What are the pros and cons of being a dental hygienist?

• Schooling and training. As a dental hygienist, your schooling and training can be minimal compared to other professions in the field of dentistry and the healthcare industry in general.

  Most schools in the United States take only two to three years to complete, which is a much faster path than, say, a dentist or even a nurse. Dental hygienist school enables you to finish quickly finish and start your career faster.

• Competitive salaires. Most dental hygienists can expect reasonably competitive salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, dental hygienists earn an average salary of $77,090 per year when working full-time, while part-time dental hygienists earn an average salary of $38,790 per year.

  There are several factors that can affect your salary as a dental hygienist, such as location and demand in that particular area.

• Job outlook. The demand for dental hygienists is high. This is due to an aging population that is in need of dental care, as well as some other factors. Job growth for dental hygienists is expected to increase by 11% from now until the year 2030.

  This is more than the average job growth for all professions. Being in demand means you can move elsewhere to provide your services if you like, and you will have clout in salary negotiations.

  In addition, you can work in a variety of environments. Most people think dental hygienists only work in dentist's offices; however, this is not true. Some work in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, other medical facilities, or even private homes.

• You don't have to work holidays. Many healthcare professionals have to work at least some holidays, certain ones more than others, but a dental hygienist always has national holidays off. This means you can always expect to spend important holidays with your family and friends.

• No night shifts. Dissimilar from other healthcare roles as well as the fact that as a dental hygienist, you do not have to work night shifts. Nearly all dentist offices keep traditional business hours, like 8am or 9am to 4pm or 5pm. This helps you to keep a proper sleep schedule and is an overall advantage for your own health and wellness.

• Flexible hours. As was mentioned earlier, you can choose to work part-time as a dental hygienist and still earn a decent living. This gives you the opportunity for more personal time doing things you like or spending it with family and friends.

• Career advancement. After becoming a dental hygienist, you have the option of returning to school and getting a bachelor's degree or even a master's degree. These degrees can open you up to higher-level roles in the industry that have significant salary increases.

Cons:

• You need formal education and training to be a dental hygienist. The first step you must take if you want to become a dental hygienist is to complete an accredited dental hygiene program in your state.

  Every state requires dental hygienists to possess a license, and some states require an associate degree before you receive it. Most dental hygienists choose to complete an Associate degree program which can be completed in two years.

• Paying for dental hygienist school. The cost of your schooling will depend on several different factors, such as what type of degree you choose to pursue, where you get your education, financial assistance, and what area of the country you plan to work.

  According to a Dental Hygienists' Association survey, the average cost of becoming a dental hygienist with an associate's degree is $22,692, a bachelor's degree is $36,382, and a master's degree is $30,421.

• You need a license to work legally. In most states, you must get a license to work legally as a dental hygienist. To do this, you must pass a written exam. However, other costs and requirements for becoming a dental hygienist vary from state to state.

  You must meet the specific requirements provided by your state in order to be eligible to gain a dental hygienist license. Some of these requirements include clinical hours, specific coursework, and passing an exam.

• Getting a dental hygienist job in another state isn't always easy. You may have a license in one state, but another will not recognize that license. So if you move, you may have to go through the state licensure process all over again.

  Different states have different requirements for licensure, making it sometimes difficult to relocate and continue to practice in a smooth transition.

• You may have to work weekends. Some dental facilities are closed on the weekend, but many remain open because the weekend is the available time for many of their clients. This means you'll likely have to do weekend shifts to a certain degree in your career as a dental hygienist.

• The work doesn't provide a lot of variety. One of the biggest cons of being a dental hygienist is the repetition of the same sort of work every day. If you are someone who enjoys repetitive and predictable work, this may not be a con, but many can find it hard to not get bored being a dental hygienist.

  This can also lead to a lack of focus when performing work and might result in mistakes. Make sure you are okay with the particular daily grind of a dental hygienist before embarking on this career path.

• You might not receive employee benefits. This holds true mainly for those that choose to work part-time or can not find a full-time dental hygienist position.

  In these instances, you will likely not receive essential benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and some others. Employers are not required to provide these benefits to part-time dental hygienists; however, some still may do so.