Comments on: Dental Hygienist Salary

By: Tatiana

Tatiana — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:26:52 +0000

@anon. Well when you thin about the fact that several hygienists develop carpel tunnel and have eye problems and are then replaced for younger versions, I suppose more than $8 is alright as that is probably the next level of employment she/he will be a candidate for or welfare as so many hygienists are currently applying for that as well. But hey, Congratulations! The dentists complain about paying high taxes, if they would simply employ hygienists and stop discriminating maybe they would not now be paying towards their welfare cheques!

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By: Derrick

Derrick — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:58:09 +0000

So much whine and entitlement in here.
Market equilibrium? No thats unfair.
Union? Your not government employees deal with it.

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By: anon

anon — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:44:38 +0000

I think those are amazing salaries. One should be thankful to get paid so well. I know many people who are stuck at $8/hr in jobs they do.

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By: JCDA

JCDA — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:10:06 +0000

I am a CDA of 10 years. I make 20 an hour. I have no job security, medical/dental benefits ect. I can be asked to do things such as mop floors, pick up kids, get called the night before to not come in for a scheduled shift, I have had things thrown at me, yelled at in front of patients, you name it. I am not to complaining about it, just telling the truth. I am glad I have a job, but its not an easy profession to be in. There are no regulations since its privatized(no union), so the dentists do basically whatever they feel like to their staff. I used to like what I do, but the profession wears on you. Its all about the dentist making more money, when it should be about the patients and the treatment we are providing. I feel the majority of dental professionals are afraid to talk about how they truly feel about their jobs, and that’s sad because we should stand together to make a difference for our profession. I thought about being a hygienist many times but they don’t have it any better, if anything its worse, because they sure they make more an hour, but they sit in the same position all day doing repetitive motions, and they are on a time deadline to get as many cleanings done as possible. We have 3 Hygienist all working in my office part time, and one of them is working as a receptionist making probably less than I do. I would have chose a different career if I knew then what I know now. If you want a stable job with benefits then CDA/Hygienist is not it!

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By: ZL.RDH.,Bsc.

ZL.RDH.,Bsc. — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:21:39 +0000

A Dental Hygienist should at least make an hourly wage that is equivalent to the cost of 1 unit of scaling. If you are making less than that you are under paid for sure. PAID Sick days should also be equivalent to the number of working days per week. If you work a 3 day week …..3 paid sick days a year are what the majority of FAIR dentists who appreciate their staff will give to keep loyal staff .The majority of working RDH’s I know make $50./hr + bonus 500.00-1,200.00 @ x-mass time. RDH with years of experience in Alberta can make up to $80.00 /hr.in a Periodontal office. Maybe we should all move there.

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By: 14 yr dental experience/7 yr hygienist

14 yr dental experience/7 yr hygienist — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:27:43 +0000

Hygiene wage should not decrease or be stagnate, the oda fee guide increases yearly .. So why should wage decrease? People have to understand that hygieisnt work in high risk environment. We work with blood saliva radiation and chemicals, we do not get benefits, pension or paid overtime unlike nurses, firefighter and police. Therefore we are compensated for all of the perks in our wage. Now that there is overflow of dh and they are taking less pay, it is lowering the standard of care and pay. It is unfortunate because dental healthcare should be based on pt’s needs and not what ins determines. A lot of dentist will pressure hygienist to bill 3-4 u of scale and full unit of polish and try to give the hygienist 45 mins with each patient… It is not ethical. Adv hygiene bill can range from 156 to 500/ per pt if rc, sc, or new pt. The hygienist does all the work and dentist comes in for 2 mins. We get 30-40 dollars If lucky and experienced and dentist has major profit and hygiene over head in minimal due to sterilization of instruments. We may use 10 dollars of product for that one pt. I think medical dr should be outraged that a dentist can bill 100 per month with just himsel and 2 hygienist an a medical dr makes how much per year? According to the Canadian salary a medical dr makes anywhere between 190-250 a year do the math.. Dentist are greedy and rcdso should take more action. Hygienist should be booked per pt needs and should bill per pt needs.

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By: Betsy

Betsy — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:55:31 +0000

After 25 years as a dental hygienist I wish I had gone into something else. I get a raise every 5-8 yrs. that I have to fight for. I currently make $30 an hour which is pathetic considering the time I have put in. To top it off I still only get 2 weeks vacation. There is no job security and no jobs availabe. I am forced to stay at my place of employment because there is nothing else. If I knew then what I know now….there is no way I would go into hygiene.

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By: Kimberley

Kimberley — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:58:28 +0000

@Maria:
Maria;
Very very well said.

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By: Joseph

Joseph — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:08:19 +0000

Well im 17 and was thinking about going into this field, but i really don’t know what to do. i want a job with a good salary and security. Is this the field for me? Do people not get employed full time? will i get replaced after a couple of year for a new low paying graduate? Is it hard finding a job?

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By: Alice,RDH in Ontario.

Alice,RDH in Ontario. — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:11:37 +0000

Hi everybody!!!
I agree with Natalie!– there definitely some good private colleges and it doesn’t mean that students are worse then community colleges students.I had teachers who was working in both colleges at the same time.!!!WE all pass at the end the National board exam and this exam makes all of us equal.More of that I would say to pass practical exam it wasn’t easy, but community colleges doesn’t do that, they need to pass only theory and practical they do in the college. Did you try that pressure!!! Each colleges has good or worse things, but nobody can’t assume that your college educate you more.!!! Open your mind:)))
Alice,RDH in Ontario. recently posted..Great Dental Business Opportunity For a Dental Hygienist

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