RNs in Dental Hygiene?

Hello, everyone. I'll be graduating with my BSN in May 2008. I also will be losing my job of 19 years in corporate America at that time (it's being outsourced). A friend is considering becoming an RDH and after researching a bit, I'm dismayed to find that in this area, a hygienist makes better money than most nurses. After my clinical experiences, I have a much more cynical view of nursing as a profession. I think that nurses are seriously underpaid for the level of responsibility they shoulder. I am strongly considering pursuing the RDH certification so that I can do both nursing and dental hygiene. The attraction for me is the ability to provide the one-to-one care that I prefer and the increased income potential.

Has anyone made a switch from another healthcare field into dental hygiene? Were there negative perceptions about you "jumping ship"? Thank you all in advance for your insights.

I found your post highly amusing since i will be graduating with my BSN in december, 2007. I also am starting to believe the nursing field was a mistake. Don't get me wrong, there are several wonderful jobs that actually do provide wonderful care to patients, but in my clinicals all i see are overworked nurses with way too many patient loads and too much responsibility. The legal aspects of nursing are quite frightening, as well. I recently became a victim of a neelestick from a patient, and that was very scary. Sitting in the ER waiting for my HIV labs to come back negative (i hoped) I began to think maybe nursing is not worth all this. While praying for my lab results, I told myself i would never endure this again. Recently i have been researching, and in my area dental hygienists make more than nurses, with much less responsibilities. If anyone has information on dental hygienists as a career, it would be incredibly helpful!

You guys crack me up. Search RDH in any state, even CA and you will find us all crying about working 25 hours in a week with no health insurance and no vacation pay.

It is nearly all part time work with no benefits. Wait until the dentist who 'owns you now' gives you a 10-99 and says as far as he is concerned you are a private contractor. Quit? Yeah good luck finding another job near where you live and with the pay and hours you need.

Most dentists work 3-4 days a week and a lot work form 10 am to 7 p.m to take care of people getting out of 9-5 jobs and elinimate the ones that bail out on early morning appointments that they made 6 months ago without a thought to getting up early in the morning.

Get ready to pee before work, at lunch and after work. No other time for it. Also, when you have a difficult cleaning and the dentist wants to bill everything at one appointment, you get to work through lunch or have the stack of resume's from new graduates clamoring for your job waved in your face.

RDH. Stands for Registerd Dental Hore.

Nurses face many of the same day-to-day challenges you describe. In fact, some critical care nurses have to go through bladder retraining because they "hold" the urge so long, they can't urinate when they get a spare 5 minutes during a twelve hour shift. Nurses stand/run for nearly their entire shift. Lunch is whatever you can grab and eat between patients, phones, doctors, and demanding family members.

I'll take a stack of paperwork over HIV or hepatitis-C any day.

We have HIV patients all the time that we suspect, but never disclose to us. The same for Hep. We have no lab and no way to verify. Dentists get mad if we use perfect universal precautions on everyone because it costs so much in disposables.

Half the Dentists I worked with would not wash before re-gloving and were constantly complaining about how much soap the rest of us used.

100 other things like the high level of staph infections we know come from re-use of instruments and improper x-ray techique. We were only allowed to bag the x-ray head once a day in case we were inspected or a medically trained person was treated.

The front desk would alert us when a doctor or lawyer was in the waiting room so we could make sure everything was sterile or new disposable.

Don't like it? They tell unemployment you quit after they fire you verbally.

RDH's are junior dentists with no rights.

BONNIE AND CLAIR
PLEASE RECONSIDER...TAKE IT FROM US...WE ARE ALREADY IN THIS FIELD...I'LL TELL IT LIKE IT IS.

I wouldn't recommend you coming into the field. Jobs are hard to find. I work only 2 days a week. Yes, we get about $3 more but we only get 16 hours. Dentists are trying to phase us out. It's a fact. Those of you who are not in the field do not know this , but it's a silent war between the dentist and hygienist.

Yes, I have to empty my bladder before work, during , lunch (1/2 hour ), and after work. I am broke because I just can't find a steady job. I mean, really, one day is not enough and dentists are not hiring. I know this, because 4 of my friends are looking too and they can't find anything either.

What you have to watch out for is "Prophylaxis Mill" where you get 30 mins for each patient. How in the world am I going to do a good cleaning on 150 surfaces, assuming that you have 30 teeth left in you mouth. IT'S JUST UNREALISTIC!!! I go home with shoulder pain, weak wrist and thump and forefinger and LOWER BACK PAIN!!! and don't mention the neck. In the state of Florida, the dentists want assistant to scale above the gum tissue. My two other frieds sent as many as 100 resumes out and NOTHING . Seriously, not one was hiring. I tried it too and they were right, NOTHING . I'm depress and not feeling quite too thrill about this profession. The law, I pray to God, hopefully, it won't pass. They are trying to phrase us out, PERIOD.

I tell my nieces to tell her friends to not get into hygiene or dental assisting program. I do agree wholeheartedly with Mike, because it's happening to me too.

Please think really hard about coming to this field. I 'm trying to get out soon and I thought about nursing program or PA. don't know which is the best for me ..have to do more research. I'm just like you. I go on nursing forum and read blogs and ask question to get a better understanding before I jump the ship into nursing program. And the HIV issue

Continue

And the HIV issue, dental hygienist don't know who has it and who don't because 90% of the time they don't tell us. You, as a nurse know their status before hand. We don't. I like my job but we, as dental hygienists are being push around by dentists, who are trying to wipe us out. I used to be an assistant and one of the professor was so happy to tell us that in the near future , dental hygiene will be done with, she said that with a big smile, like she hated dental hygienist. Anyway, that was 3-4 years ago and if I'm correct the "near future" is fast approching. I'm not saying all dentist are egotistic or aggressive. MOst are and some aren't. DENTISTRY IS A MONEY MAKING BUSINESS. DDS could care less if you develope carpal tunnel in your wrist, or hernia disc. This is how it is AS MUCH PATIENTS AS THEY CAN SQUEEZE IN MEANS MORE PRODUCTION = money for their benz,boats and other expensive habits. Don't get me wrong, some are in this for a good cause , like my dentist, but MOST aren't. If you really want to make money, go be a dentist. Much luck.

To Jennifer or Mike,

I'm a contractor. I don't quite sure how it works. I 'm only over there one day a week. Can you explain to me exactly what it is and how does the tax thing work. Thanks

Cavitron,

You are going to get 10-99'd and be responsible for all state and federal taxes.

R.D.H. = Dental Prostitute.

Stay out and save your self worth.

ADHA = 1960's Jimmy Hoffa Teamsters

Mike in Clinton Township, Michigan said: Cavitron,

You are going to get 10-99'd and be responsible for all state and federal taxes.

R.D.H. = Dental Prostitute.

Stay out and save your self worth.

ADHA = 1960's Jimmy Hoffa Teamsters

I should have went into nursing . I can't turn around and go back to school at this time, maybe in the near future. Hey,have you try the traveling program ? Do you know of anybody who has tried it?
thanks

Wow--I am amazed at all the negative feelings toward Dental Hygiene. I love my job and have never regretted getting into it. My sister is a nurse and she makes about $25 per hour in a stressful ER working 12 hours shifts with a half hour commute each way. I make $35 per hour, work 8:30 to 5:30 four miles from my house. My sister often has to work weekends and holidays and I never do. It is true that she has benefits but since the difference in my salary makes up for the percentage that her employer contributes to her 401 K and I have health insurance with my husband, my deal seems sweeter. Prior to being married, I did need a job with benefits and I worked in three consecutive offices that did offer benefits. My last job offered retirement and we were on a salary. We got the same paycheck regardless of whether the office was open. My dentist usually closed for about four weeks per year so that was pretty good. Were were asked to take turns being "on call" (taking the office cell phone) for emergencies on the days were not open. I am just trying to say there are offices that offer benefits. I think a person should chose their career based on what they love to do because all the benefits and money can't make you happy if you hate your job. It may sound silly to some but I feel lucky that I can make a difference in someone's quality of life and lets face it, we all love to eat and having healthy teeth makes that a lot easier. I am not trying to debate those who have negative feelings toward the profession--they are obviously not happy with their career choice which is unfortunate. I am just saying that there are those of us who are happy in the profession and encourage others not to be swayed by the opinions of the unhappy ones. Make your own choice.

those of you in the dental field, is there a difference in the attitudes of women dentists verses male dentists, old guys verses younger doctors.

My DDS is very concerned with "infection control" everything that can be disposable, is disposable--to the extreme sometimes. I make $33 with half of my insurance paid, paid holidays, and vacation time. I work 32-40 hours per week (1/2 day Fridays). There are things we complain about, but overall--it is a pretty good job. This is a second profession for me, went back to get associates after getting BS, making double the salary. I work for a female DDS, so the office as a whole can be moody at times. All but one of fellow classmates have jobs for the days that they want, and can temp the other days. I would honestly say it is easier if your a younger RDH, and being good looking helps too---the DDS wants someone to represent the office--as with any customer service job--but you have to be good at your job too. Know what you want in an office, and accept no less--there are MANY other offices. I have never heard of the profession being phased out!!!!!

Regarding the comment that was made that some of us are obviously not happy with our career choice. I think that some of the negative comments are not that they are unhappy with the clinical aspects of hygiene but that they can not do what they where actually taught to do. I myself have had a very hard time finding a position in my field. I currently am working but my hours have been reduced to about 2 1/2 days from a 4 day 8 hour work week and I drive an hour back and forth to work just to have a job in my field. I have been told by the temp agencies that they could give me assistant work but there are no hygiene positions available even to temp. Also yes I have a good hourly wage however, that does not help when you drive an hour to work and your patients cancel and you get sent home because there is no production. Sometimes it doesn't even cover the gas there and back. The economy has a huge impact on the dental field and alot of Drs. will send us home if they don't have a schedule and take over the hygiene schedule. So just to clarify in my case anyway, I love the profession of hygiene, I just hate the situations I am in because of the lack of work for our state anyway. Hopefully things will change.

I hope to add your name to those that will go on the Oprah show if it can be arranged. This needs to be told to every american. They think we have an easy job and full time work.

All these comments are a huge eye opener that, "the grass is not greener on the other side". I convinced my husband that I was changing my career to a dental hygienist since they worked great hours, had great benefits and pay with less stress. I have been an ICU RN for 5 years and I am so tired of all the B.S. There is so much exposure, emotional and physical stress, and lets all be honest...the pay does not compensate the work load. There is a stigma that nurses dont do anything. When family visits they constantly complain about one thing or another, the doctors think they are God's gift to the human race (especially surgeons), you have to deal with other people in your facility who are burned out and that can make for a dismal work environment. If there was not such a shortage, if the pay were a little better, if I did not have to hear a doctor curse and scream and have temper tantrums while the hospital admisistration did jack s@*t about those incidents, and if I felt just a little more appreciated, I might be able to respect the profession a little more. I love what I do for a living, I just do not love what a nurse has to deal with in order to take care of people for a living. So, with not enough enough being said about the downside to becoming a nurse...it is unfortunate that the grass on the other side is not at all greener.

I have been a dental hygienist for about 8 years now and am currently changing professions. I will receive my BSN in May 2008 for nursing. After working for the same dentist for 8 years and having to threaten to quit every time I want a raise I just got tired of it. I couldn't find another job because other dentist didn't want to "hire me away" from my current employer because all the dentists in my community are "friends." I also had the pleasure of training two new MALE hygienists who just graduated from school and I found out my boss is paying them $5 more per hour than me...sound like discrimination? A local hospital was willing to foot the entire bill for my BSN if I agreed to work part-time for them for only 2 years...hmmmm...let me think about this...I can't get my current employer to give me a 50 cent raise, but I can get a hospital whom I've never worked for to pay $20,000 in tuition just to work for them for 2 years? Sounds pretty obvious who I'm more valuabe to...don't you think? Hygiene is a great job...if you're one of the lucky few who get to work for generous dentists. The rest of us must settle for average pay (about what a nurse starts out at) without any committment about when and if future raises will come...remember, raises from dentists come out of THEIR own pockets. Hospitals provide better benefits and raises and you can go anywhere and find a job...a little harder to do in hygiene. I wish I had made this decision years ago...instead of wasting my time working for someone who doesn't value me.

Well, as a MALE Hygienist who has been fighting for equal treatment from patients that 'want to see a female' I think I'm pretty glad you are switching to nursing.

Decisions and attitudes about people based on THEIR gender is discrimination.

The MALE M.D.'s are going to be SO much better to work for.

Well Mike...thanks for your input. I'm sorry to hear that patients have been treating you unequally because you are male. However, I don't think anyone can argue that having to train two hygienists with NO experience whatsoever who are making more money than you is discrimiatory and unfair, regardless of their sex. It is also illegal according to the "Fair Pay Act of the United States." I'm sure the male MD's won't be much better as far as their attitudes go...but they won't be the ones signing my paycheck now will they?!

Nicole said: A local hospital was willing to foot the entire bill for my BSN if I agreed to work part-time for them for only 2 years

Nicole, please share how you got a hospital to pay for your nursing school! I have a bachelor's degree and I'm a teacher who really wants to pursue nursing. Any tips / advice on how I can get my nursing degree paid by a hospital would be greatly appreciated.

I think you would have to contact the nursing recruiter for each hospital in your area to find out what programs they have available. Usually you must agree to work for the hospital for "x" number of years once you graduate, and must sign a contract stating this. If you leave early, you must pay the money back. You may also not have a choice in what area you are required to work in (such as ICU, CCU, etc.). In this area, I have not heard of such offers being made to people who are still in school unless they are already hospital employees (such as patient care techs or phlebotomists).
If you planning on a BSN, research the prerequisites for each program and get those done ASAP. BTW, I already have a bachelor's degree and I found it knocked me out of the running for just about every nursing scholarship out there despite very good grades (there is usually a clause which states that applicants who already have a bachelor's degree are not eligible). Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

To Bonnie:

I had planned to go back to school for nursing since 2003. From that time I started saving and planning (being in my 30s, I did not want to take out a bunch of student loans). I was then informed by another nurse locally about an "RN incentive program" offered by a local hospital. I contacted the hospital and they interviewed me. My scholarship provides that all my tuition is paid for and my books as well. I had to sign a contract to work for the hospital for 2 years with a minimum of 24 hours a week in order to qualify. If I don't work for the hospital for two years...they put me on a monthly payment plan to pay them back. This particular hospital also offers a $20,000 student loan forgiveness for any new graduate that also signs a contract to work for two years who did not participate in the "RN incentive program" as I have. So that way other new graduates from other areas can come and work for them and have much of their student loans paid off. I was then able to use the money I had saved, along with my husbands income, to pay for living expenses while I attend school. ( I also work part-time as a dental hygienist) I suggest that you check with the hospitals in your local area to see what offers they may have. Many of them have tuition payment or some time of sign-on bonus to help with any student loans. I am also aware that another private hospital in my local area will pay up to $1500 a semester in tuition for nurses. One of my best friends used to be a teacher and went back to be a nurse. She just finished her master's and is now a nurse practitioner making about $90,000 a year and loves her job. She too had ALL her graduate tuition paid for by the hospital she worked at as a nurse. The hospital I received the scholarship from also pays 100% for graduate school tuition if you are working at least part-time as a nurse. So check it out....Good Luck to you!!!!

Nicole

Sorry...the above was for wonderwoman in california...sorry thought bonnie was inquiring. Bonnie is right...they usually do require a work commitment from the graduate.

hi
does anyone know how much a dental hygienist makes in the united arab emirates (dubai)

Bonnie said: Hello, everyone. I'll be graduating with my BSN in May 2008. I also will be losing my job of 19 years in corporate America at that time (it's being outsourced). A friend is considering becoming an RDH and after researching a bit, I'm dismayed to find that in this area, a hygienist makes better money than most nurses. After my clinical experiences, I have a much more cynical view of nursing as a profession. I think that nurses are seriously underpaid for the level of responsibility they shoulder. I am strongly considering pursuing the RDH certification so that I can do both nursing and dental hygiene. The attraction for me is the ability to provide the one-to-one care that I prefer and the increased income potential.

Has anyone made a switch from another healthcare field into dental hygiene? Were there negative perceptions about you "jumping ship"? Thank you all in advance for your insights.

Hello there. I am a dental hygienist of 20 years returning to school to become an RN through a local community college program. I won't get in until fall of '09 but I think this field will be better. My arm hurts after practicing this long, I cannot find a full-time job, and any kind of benefits are difficult to find. I live in Michigan. I would not recommend dental hygiene to anyone. I am lucky to have a job right now and I work in a difficult office. The patients mouths are difficult, lots of build up. Most people do not go every 6 months, where it is easier on your hand. I complement those that do. I would suggest public health or occupational safety areas for a masters degree for you. This way you will not hurt your back also. Nurses have more options, can find full-time work, and get necessary benefits - health insurance, vacation etc.

Jessica in Cypress, Texas said: All these comments are a huge eye opener that, "the grass is not greener on the other side". I convinced my husband that I was changing my career to a dental hygienist since they worked great hours, had great benefits and pay with less stress. I have been an ICU RN for 5 years and I am so tired of all the B.S. There is so much exposure, emotional and physical stress, and lets all be honest...the pay does not compensate the work load. There is a stigma that nurses dont do anything. When family visits they constantly complain about one thing or another, the doctors think they are God's gift to the human race (especially surgeons), you have to deal with other people in your facility who are burned out and that can make for a dismal work environment. If there was not such a shortage, if the pay were a little better, if I did not have to hear a doctor curse and scream and have temper tantrums while the hospital admisistration did jack s@*t about those incidents, and if I felt just a little more appreciated, I might be able to respect the profession a little more. I love what I do for a living, I just do not love what a nurse has to deal with in order to take care of people for a living. So, with not enough enough being said about the downside to becoming a nurse...it is unfortunate that the grass on the other side is not at all greener.

Please send me personal email about your job. I am in pain from dental hygiene of 20 years, sad over being downsized from two higher paying jobs, having no benefits, feeling owned by the awful practice I work at, and need to provide for my family. AFter my husband has had several job losses/changes (and being out of work for one year) I think I could become a nurse in michigan because that is in demand. I can't find full-time and I hate where I am now. Please help.

jpsjstevens@yahoo.com

Nicole said: I have been a dental hygienist for about 8 years now and am currently changing professions. I will receive my BSN in May 2008 for nursing. After working for the same dentist for 8 years and having to threaten to quit every time I want a raise I just got tired of it. I couldn't find another job because other dentist didn't want to "hire me away" from my current employer because all the dentists in my community are "friends." I also had the pleasure of training two new MALE hygienists who just graduated from school and I found out my boss is paying them $5 more per hour than me...sound like discrimination? A local hospital was willing to foot the entire bill for my BSN if I agreed to work part-time for them for only 2 years...hmmmm...let me think about this...I can't get my current employer to give me a 50 cent raise, but I can get a hospital whom I've never worked for to pay $20,000 in tuition just to work for them for 2 years? Sounds pretty obvious who I'm more valuabe to...don't you think? Hygiene is a great job...if you're one of the lucky few who get to work for generous dentists. The rest of us must settle for average pay (about what a nurse starts out at) without any committment about when and if future raises will come...remember, raises from dentists come out of THEIR own pockets. Hospitals provide better benefits and raises and you can go anywhere and find a job...a little harder to do in hygiene. I wish I had made this decision years ago...instead of wasting my time working for someone who doesn't value me.

Hello, please tell me how you are doing. I have been a dental hygienist for 20 years and have same issues and more. I am taking prereqs over to get into a program. Where do you live. I need suggestions. Thanks.

Susan

Bonnie said: Hello, everyone. I'll be graduating with my BSN in May 2008. I also will be losing my job of 19 years in corporate America at that time (it's being outsourced). A friend is considering becoming an RDH and after researching a bit, I'm dismayed to find that in this area, a hygienist makes better money than most nurses. After my clinical experiences, I have a much more cynical view of nursing as a profession. I think that nurses are seriously underpaid for the level of responsibility they shoulder. I am strongly considering pursuing the RDH certification so that I can do both nursing and dental hygiene. The attraction for me is the ability to provide the one-to-one care that I prefer and the increased income potential.

Has anyone made a switch from another healthcare field into dental hygiene? Were there negative perceptions about you "jumping ship"? Thank you all in advance for your insights.

Hello, i am a RDH, BSDH for 4 yrs now, i was thinking about getting my BSN. The only downfall of being a RDH is majority of offices do NOT provide medical benefits. 401K possibly. Yes you only work M_F sometimes sat. THe pay will vary with the benifits. The problem is they are small companies that cannot afford health care for there employees. If they do provide health ins. it is so expensive that most employees cannot afford it. Another thing it is really hard on your back - for the first few yrs it seems easy - but it only gets worse - but i am not a nurse.
I hope this gives you a little insight.

I'm a ICU/CCU travel nurse with 15 years experince. It took me a long time but now I love my job. In nursing there is a myriad of oppurtunities, home health, ICU, managment, teaching, hospitial, rehab, supervisor, CNO, director, nurse anesthesia. midwife, Nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and etc (this is not true with dental hygiene). A experinced RN can go to work any place at any time. You could pick almost any place or hospital in the U.S and have no problem getting a job there. If you choose to travel and work paying for your own insurance you can easily make six figures, such as I do I also get vacation pay and 401K match employer matches 6%. If you want a permanat hospital flex position with no benfits the pay is $40/hr or more.

Where i live, hygienists make about $40-$50 an hour. The job is in high demand. It only requires two years of school. The pay is great, it is low stress. I recieve full health benefits. The job is in high demand, and dentists are not trying to phase hygienists out. They don't want to be bothered with cleaning. Most of them would rather pay someone. You probably will find it hard to work full time at an office. I am currently working 3 days at one office and 2 at another. The hours are great, and if you work for a same religion boss, your definitly going to be off for all major holidays.

Ive been a hygienist for 7 years now. I absolutely hate it! I got married and am blessed to be able to stay home. I wasted so much time, money, and energy working toward such a useless degree. Do not ever go into that profession. Jobs are scarce. Although i am keeping my license up I hope i never have to do that again, i would rather work in fast food.

Dissapointed,

Can I ask why do you hate it? I had a bit of problems myself and am considering doing it again it seems like in the US there is money to be made in hygiene.

It is the same thing all day long over and over my back started to hurt, i even went to the chiropractor 3 days a week. my hands got numb. I think what did it i worked in an awful office right out of school. I felt like i was selling dentistry. kind of like selling cars. IT was Money and production !!!!! nothing else. although the money was good. I had to call patients at night when i got home, and if they didnt show for their appt i got yelled at. like it was my fault. I had to fill out production sheets and turn them in daily. I had to do it on my 30 minute lunch or when i got off which was always late. IT just wasnt for me, i feel very let down. And beware of office consultants many offices have them now. Ask if they have one and RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyday when i got to my car at the end of the day my nerves were so shot i would throw up. It had made me a bitter angry person. IT is just not worth it. YOU may like it though, my hygienist friends do.

Dissapointed I have already been dissapointed as a Dental Assistant one dentist told me to change my hair color so I can take the job out of all my DA years only one job was good all the rest I was treated poorly.

It affects you overall you begin to think maybe I am a nothing.

Now I am thinking of moving ahead but worried I may make the wrong decision.

Thanks,

oh no thats awful. Why are these dentist like that? I know its a big decision and something to think about. My daughter is a senior and will start college this fall and she has always said she is not going in to dentistry cause she has seen the agony i have gone through. Well i wish u luck in your decision and i hope i havent discouraged u too bad, I just wish someone would have told me the truth instead of painting perfect pictures of the glamorous life of hygiene. good luck.

dissappointed rdh in Concord, North Carolina said: It is the same thing all day long over and over my back started to hurt, i even went to the chiropractor 3 days a week. my hands got numb. I think what did it i worked in an awful office right out of school. I felt like i was selling dentistry. kind of like selling cars. IT was Money and production !!!!! nothing else. although the money was good. I had to call patients at night when i got home, and if they didnt show for their appt i got yelled at. like it was my fault. I had to fill out production sheets and turn them in daily. I had to do it on my 30 minute lunch or when i got off which was always late. IT just wasnt for me, i feel very let down. And beware of office consultants many offices have them now. Ask if they have one and RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyday when i got to my car at the end of the day my nerves were so shot i would throw up. It had made me a bitter angry person. IT is just not worth it. YOU may like it though, my hygienist friends do.

Sounds like you worked for a horrible place. I love what I do, I know hygiene jobs are scarce in NC but I have done Hygiene in Arkansas for 3 years with a wonderful office, since I know they exist, I WILL NOT work for a place that does not meet MY standards of care and I WILL not be abused or used. I'd rather not work. Sad thing is someone would miss out on a good hygienist who is a great employee and is VERY professional.

yes maybe one day if i can find a good office i can trust i may try it again

Honestly, I think most people go into hygiene because of the money factor. At times we forget that working for a dentist is working in a small business so no benefits, and other things that come.

In general there are a lot of great healthcare professions out there that are rewarding and offer lots of there perks.

I don't think dental is bad but once your had a bad experience it out ways anything good that may come.

yes i agree.... I wonder how nursing is? I know nurses that left the profession to become hygienists. And they like hygiene better.... they say the hours and money are better. I have learned an expensive lesson. YOU have to like your job no matter what the pay. I would like to go back to work someday and do something to feel productive. I thought about criminal justice? They say doing sonograms and MRI's are pretty good jobs.Im almost 40, its a little late for me to start a career. i dont know.

Dissapointed it is never late. I am in my mid-thirties and I feel pretty bad having to start over.

Nursing over here is in high-demand so if I was in nursing I would not leave for hygiene they get benefits and such hygienist don't plan true fact.

But then I think if I don't try I will never know and I hope this helps you.

Age is only a number nothing we should go by.

VPK in Toronto, Ontario said: Dissapointed it is never late. I am in my mid-thirties and I feel pretty bad having to start over.

Nursing over here is in high-demand so if I was in nursing I would not leave for hygiene they get benefits and such hygienist don't plan true fact.

But then I think if I don't try I will never know and I hope this helps you.

Age is only a number nothing we should go by.

Hey I agree with VPK, I am 36 and when I do go back to work I will be 38. I really want to get a BS degree once I get my child settled in school. I love clinical hygiene but I agree as you get older it does get physically demanding. My problem right now is the fact that NC can't seem to get on board many other states with their laws. Hopefully this is something I can continue to be involved with although I am not practicing right now. Hey but it is never too late to do anything you want to do.

Hello, I am 42 and starting over again. I live in Michigan, work in a terrible place where they need me to keep track of production, sweep and mop. They change the rules on what I need to do weekly. The managers have never been dentists or hygienists, they demand I attend staff meetings on my days off. Send me home when the schedule is not full. Nothing is consistent. I am going in sane. Then there are the prima dona coworkers. I know nursing is tough, but after being through my husband losing a few jobs and being unemployed for 14 months with me working in 4 dental offices to pay our family bills. I am sick of not being able to find the nice type of office I have been in the past. Plus my arm is hurting from all the difficult patients we see due to our policy of accepting almost all insurances. I wonder if waitressing will help my right wrist out until I can finish nursing school. I have yet to be accepted and in Michigan there are so many applicants you better have a 4.0 and that I am working on in my spare time. I also have 2 teenagers and a husband that travels now (but at least he likes his job and has one now, I am thankful.) I did already study to be a elementary teacher but u of m flint stated for every teaching position (elementary) there are about 350 applicants. So I investigated, there are more jobs in nursing. Plus a variety of directions available. I care about people and the fair treatment they should received in any care setting - that is my true problem and should be for anyone in health care. I believe I can work at least 20 more years when I am done if I take care of my body, exercise and find time to enjoy life. I don't mind the learning. It is even more interesting the second time around. I can even help my kids better with math because I majored in math and science with previous hopes of becoming a middle school math teacher. Now I have soo much fear of not finding a teaching position --I can't move at this time either.

oh my, sounds like u are in a terrible office. U need to get out of there. U sound like a very smart lady. I would give teaching a try. My mom was a teacher it has great benefits. Send out your resumes.

Susan are you a RDH? It sounds like a nightmare office.

VPK in Toronto, Ontario said: Susan are you a RDH? It sounds like a nightmare office.

Why don't you get your BS if you haven't already and work as an instructor at a dental hygiene school, or work for phillip sonicare or oral b or crest etc. You get the idea. Just a thought.

yes i am an RDH, i was fortunate to find a wonderful husband and now i stay home.

Hello, yes I have been a RDH for 20 years now. I plan on keeping this position (a rotten situation) because I can work Sat. and Sun. while attending nursing school (eventually when I can get in - they go by grade point for entrance. I never finished my teaching degree because it would cost $10,000 more. I could finish a bachelors degree with 6 classes at U of M Flint = but that is about $6,000 total... the same cost as the nursing program at Oakland Comm. College. I know I will get an associates degree in nursing, but will find a job and I can do the online bachelors program thru U of M Flint with a hospital helping me pay the cost. I need a sure thing. There are not many Crest/Sonicare rep positions as there are nursing. There is a lot of competition in todays job market. You don't know unless you are in it and desperately looking. Plus you don't live in Michigan. Any job is difficult to find and get here. A lot of businesses want young and pretty for reps; or young for male type jobs. My husband has his masters and had no calls for a year (over qualified and many positions request only 3 to 5 years experience-- this means they only want the younger crowd to apply. No older people who would be more experienced. This is age discrimination and it happens, like it or not. I have a family to support. Teaching has better benefits, but if I were to finish that degree I am up agains 400 other people applying for the same job, the college counselor told me this. Unless I get a H.S. math degree, which is again starting over and more money/time.

I am extremely dissapointed that so many of you are complaining about the greatest, and easiest job you will ever have.
I work in a pediatric office making great money, and I love working with the kids, and seeing their attitudes change once they are done and say, wow that wasn't so bad.
I also work with adults in another office, I prefer the kids, but I like making a difference in their perception of Dentistry. I like the feeling of doing something to help them retain good oral health. Unfortunately many Hygienists I encounter don't care anymore, about their job or their patients, so everything is status quo until I see them and all of a sudden they need all this work because of a hygienist who gave up a long time ago.
I do not have any other friends who can work part time and make the ridiculous amounts of money I make. They all wish they had thought of it before they had kids and other degrees they do not use. I love hygiene it is thriving in New Jersey and highly in demand, but only for those who still care, the rest are perpetually temping or searching for jobs. However one day working with one of them and you will see why they are where they are.
Now as far as benefits, sure hospitals give out more, but give me a break, most offices have 1 dentist, maybe 2 hygienists and 3 office staff(on average?) how much could you possibly expect, the 40 plus dollars an hour is fine by me!! However for full time I know plenty of hygienists with pension plans and medical benefits, eventually when my kids grow older I may join them, but for now, I have my kids 3 days a week and I have my fabulously paying job the rest.
So for all of the future hygienists....smile....and make someone else happy to smile as well!!!

You get what you ask for...
If you demand more time per patient in a reasonable manner you will get it, and if you don't then find someone who will give it to you.
It is because of the prophy factory type hygienists that we are in this mess if no one agreed to work like that then those dentists would change their outlooks.
I have no tolerance for people who complain about their current situations but do nothing to change them. I want a raise, I ask, I want more time with a patient, I ask, I want new instruments, I ask......so far that seems to be working out well for me because I am prepared to back up any requests I have: New instruments= better cleaning; more time= happier patient they feel well cared for; and more money= happier hygienist to provide all of the above. Stop wasting our time complaining and fight for independence to have our own businesses then we can all be happy and make more money!

i totally agree with u
and my god "the prophy factory hygienists"
is the best term fo r those hygienists who are putting up with a lot of BS and not standing up for themselves.
if the dentist is an a hole and an abuser who thinks only about his bank account then don't work for them
i'm working with with an italian dentist in montreal since i've graduated 4 years ago and i'm so happy there. my boss is great, the patients are appreciative and my co workers have become my friends who i hang arouund with. salary too is great, i make 31 dollars an hour an a city where the cost of living is much much cheaper than new gersey and other american cities
so girls you'll get what u ask for. stand up for yourself and stop complaining and start doing something
hygiene is great in just 4 years i've bought a condo in montreal
how many jobs do u know of that pays so well
please don't givea bad reputation to this proffession
i salute all the good hygienists who make a difference in people's life and prove that they are health care professionals and not just "teeth cleaners"
from the icy city of montreal