How to become a Dental Hygienist
Official title: Dental Hygienists
Also called: Dental Hygienist, Hygienist, Licensed Dental Hygienist, Pediatric Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
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.
Main tasks
- Record and review patient medical histories.
- Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- Expose and develop x-ray film.
- Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
How to become one
Dental hygienists typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
Typical education to start: Associate's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
- Licence: A licence is required in 47 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $98,100 a year The middle half earn $83,570 to $108,480.
- About 225,300 people work in this job now, and about 243,200 are projected by 2035. (+8%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a Dental Hygienist?
Dental hygienists typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
How much does a Dental Hygienist earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $98,100 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $83,570 to $108,480.
Is a Dental Hygienist a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 225,300 to about 243,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Dental Hygienist?
Not always. 40% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Associate's degree.
Will AI change the work of a Dental Hygienist?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.