How much do dental assistants make? How much do dental hygienists make? Although many people often interchange and mistake dental assisting for dental hygiene, the difference between the two is significant. One way to distinguish one from the other is through looking at salaries.

It should not surprise anyone that how much do dental hygienists make is greater than how much dental assistants earn. First, dental hygienists have greater and heavier responsibilities and tasks. Second, dental hygienists are required to obtain at least an associate degree before taking the job whereas dental assistants may be hired even with just a high school diploma provided that candidates agree to undergo on-the-job training from their employers.

What Factors Affect How Much Do Dental Hygienists Make?

In general, there are similarities on the factors that affect how much do dental hygienists make and how much dental assistants earn. Three main factors include the number of years of working experience, possession of certification, business of employer, and the state where the professional is practicing.

How much do dental hygienists make considering those factors? The rates may vary. More experienced professionals could expect to earn more as well as those who hold required and necessary certification. Dental hygienists employed in private clinics and hospitals may earn more than those hired by small clinics, whereas several states pay more to dental hygienists compared to others.

How Much Do Dental Hygienists Make?

According to the US Occupational Outlook Handbook, these professionals have among the lucrative pay packages provided to members of a dental healthcare team. How much do dental hygienists make per year? As of 2010, the median pay for dental hygienists is about $68,250 annually. That can be translated to $32.81 on an hourly basis.

Still as of 2010, there are around 181,800 dental hygienists who are practicing in the profession across the US. It is expected that the number would increase by up to 38% by 2020 or there would be additional 68,500 new dental hygienists by that year. The outlook is much faster compared to average increase in dental hygienists jobs in the past few years.

Earnings Of Dental Assistants Compared To How Much Do Dental Hygienists Make

How much do dental hygienists make compared to dental assistants? As mentioned above, dental hygienists have a median annual salary of $68,250 ($32.81 per hour). In comparison, according to data from the US Occupational Outlook Handbook in 2010, dental assistants’ median yearly salary is about $33,470 or about $16.09 on an hourly basis.

In comparison, there are more dental assistants than there are dental hygienists across the country. As of 2010, there are about 297,200 dental assistants. The job outlook is lower as the number of dental assistants is expected to grow only 31% until 2020, which could translate to an addition of 91,600 new dental assistants.

In terms of average annual pay rate, compensation for dental assistants may be far from getting at par with how much do dental hygienists make. The average annual dental assistant salary is about $33,470. The higher-paid professionals may receive more than $47,000 yearly depending on years of experience. In comparison, the average annual dental hygienist salary is about $45,000. More experienced dental hygienists can receive as much as $93,000 yearly as pay rate.

Dental technician job description includes construction of various appliances like fixed and removable prostheses. Those include creation of dentures, crowns, bridges, and retention plates. The professional may also be trained to perform post orthodontic braces removal. The dental technician is expected to do his functions and responsibilities properly and effectively.

In general, the dental technician job description mandates the professional to directly work with dentists. He has to follow detailed written instructions and specifications from the orthodontist or dentist. Part of the job is to use molds for replicating teeth when constructing crowns, false teeth, or bridges.

To make prostheses, the dental technician has to be knowledgeable about many other things. Part of dental technician job description is using skills and expertise in using materials like stainless steel, wax, gold, porcelain, and some other metals. He should also be able to make aesthetic and metal-free prostheses when needed.

What Other Things To Expect From Dental Technician Job Description?

It is becoming usual for dental technician job description to include tasks that involve carving and shaping. The professional has to possess qualities that are typical of carvers. He has to be used to using special tools like lathes, presses, and drills. At the same time, he has to know how to heat furnaces especially when creating prosthetic devices.

Most employers set a general dental technician job description when hiring such professionals. They require the dental technicians to perform specific tasks. Those include making dentures for patients who have missing teeth, veneers for enhancing aesthetics, and crowns for restoration of root canal treated teeth. The dental technician is also tasked to help straighten as well as protect teeth using different orthodontic treatment tools and splints.

Requirements For Dental Technician Job Description

A dental technician has to meet certain requirements before he is hired by any employer. Those may not be numerous. Educational requirements may not be as stringent and as demanding as other professionals within the dental healthcare team. An individual who has completed a technical certification program for dental technicians will easily fit the bill. But some employers hire candidates who have at least a high school diploma. In such cases, dental technicians are required to undergo specific training while on the job.

To become one of the eligible certified technicians, an individual has to take and pass examinations conducted by no less than the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. A successful passer of such tests will automatically become a Certified Dental Technician or CDT, who is entitled to more career opportunities, job benefits, and higher salary.

The dental technician job description generally requires independence and flexibility. The professional is expected to become a reliable, knowledgeable, and skillful part of a dental healthcare team. He may not be the highest paid professional in such a group, but there surely are numerous opportunities and career perks that are opening up for him. As the dental technician accumulates more years of working experience, his eligibility for many career advancement chances expands.

Dental technician jobs are sought after these days. Thus, it is not surprising that many individuals want to know how to become a dental technician. Just like all other professions in the dental healthcare team, becoming a dental technician is not as easy as it seems. It is true that the job requires least educational attainment and credentials, but the professional surely has to be properly oriented, educated, and trained to perform not-so-simple duties.

In general, dental technicians create bridges, false teeth (dentures), and crowns strictly following the mold of patients’ teeth coming from the dentist. The technician’s job may be performed in a designated dental laboratory. He has to be knowledgeable not just about the use of special instruments and appliances but also about the proper handling of materials like wax, porcelain, and metals. Good vision, strong attention to keen details, and manual dexterity are also expected from anyone who wants to know how to become a dental technician.

How to become a dental technician? As mentioned, it will not be as easy as it may seem. An individual has to possess not just the right education and training but also the right physical attributes and traits. Determination is also important to achieve career goals.

Education And Training As Factor On How To Become A Dental Technician

There are dental lab technician programs offered and facilitated in certain colleges, universities, community schools, and technical centers. Certification or diploma programs may take just a few months to be completed. However, experts recommend taking and completing an appropriate two-year degree program to be eligible for numerous career progression opportunities and higher pay.

The dental technician program will be a guide on how to become a dental technician. That is because individuals who take required courses are educated and trained about proper and recommended techniques in doing dental lab technician tasks. Be sure the program you take is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Completing a program or required educational units will qualify an individual to take examinations conducted by the National Board for Certification. Passing such a test will lead to obtaining the necessary certification to work formally as a full pledged and credible dental technician. An individual may be allowed to take the exam even without completing a program if he has accumulated proper and recognizable training on the actual job for a specific number of years.

How To Become A Dental Technician Without Completing An Appropriate Program

It is possible for anyone to work as a dental technician. Many employers hire candidates who have not taken dental lab technician programs or courses. Those may offer to provide the right education and training to such individuals while on the job. The setback of this arrangement is that the candidates are not eligible to enjoy lucrative salary packages and are not qualified for career development and advancement opportunities.

Thus, anyone who wants to know how to become a dental technician is advised to take the appropriate and necessary program to be one. Competition across the job market is always intense. Those who have the right credentials, education, and training will always be at an advantage.

Dental hygienist schools in Alabama exist to cater to a few students who intend to become dental hygienists in the future. Because of the demographics of the state population, it is not surprising that there is not much demand for dental hygiene services in the area. However, those schools are still producing some of the best professionals.

To date, there are only around 3.020 dental hygienists in the state. The job outlook is quite encouraging. It is expected that the number of such professionals in the area can possibly increase by up to 30% by 2018. It is logical that in the coming years, demand for dental hygiene services will also rise in the state as more and more people become more conscious about their dental health.

In terms of salary packages, dental hygienists may not make so much money in state. But the compensation is not that bad. As of 2009, the annual salary average of the dental hygienists in Alabama is $33,368. The median is at $43,308. However, as expected, there are numerous and attractive opportunities for career advancement.

Graduates Of Dental Hygienist Schools In Alabama

Each year, only 26 graduates with dental hygiene degrees are produced in the state. Logically, it can be inferred that the programs offered at dental hygienist schools in Alabama are not that popular among students. But as mentioned, this number is expected to increase in the coming years, as demand for the services rendered by the profession increases. Students may also recognize the fact that there are many career opportunities for dental hygienists in the state.

The graduates of dental hygienist schools in Alabama obtain either a certificate or an associate degree in dental hygiene. Certificate programs are more popular for obvious reasons. Those are cheaper and are faster to attain compared to the other type of programs. Associate degree programs are opted by students who prefer to take more courses and who plan to eventually pursue obtaining a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene or other fields in the dental healthcare profession.

Choosing Dental Hygienist Schools In Alabama

The best among dental hygienist schools in Alabama should be chosen. This will certainly not be a hard and confusing task. That is because there are not too many options available. In fact, there is only one recognized and accredited dental hygienist school in the state—George C. Wallace State Community College–Hanceville. There may possibly be other dental hygienist schools in Alabama, but those may still not be recognized or accredited.

There may not be other options for dental hygienist schools in Alabama. But George C. Wallace State Community College (Hanceville campus) is not a bad choice after all. In 2009, it produced 100% of all new graduates of dental hygiene degree programs in the entire state. Students can opt to take a certificate or an associate degree. What is most liked about this school is that most, if not all, of dental hygienists in the states graduated from it.

Dental hygienist schools in Colorado are limited to just three choices. Those are the Community College of Denver, Pueblo Community College, and Colorado Northwestern Community College. There may be many other dental hygienist schools in Colorado other than those three. But it is not clear if those other schools offer accredited and credible programs.

Every year, dental hygienist schools in Colorado produce around 73 graduates with dental hygiene degrees. That is less compared to annual dental hygiene graduates in other states. The shortage of dental hygienist schools in Colorado can be attributed to the not-so-high demand for dental hygiene jobs in the state.

To date, there are about 3,090 professionals who are working as dental hygienists in the state. The state government expects that number to rise by up to 25% by 2018. The average yearly salary for dental hygienists in the area is $53,871 and the median is $75,023.

But according to experts, this can be a possible advantage especially those who are working or getting into the dental hygiene field in the state. Just like in all other states, demand for dental hygiene services is expected to increase in the coming years. With the current rate of graduates produced each year, there will surely be a shortage of such professionals in the state in the future. You may take this as an opportunity for higher income and better career advancement chances.

The Largest Among Dental Hygienist Schools In Colorado

Pueblo Community College is the largest of all dental hygienist schools in Colorado. The Pueblo-based school is producing more than 40% of new dental hygienists in the state each year. In 2009, it had 32 graduates with degrees in dental hygiene. That is the most compared to the number of dental hygiene graduates in all other schools statewide.

In terms of cost, Pueblo Community College is relatively expensive. On the average, a dental hygienist student spends around $2,749 for tuition fees alone. However, compared to tuition costs in other dental hygienist schools in other states, that amount can still be considered as modest.

Two Other Dental Hygienist Schools In Colorado

Community College of Denver is a popular choice especially to students in and around the city. The college offers certificate and associate degree programs in dental hygiene. The costs can be almost at par with the fees in Pueblo Community College.

Colorado Northwestern Community College can be another option. It is located in Rangely. It also offers certificate and associate degree programs in dental hygiene. The costs do not differ that much with the other two dental hygienist schools.

Which of the dental hygienist schools in Colorado should be chosen? You have to consider many factors to make a wiser decision. Look at the reputation and success rates of graduates. Consider location or proximity to your place. Do not overlook the costs. And lastly, take a look at the courses included in the curriculums for dental hygienist programs. It helps that a program offered in a particular school is duly accredited.