Is The Dental Hygiene Salary 2011 Worth It?
The dental hygiene salary 2011 is pegged between $32,100 to $83,860. The range is pretty wide, but even those in the allied health care industry will admit it is one of the most attractive compensations around. The even bigger lure is your ability to earn as much even doing part time work.
Full Pay For Part Time Work
Unlike most jobs that require full time employment to earn a full pay, the dental hygienist salary is rewarding even while just working two to three times per week. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of these professionals are employed part-time.
Yet it is the flexibility of the work hours that contributes to their being able to earn lucrative salaries. Because it is not uncommon for a dental hygienist to serve more than one dental clinic at a time, and in fact many do hold more than one job.
The increase in number of patients coming in for routine dental cleaning and check-up has boosted the requirement for more skilled workers. And with a clientele that continues to grow, it is now wonder the dental hygiene salary 2011 is at the level it's at.
Plus Commissions
Today, there is emphasis on preventive health care. And studies have shown that dental examinations can identify symptoms of chronic diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis and even HIV. So patients are encouraged to come in for regular oral health care sessions not just to care for their teeth and gums but also prevent other systemic diseases.
Bulk of the business of dental offices or dentists in private practice comes from the routine health care service. That's cleaning of plaque and tartar, applying flouride, polishing the teeth and checking on the overall health of the mouth, including gums and tongue.
Dentists prefer to leave the routine and simple tasks to a dental hygienist and hire one or two to do the job. This way, they will be free to focus on actual procedures and more complex treatments that only licensed dentists can perform for their patients.
With a steady stream of people coming in for regular preventive oral health care services, clinics enjoy a solid client base. This is enough motivation for dentists and medical offices to provide the dental hygiene pros -- who take on majority of these jobs -- with commissions each time they are able to meet income goals.
Repeat business comes with a competent staff. A good dental hygienist on board, whether on part time or full time basis, will build loyalty among patients. And the hourly dental hygiene salary 2011 of even just $17 per hour, plus commissions, is a small price to pay.
Get The Best Training
How do you take advantage of the many opportunities available for a dental hygienist? Find dental hygienist schools that will offer you the best kind of training that will make you ready to jump in for jobs that need your skills.
You can choose from several programs like an associate or bachelor's degree. If you want to be the beat out the competition, find one that gives a lot of opportunities to practice hands on.
California, Texas and Pennsylvania are listed the top states that pay the most for dental hygienists employed in these areas. The dental hygienist salary 2011 in these states range from $23.87 to $49.49 per hour.
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