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Being a dental hygienist offers great financial opportunities, while allowing you to remain close to home. Despite the high popularity of the dental hygienist profession, many people are still unaware of what exactly it entails. This short report will show you what you should expect when considering this career option.
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. As a result, the demand for all dental services, including those performed by hygienists, will increase.
Dental Hygienist Salary KY
The average annual salary earned by dental hygienists in Kentucky is $56,450. A highly competent dental hygienist with years of experience has the potential to earn close to $70,000 a year or more. A further breakdown of salaries in Kentucky is:
A 2013 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report indicates that there are 183,380 dental hygienists employed in the US. Of these, 1,980 practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky where they are licensed and monitored by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry.
- 10th Percentile Annual Salary – $42,540
- 25th Percentile Annual Salary – $49,250
Salaries differ depending on education, experience and location. The average annual dental hygienist salaries in nonmetropolitan areas of Kentucky are (highest to lowest):
- West Central Kentucky – $58,270
- Western Kentucky – $56,580
- South Central Kentucky – $47,800
- Eastern Kentucky – $45,540
Career Outlook for Dental Hygienists in Kentucky
The occupational outlook for dental hygienists is excellent. The government expects the number of jobs to increase 33 percent by 2018. This is good news for the roughly 154 students who graduate each year from one of Kentucky’s six dental hygiene schools which are conveniently located in cities across the state, including Bowling Green, Henderson, Lexington, Louisville and Paducah.
Most dental hygienists in Kentucky and elsewhere work in the private practice offices of dentists. Nationally, 183,380 dental hygienists work in dental offices followed by a distant second place of 2,260 who are employed in the offices of physicians. Smaller numbers of dental hygienists work for employment services and outpatient clinics. As might be expected, private practice dentists pay the highest salaries, followed by outpatient clinics, private practice physicians and employment services in that order.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Kentucky by City
Cincinnati-Middletown (Tricity) and Evansville, IN-KY are the two cities that have the highest average salaries in Kentucky. Cincinnati pays dental hygienists roughly $65,970, and Evansville has an average salary of $60,930. Although these cities have the highest average salaries in Kentucky, only Cincinnati is in close alignment with the national average. Owensboro has the lowest average salary in Kentucky ($51,380).
Dental Hygienist Salary in Kentucky by Area
Although all four major regions in Kentucky pay less than the national average salary, two of them pay significantly more than the others: the West Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area ($58,270) and the West Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area ($56,580). These two regions likely are more desirable for dental hygienists seeking work than the South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area, which has an average salary of $47,800, and the East Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area, with an average salary of $45,540.
The average salary of a dental hygienist varies by state, though the patterns that emerge are interesting. The West Coast occupies the top three spots, with Alaska No. 1, California No. 2 and Washington No. 3. Interestingly, No. 4 is New Mexico, a state which has a median household income of just $46,718, the 44th out of 50 states. Maryland rounds out the top five.
Here’s a list of the top-10 states in order of average incomes for dental hygienists:
| Rank | State | 2017 Mean Annual Wage |
| 1 | Alaska | $107,190 |
| 2 | California | $97,420 |
| 3 | Washington | $91,070 |
| 4 | New Mexico | $89,740 |
| 5 | Maryland | $85,890 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $85,500 |
| 7 | Arizona | $85,470 |
| 8 | Nevada | $84,110 |
| 9 | Oregon | $82,850 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $82,290 |
Oregon, which ranks No. 9, has seen an impressive growth in dental hygienist incomes. From 2016 to 2017, dental hygienist salaries grew by 5.2%, from $78,720 to $82,850. Meanwhile, No. 1 Alaska saw a massive boost in dental hygienist incomes from 2015 to 2016, rising by 21.9%, from $84,430 to $102,890
how to become a dental hygienist
1. First, complete a high school diploma or equivalent
A high school diploma is needed to apply to an associate or bachelor’s degree program. Coursework in biology, anatomy, physiology and other science specializations can help prepare you for a dental program.
2. Second, choose an accredited dental hygienist school and complete an associate degree
While there are many dental hygienist programs to choose from, you want to choose one that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The completion of all educational requirements in a dental hygienist program will typically take between two and four years. Students can expect to take coursework in anatomy, physiology, immunology and pathology. Toward the end of the program, students will be expected to complete on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a licensed hygienist.
3. Next, complete a bachelor’s degree (optional)
Some dental hygienists may choose to pursue employment after completing an associate degree. Others may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Some aspiring dental hygienists may even go on to achieve a master’s degree to work in a research or educational manner.
4. Finally, obtain national and state licensing
Licensure with your state and the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is required to work as a dental hygienist. The test is made up of two parts with a total of 350 multiple-choice questions. You need a score of at least 75 to pass. State tests vary depending on the state in which you work. The successful completion of both exams will earn you a Registered Dental Hygienist license.
Education levels for dental hygienists
While you can work in some dental hygienist careers with an associate degree, some students will complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Each type of education level dictates the specific tasks and job titles that you qualify for, which include:
Associate degree
An Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene prepares you for the job duties of a general dental hygienist. With an associate degree and licensure, you are eligible to work in most private dental offices.
Bachelor’s degree
A Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene prepares you to work with dental specializations like in a community health clinic or in a school setting. Earning a bachelor’s degree can also make you a more competitive applicant when applying for open dental hygienist positions.
Master’s degree
Dental hygienists who want to teach and train other students to work in the dental industry will need a master’s degree. Dental hygienists who pursue a master’s degree can also work in careers as a prevention specialist or developing local community health outreach programs. Master’s level dental hygienists may also be involved in research studies.
what does a dental hygienist do
The Key Responsibilities of a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists play an important role in patients’ health and well-being. By supporting the dentist and performing certain key duties like the ones outlined below, they form an integral piece of the dental hygiene puzzle for most patients.
1. Reviewing Dental and Health History
Before any dental work is done by either the hygienist or the dentist, the hygienist must conduct a medical history. This review is a critical tool that hygienists use to:
- Understand a patient’s previous dental work and medical conditions
- Understand any changes to overall health, prescription medications, or allergies
- Assess any oral health risks
- Prevent medical emergencies
The information gathered during this history will be used by the hygienist and dentist and inform the patient of a personalized dental treatment plan.
2. Screening Patients
In addition to collecting a dental health history, hygienists also actively screen patients for tooth decay and oral disease prior to the dentist performing any work.
This process may only take a few minutes to complete, but it’s an extremely important part of the process. By taking a quick inventory of head, neck, and mouth, it’s possible for a hygienist to identify problems before they spiral out of control.
3. Conducting Dental Cleanings
The part of a dental hygienist’s job with which you are probably most familiar is the dental cleaning.
Hygienists use a variety of tools and techniques to remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth, improving their patients’ dental health by preventing cavities and tooth loss while simultaneously helping them achieve the bright, beautiful smile that they want, while helping the patient to maintain their overall health.
4. Taking Dental X-rays
Dental x-rays play a pivotal role in preventative care. Hygienists take these x-rays so that they can spot problems in the early stages, and treat them before they have a chance to develop into more serious issues. Dental x-rays can also help the dentist detect cavities, gum disease, oral infections, and even some types of tumors.
How often x-rays are performed will vary from patient to patient based on their dental health, whether or not they exhibit signs of dental problems, their age, and their risk for oral disease. That being said, they’re a fairly common part of working as a dental hygienist.
5. Applying Preventive Care
After performing the cleaning, hygienists take a more proactive approach by educating the patient in preventive oral care. Precautionary treatments like fluoride and sealant application play an important role in promoting dental health between appointments.
Fluoride treatments are important because fluoride strengthens teeth and fortifies them against acid erosion. Fluoride not only helps prevent tooth decay, but it can also reverse early decay.
Sealants are helpful, particularly for children, in controlling decay in certain areas of the mouth. A dental sealant is an acrylic-like material that helps protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
6. Teaching Patients Good Dental Hygiene
Patient education is a fundamental aspect of a dental hygienist’s job.
By teaching their patients how to best care for their mouth, they are effectively serving as public health ambassadors. Dental hygienists instruct patients of all ages on how to properly brush and floss their teeth, and also stress the importance of doing so. They may discuss the link between diet and oral health and make recommendations to help patients select toothbrushes and other oral care devices.
7. Helping Patients Improve and Maintain Good Dental Health
In line with the importance of patient education, dental hygienists help patients improve and maintain good dental health by promoting healthy habits and behaviors. Equipped with the knowledge of proper techniques, patients are more likely to maintain good dental health.
8. Documenting Care and Treatment as It’s Performed (and Communicating with the Dentist)
Hygienists serve as a bridge between the dentist and the patient. After cleaning a patient’s teeth and screening for oral disease, the hygienist reports their findings to the dentist. The hygienist preps patients for their visit with the dentist by educating the patient about their findings and outlining potential treatment options that the dentist may recommend or pursue. They will also review areas of concern that will be further addressed by the dentist.
Just as important as the actual care and treatment that a dental hygienist provides is the documentation of that care and treatment. Dental hygienists are key players in creating and maintaining dental records, as they keep track of everything that is discussed and performed during your visit.
A dental hygienist has several main responsibilities:
- Clean and remove plaque, tartar, and stains from a patient’s teeth
- Perform and develop dental X-rays
- Conduct a preliminary patient exam and assist a dentist as needed
- Administer local anesthetics to patients prior to their procedures
- Apply fluorides and sealants to a patient’s teeth
- Document patient treatment plans and overall care
- Assess a patient’s oral health
- Educate patients on good oral hygiene
- Communicate with dentists regarding dental findings on their patients
- Use a variety of hand, power, and ultrasonic tools to perform their job duties
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