Hygiene Jobs in IL, are there any other than Chicago?

I just moved to South Central IL from the Chicago area. I had a job in Rosemont but lost it while I was pregnant and on maternity leave. I tried applying at offices all over the Chicagoland area for about a year. In that time I only got 1 interview and no offers. I had to move south for financial reasons (mainly no money because of no employment). Does anyone know of anyone hiring in South Central or Southern IL? Help!! Do I have too much experience, is that even possible? I started as a dental assistant in 1995, became an office manager in 1996, certified as an EFDA in 2000, and graduated from Hygiene school in 2003.

Leah in Taylorville, Illinois said: I just moved to South Central IL from the Chicago area. I had a job in Rosemont but lost it while I was pregnant and on maternity leave. I tried applying at offices all over the Chicagoland area for about a year. In that time I only got 1 interview and no offers. I had to move south for financial reasons (mainly no money because of no employment). Does anyone know of anyone hiring in South Central or Southern IL? Help!! Do I have too much experience, is that even possible? I started as a dental assistant in 1995, became an office manager in 1996, certified as an EFDA in 2000, and graduated from Hygiene school in 2003.

Hi I don't know how far you live from Effigham but I thought I saw a job posted for that area. Good Luck.

Thanx, I saw that one too, but it was actually for Lexington which is about 2 hours from me.

Hi,

I just came back from McHenry county today. I just got my DH license in Nov. 2006. I sorely miss my family in Illinois. I think about moving back every time I visit. How hard is it to get a dental hygienist job? I am hoping maybe to move to Wonder Lake area. How much do hygienists make in this area? What are the hoops I have to jump through to obtain a dental hygiene license in the state of Illinois? Please let me know.

Sheila

Hi,

The job market for hygiene is ruff all over but Chicago seems to have a steady supply but lots of competion. Not sure about the area you want to move to but the north suburbs of chicago seem to always have adds in the paper or online. I'm sure as far as obtaining an Illinois license would be the same as most states, which is filling out the application and paying the fee. You can contact the Springfeild Licensure for more info 217-782-8556. As far as pay goes its right around 35 to 40 an hour. Good Luck Do you not like living in California and what is the job outlook there?

There are no jobs in Columbus, OH and i was thinking about moving to Carbondale, illinois. How is the job market around that area? I am training for the 2008 Olympics and my coach is located there. If anyone knows of any jobs or any connection can you help me. i am really desperate!

Hi,

Sorry can't help with any info on job situation that far south but good luck. What sport are you training for the Olympics? Nancy

Hello. thanks for responding. i am training for the hammer throw (track and field). alot of people do not know alot about this event but it sure is fun. I was an athlete at The Ohio State University and i actually now coach the girl thrower too. My junior year in college i went to Olympic Trials and did very good. But did not make the team. Hopely this time around it will be different.
Well, if you happen to hear of any jobs please contact.

thanks again

Keturah Lofton

Hi! I'm just getting back into the swing of things since my second baby. I've had great luck temping if that's something you'd be interested in. I'm in Woodstock, Il and the full time jobs are sparse. Best bet for me has been temping.

Hello,
I have worked as a Registered Dentla Hygienist for 3 years. I am planning on moving to Kankakee, Illinois with my boyfriend. I greaduated from an accredited dental hygiene school that is recognized by the ADA. I have successfully completed the National Board and have applied to do the NERB exam. I am having trouble finding information from the Illinois licensing department. Does anyone out there know what other hoops I have to just through to be licensed in the state of illinois?
Thank you for your time

THERE ARE 13 DENTAL HYGIENE SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS NOW. THE MARKET IS FLOODED AND THE ECONOMY IS NOT HELPING. DENTAL HYGIENE IS A CAREER THAT I LOVE BUT GOOD JOBS ARE HARD TO FIND. IT SEEMS THE ONLY OFFICES THAT ARE BUSY ARE IN MORE AFFLUENT AREAS.

CONSIDERING HEALTH RISKS AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE WE SHOULD BE BUSY.

WHAT IS THE ADHA OR THE IDHA DOING TO PROMOTE ARE PROFESSION?

IT SEEMS THE PUBLIC IS STRUGGLING JUST TO MAKE IT FROM PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

THE PUBLIC CAN NOT AFFORD MEDICAL INSURANCE LET ALONE DENTAL INSURANCE.

DENTISTRY IS BECOMING A SERVICE FOR THE ELITE.

THE POOR AND MIDDLE CLASS CAN'T AFFORD TREATMENT. SO THEY WILL NOT SEEK IT.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW FACTORS AFFECTING DENTAL HYGIENE EMPLOYMENT.

IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS TO HELP THE FUTURE OF DENTAL HYGIENE LET ME KNOW.

CURRENTLY I AM WORKING PART TIME IN NURSING FACILITIES AND 1-2 DAYS A WEEK IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

I DON'T WANT TO SEEM NEGATIVE BUT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

THANKS FOR LISTENING, PATTI Z RDH 630-677-0316

I just graduated from school this year. I am licensed in IL and IN. I can't seem to find any job offers. I am looking in south chicago and northwest indiana. I am registered with 4 temping agencys and they don't have anything. Does anyone know of any jobs in this area.

Thanks,
Katie

Hi Katie,

I also am having a hard time finding a job and I have been a hygienist for 14 years. If you do find a dentist that is hiring the hours are horrible (one day a week) or the office itself is not good. Good Luck! You might consider having a fall back career because hygiene anymore is over saturated.

I have ten years experience in Michigan in the affluent suburbs and have been out of work almost two years now.

The problem is ownership. We are owned by the Dentists and cannot open our own shops.

My nail tech makes more money than me since she opened her own shop.

My hair dresser makes more money than me by far. She showed me her tax return, net over 100K after expenses.

Someone needs to call Oprah and have her do a story on the RDH's that are actually prostitutes for pimp dentists.

They own all the 'territory' and there is nothing we can do about it.

Imagine all the people we could treat if we had our own little clinics with a couple of chairs and an autoclave and x-ray machine. The old laws have got to go.

I made a big mistake becoming an RDH.

SPAM

I agree that Dental Hygiene is a tough profession right now. I wish I had chosen theropy of nursing. I think the problem is too many of us and the amount we get paid. For some reason dentists and assistants seem to resent having us in the office.

Keturah! It's Melinda Joseph (although that's not my last name anymore). We played basketball and ran track together at ZHS!!! I didn't know you were a hygienist. I live in Chicago, I was here for 3 years then left for a year, but now I'm back. I have found that there are jobs in the city and surrounding areas, you just have to be willing to put the effort in to finding the right one. Good luck at the trials!!!

keturah lofton in Columbus, Ohio said: Hello. thanks for responding. i am training for the hammer throw (track and field). alot of people do not know alot about this event but it sure is fun. I was an athlete at The Ohio State University and i actually now coach the girl thrower too. My junior year in college i went to Olympic Trials and did very good. But did not make the team. Hopely this time around it will be different.
Well, if you happen to hear of any jobs please contact.

thanks again

Keturah Lofton

Help! I am in the north suburbs and am looking for a full time job. I have been in the same office for over 10 years as a hygienist and I am being phased out--with part time employees. If any one has any leads please let me know. Thanks!

I think if one of Oprah's producers spend an hour on this forum they would be sickened that RDH's have been reduced to begging for hours. The ADHA has no power so maybe we need to bring our plight directly to the people.

I totally agree with the Oprah idea. I'm sure there are other professions that are experiencing difficulties as well. Get something started. Maybe we could elaborate on the options hygienists have - like what other careers we are qualified for, where we can complete bachelor's degrees, maybe even some people who have moved into better careers from hygiene. This would make a great Oprah show! I'm going to check it out.

Bonnie - I think the hygienist being phased out is experiencing this situation because part-time hygienists don't get benefits and they are most likely not going to need a specific number of hours. My experience is that they want to call you in when they have patients and send you home when someone cancels. I have been called on the way to work and told to come in an hour later. Who puts up with that?

I submitted the idea to the show today. Everyone should do the same. Go to her site and submit it too make sure we are heard.

Thanks Nancy--After being there that long it stinks--and I am really going to miss my patients. Hopefully something will pop up!

MIKE AND DEBBIE, I HOPE WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO THE OPRAH SHOW.
I LOVE MY PROFESSION AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DENTAL DISEASE.
UNFORTUNATLY I WILL HAVE TO CHANGE PROFESSIONS IF I CANNOT FIND FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT SOON.
THE ECONOMY IS IS TERRIBLE AND HAS EFFECTED THE MIDDLE CLASS AND POOR.

COMPANIES KEEP CUTTING BENIFITS AND NO RAISES IN WAGES.

I HOPE EVERYONE IS GOING TO GET OUT AND VOTE IN 2008.

Patti,

Good luck. We need to send a message to Hilary Clinton too. She wants to fix health care. Independent hygienists in small towns that cannot support a dentist would be a great way to increase access at a substantially lower cost.

Think of how the dentists would have to lower their fees if they had to compete with hygienists practicing on their own.

That $20 I get for an hour after taxes at his office means I could charge $50 for a cleaning and still be making the same money at a great discount to the public.

For the cost of a salon haircut you could get your teeth cleaned and polished when ever you wanted, all with a health screening on top.

The possibilities are endless.

I already do all my own scheduling, charting, set up, tear down, sterilizing, insurance billing and recall by myself, why not just cut out the middle man and get the nation closer to erradicating dental diseases.

Are you listening presidential candidates?

To you guys in India...stay where you
are...the business you seek will come to India with the dollars......I simply can't
afford to get my teeth fixed......I have
to go to Bogota Colombia where dental
is less than 10% and of high quality.
I point my finger at the insurance companies with their deplorable insurance with a cap of 1000$ per year.
The arogant ___hole dentists are
as greedy as organized criminals. The
Whole American and Canadian dental
industry is a racket. In the years ahead foreign dental tourism is really going to knock out the legs of the
table of the US Canadian dental industry:))))))))

Go to India or Colombia....there is a lot
of work pick your hours. Dental tourism is a sviable choice for overpriced dental care

Hi

I will be taking classes at Harper college in palatine starting in January 2008. Looking for others doing the same.

Thanks

Sheila in El Cajon, California said: Hi,

I just came back from McHenry county today. I just got my DH license in Nov. 2006. I sorely miss my family in Illinois. I think about moving back every time I visit. How hard is it to get a dental hygienist job? I am hoping maybe to move to Wonder Lake area. How much do hygienists make in this area? What are the hoops I have to jump through to obtain a dental hygiene license in the state of Illinois? Please let me know.

Sheila

Hey there and Merry Christmas. The going rate there is 32-35 an hour. Don't take less unless you get great benefits.

Good Luck.

Hello,
I would steer clear of the Effingham job, unless it is not involved with the major chain dental office down there! (Won't mention names, but most are aware of this " corporation"!) TRy DAPS Dental Auxillary Proffesionals, they have a web page and lots of listings farther south of Chicago. Or call them and they can help you find at least temp work for now if the money is needed. Who knows, maybe you will find an office you like through them. It is a free service to you. Good luck.

Dear Sheila,
It is not hard at all to apply for your hygiene license in Illinois. You can call the department of regulation and they will send you a packet for transfering your information. Of course you will have to pay a hefty fee, but you being such a new graduate will have all your paperwork fresh at your fingertips still. :) Good luck!

These big fees need to be banned. There is no reason it should be anymore expensive than getting a driver's license in another state. The fee in michigan is very reasonable, while other states demand blood and urine from your first born to renew or gain a license.

How about these continuing ed courses that are shills for the drug and dental materials industry? It is a state mandated industry paid for my dental workers. The financial extortion needs to be ended for us to maintain our licenses. Where is the ADHA in ending the continuing ed fraud? How many of you know doctors that just show up for the certificate and only concentrate on the practice building or staff management courses. They love the tax and financial planning ones a lot more than the treatment ones, right? "How to terminate an employee without legal risk." Could not believe how full that course was. Standing room only.

I am a gp located in Palos Heights, il . One of my wonderful dental hygienist broke her wrist and will be out for probably 6 weeks. If interested in working Thursdays from 1-8 pm , let me know. Chrissteve1@earthlink.net

Katie in Chicago, Illinois said: I just graduated from school this year. I am licensed in IL and IN. I can't seem to find any job offers. I am looking in south chicago and northwest indiana. I am registered with 4 temping agencys and they don't have anything. Does anyone know of any jobs in this area.

Thanks,
Katie

Hi, I fell and broke my hand in october and my bosses would not let me come back to work after this. I was an employee for 18 years with full time benefits. (One must understand my old bosses sold the practice and new owners took over 2 years ago.) I was told they like temp hygienists better. I have been temping myself and can do fine but finding a full or even part time position these days is difficult. I think the ADHA needs to think about how many hygiene schools have opened up.

I'm working on a new organization for us here in D.C. I will be able to lobby the congress and business directly now.

The American public needs to know what we have to put up with to serve them the way we were trained to do.

Help is on the way.

I agree that there are now so many hygiene schools in Illinois and the Chicago area that the market is flooded with hygienists. I believe another factor is that there is only one dental school in Chicago, so fewer dentists and more hygienists is not good for hygienists. I also feel our government needs to think twice about issuing a work visa to someone from another country when we already have too many looking for work in this country.

The govenment is NOT issuing work visas for dental hygienists. Under the NAFTA agreement they will issue them to nurses, dentists, doctors, etc. but not to dental hygienists.

Debbie Vernon in Mokena, Illinois said: I agree that there are now so many hygiene schools in Illinois and the Chicago area that the market is flooded with hygienists. I believe another factor is that there is only one dental school in Chicago, so fewer dentists and more hygienists is not good for hygienists. I also feel our government needs to think twice about issuing a work visa to someone from another country when we already have too many looking for work in this country.

What if the government did the same thing to your ancestors and told them they couldn’t come here because there are still Americans looking for jobs? Maybe you are an American Indian and you came from America or maybe you are just being selfish I don’t know.

I am a Cherokee Indian. If we had known what the pilgrims were going to do to the country we would have wiped them all out when they landed.

Instead we gave them the benefit of the doubt and were decimated ourselves.

It is time to close the borders to all except those that go to college here, especially if the jobs are in short supply like in Hygiene.

Are you running short of patients in India and such? Nah. You just want our wages.

Stay where you are and make it better like we are trying to do.

Peace to all native born americans.

I have been a hygienist since May 07...working as a dental assistant part-time to keep busy. I have been trying to get a hygiene job since I graduated. I would say 70% of the people I graduated with don't have a job either. As far as I am concerned, I agree with Jennifer in Clinton Township, Michigan. I chose the wrong profession becoming a RDH.

keturah lofton in Columbus, Ohio said: Hello. thanks for responding. i am training for the hammer throw (track and field). alot of people do not know alot about this event but it sure is fun. I was an athlete at The Ohio State University and i actually now coach the girl thrower too. My junior year in college i went to Olympic Trials and did very good. But did not make the team. Hopely this time around it will be different.
Well, if you happen to hear of any jobs please contact.

thanks again

Keturah Lofton

WRONG FORUM

i've been taking pre-reqs for dental hygiene, and i'm already having a career choosing crisis. I'm starting to think maybe i should just go for dental assisting or pharmacy technician? All i've been hearing about dental hygienists is bad news. Either the jobs are scarce or the hours are few, I really have enough stress in my life right now and the least I was is to get a job where I will have more added to it.

Stay away from Assisting unless you like long hours for low pay.

The phamacy route would give you all the hours you want from what I have been told and noticed in the employment papers.

You are right about Hygiene right now. It is a dying profession in many locales. The ones that are 'fine' with things are in the minority and the same happy shiny people whos husbands have a good job and they do this for 'pocket' money.

Thanks for your take on the industry it will be something I will include in my report that I will be shopping around to congress to sponsor a bill to address our legitimate concerns.

We need the freedom to practice as we have been taught and licensed to perform. We earned our judgment and deserve to be declared true professionals with our own business and our own administration.

Yes, please help. I graduated in 2003 and had to move to Chicago to find a permanant position as an RDH. When I became pregnant and had to take some time off for complications I lost my job and have been unable to find another one. I've applied for all that I find, and in 1 1/2 years I was only called in for 2 interviews, neither of them hired me. I lost my house to the bank and had to move to South Central Illinois where Hygiene jobs are even more scarce. I now have to work 40+ hrs per week in a call center for bairly above minimum and even this doesn't help make ends meet for my family. I have over 10 years of dental office experience including management and even I can't find a hygiene job in IL.

The hygienists here are literally starving and struggling to provide a roof over the heads of their families. My husband only makes minimum wage too. IL needs help!!

needed hygienist in your area

dawn said: Hi! I'm just getting back into the swing of things since my second baby. I've had great luck temping if that's something you'd be interested in. I'm in Woodstock, Il and the full time jobs are sparse. Best bet for me has been temping.

Hi Dawn, I manage a dental practice in northern IL. We are looking for someong part-time 3 days a week. Would you be interested in calling for information? We are about 15-20 North of Gurnee. If so, call 847-872-5626 ask for Michelle.
Thanks

Erin in Lake Zurich, Illinois said: Help! I am in the north suburbs and am looking for a full time job. I have been in the same office for over 10 years as a hygienist and I am being phased out--with part time employees. If any one has any leads please let me know. Thanks!

Hi Erin, I don't know if you are interested, but we are looking for part-time 3 days a week, possibly going to full time later.
We are about 15-20 min North of Gurnee. 847-872-5626 ask for Michelle

TRY INDDED.COM AND GREAT LAKES NAVEL BASE THERE AREALWAYS JOBS IN THE MORE WEALTHER TOWNS UP NORTH NORTHBROOK, SKOKIE WILMET, TRY YOUR LOCAL ADA MEETINGS.

SORRY ABOUT MY SPELLING INDEED.COM

Dentalgeek in Palatine, Illinois said: Hi

I will be taking classes at Harper college in palatine starting in January 2008. Looking for others doing the same.

Thanks

Really so am I? what's ur name? Can't wait to start at harper! ;)