About the Profession

Registered Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases-to protect teeth and gums as well as protect patients’ total health.

The “RDH” Designation

“RDH” means “Registered Dental Hygienist.” The RDH credential identifies a dental hygienist as a licensed oral health professional. State licensure requirements typically require that a dental hygienist must graduate from a nationally accredited dental hygiene education program, successfully pass a national written examination, and a state or regional clinical examination.

Education

Dental hygienists are graduates of accredited dental hygiene programs at colleges and universities and must pass both written and clinical exams before they are licensed to practice. In addition to providing direct patient care, dental hygienists work as educators, researchers, and administrators. At UAMS, dental hygiene graduates earn a Bachelor of Science degree. Students are required to complete at least 51 semester credits of prerequisite college coursework before admission to the UAMS dental hygiene program.

Scope of Practice

Each state has its own specific regulations and the range of services performed by dental hygienists vary from one state to another. As part of dental hygiene services, dental hygienists may:

  • perform oral health care assessments that include reviewing patients’ health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and taking and recording blood pressure;
  • expose, process, and interpret dental X-rays;
  • remove plaque and calculus (tartar)-soft and hard deposits-from above and below the gumline;
  • apply cavity-preventive agents, such as fluorides and sealants, to the teeth;
  • teach patients proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums;
  • counsel patients about plaque control and develop individualized at-home oral hygiene programs; and
  • counsel patients on the importance of good nutrition for maintaining optimal oral health.

In Arkansas, hygienists can administer local anesthesia.

Employment Opportunities

Dental hygienists can work as clinicians, educators, researchers, administrators, managers, preventive program developers, consumer advocates, sales and marketing managers, editors, and consultants. Clinical dental hygienists may work in a variety of health care settings such as private dental offices, schools, public health clinics, hospitals, managed care organizations, correctional institutions, or nursing homes.

Job Outlook

Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2028, ranking among the fastest growing occupations, in response to increasing demand for dental care and the greater utilization of hygienists to perform services previously performed by dentists. Job prospects are expected to remain excellent. Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth will stimulate demand for dental hygienists. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ dental hygienists, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to employ one or even two hygienists. In addition, as dentists’ workloads increase, they are expected to hire more hygienists to perform preventive dental care.

Earnings

The national median hourly earnings of dental hygienists are approximately $28.00 – $33.00. Earnings vary greatly by geographic location, employment setting, and years of experience. Dental hygienists may be paid on an hourly, daily, salary, or commission basis. A four-day work week is very common in the dental profession. The average starting salary for a new graduate in Arkansas is approximately $52,800-$67,600 (4-day work week). Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. Dental hygienists who work for school systems, public health agencies, the Federal Government, or State agencies usually have substantial benefits.

How Can I Get More Information about RDHs?

Please contact the American Dental Hygienists’ Association-the largest national organization representing the professional interests of the more than 185,000 licensed dental hygienists nationwide at www.adha.org.