Skip to content

Dental Hygienists

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical (29-1292)
Bright Outlook

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.

At a Glance

Dental Hygienists earns a median of $94,260/yr with +7.0% projected growth. Typical entry: Associate's degree. Top skills: Dependability, Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships, Medicine and Dentistry.

Median Annual Wage

$94,260/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+7.0%

Annual Openings

15

Typical Education

Associate's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (3)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.8
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.5
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.5

Knowledge (2)

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

4.6
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.9

Abilities (9)

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.9
Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

3.9
Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

3.9
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.9
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.8
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.8
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.3
Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

3.3
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.3

Technology (4)

Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Henry Schein Dentrix

Category: Medical software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (29)

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.6
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

4.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.3
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.2
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.1
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.0
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

4.0
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.9
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

3.9
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.9
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.8
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

3.8
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

3.8
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.7
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.7
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

3.6
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.6
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.5
Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

3.5
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

3.5
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.4
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.4
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.4
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

3.4
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.3
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.3

Work Styles (3)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Attention to Detail

A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

4.3
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to build these skills?

Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Dental Hygienists.

Get Started Free