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Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists clean teeth and teach clients how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

The primary goal of dental hygiene is preventative care. They use dental instruments to clean plaque and various stains from teeth, in preparation for the dentist.

Dental Hygienists are in the Health Science career cluster and the Therapeutic Services pathway.

Quick Facts

Wages:

 Well above the statewide median

$34.18 / hour    Read more about wages

Outlook:

 Percent Growth   24.8%

Well above statewide average    Read more about outlook

Education & Training:

 Associate degree is common.

On the Job:

 Work Activities
  • Clean patient's teeth using dental instruments.
  • Feel and visually examine gums and under chin for signs of disease.
  • Update charts to track patients' oral health.
Read more about the job

Assess your skills

Job Title Examples:

 Hygienist,  Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), 
See more job title examples

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.