degree is from an accredited institute and he has completed proper hygienist training. There is fierce competition among oral hygienists today, with more and more people choosing a career as an oral hygienist. Every year, education programs and training facilities for hygienists are offered and made available.