Alaska
Who responded: 10 total, including four full-time hygienists
Arizona
Who responded: 42 total, including 29 full-time hygienists
Paid holidays: 38% enjoy six paid holidays off; 17% are off with pay for four holidays.
Paid vacation: 21% have three or more weeks of paid vacation each year; 21% enjoy one week; 14% are off for two weeks. 28% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (24%); up to 10 days (0%); up to 15 days (3%); more than 15 days (0%). 73% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 27% receiving paid sick days, 23% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 4% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 11%, but not other expenses. 85% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 10% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 35% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Receive a monthly bonus based off of production and collection.
- End-of-year bonus. New instruments when I need them.
California
Who responded: 190 total, including 105 full-time hygienists
Paid holidays: 21% enjoy six paid holidays off; 9% are off with pay for four holidays.
Paid vacation: 21% have two weeks of paid vacation each year; 13% enjoy one week; 12% are off for three or more weeks. 38% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (12%); up to 10 days (4%); up to 15 days (1%); more than 15 days (0%). 82% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 17% receiving paid sick days, 15% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 12% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 13%, but not other expenses. 76% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 11% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 30% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- They offer paid registration for CDA Convention and fee based CE's courses offered at convention.
- CPR and infection control courses are covered by my employer. I generally get paid my full daily salary, even if I only have two patients, or if I am not there all day.
- Flexibility for time off.
- I get 4% of sales — products and commission for various services I promote to patients such as orthodontic and esthetic services
- $100 bonus for each year of continued employment.
- Monthly bonus plan; all employees participate prorated on full-time hours.
- He takes the entire staff out for lunch on birthdays and throws a great Christmas party. We get bonuses throughout the year and a nice check at Christmas. Each 10-year anniversary for every staff member is a big deal too. He is upbeat and funny and appreciates each one of us. He brings in snacks and stocks the office lunch rooms with drinks too.
- Holiday card with gift card/cash. Birthday card with gift/cash. Birthday cake/food in office for all to celebrate with you.
Hawaii
Who responded: Eight total, including seven full-time hygienists
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Office trips to Las Vegas, production bonuses, and doctor paid for my son's orthodontic costs.
- Parking (parking in Honolulu is hard to find and expensive)
Idaho
Who responded: 16 total including nine full-time hygienists
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- We are able to order as needed — new instruments, US tips, patient education information, patient oral care products.
- I generally continue in office work, even if schedule falls apart. Alternating morning and evening office hours gives me two 4-day weekends a month.
- An annual Christmas bonus
- Reduced fees for immediate family. Occasional chair massages.
Nevada
Who responded: Six full-time hygienists out of 15 total
Oregon
Who responded: 12 full-time hygienists out of 35 total
Paid holidays: 25% are off with pay for six holidays; 14% said they are paid for five holidays; and 8% enjoy 10 or more paid holidays each year.
Paid vacation: 41% have three or more weeks off each year; 33% have two weeks of paid vacation each year; and 0% enjoy one week. 25% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (8%); up to 10 days (0%); up to 15 days (0%); more than 15 days (8%). 83% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 17% receiving paid sick days, 22% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 27% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 46%, but not other expenses. 27% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 33% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 80% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Random office parties (bowling, pool party, etc.). Excellent Christmas party. Gifts on holidays (last year we all got iPads!). Annual reviews, sincere efforts to make our office run more smoothly, morning huddles, monthly staff meetings
- $50 per month for physical fitness
- Quarterly bonuses for meeting production goals, new patients, and referrals.
Utah
Who responded: Three full-time hygienists out of eight total
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Free dental for myself, and 50% for my immediate family.
Washington
Who responded: 29 full-time hygienists out of 63 total
Paid holidays: 38% are off with pay for six holidays; 10% said they are paid for eight holidays; and 10% enjoy four paid holidays each year.
Paid vacation: 55% have three or more weeks off each year; 28% have two weeks of paid vacation each year; and 3% enjoy one week. 50% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (28%); up to 10 days (7%); up to 15 days (0%); more than 15 days (3%). 62% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 38% receiving paid sick days, 25% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 35% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 19%, but not other expenses. 46% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 28% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 77% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- We can take vacation whenever we want — not just when the dentist takes it. Plus, we can work when he is vacationing.
- Matched 401K. Peace of mind going to work each day and thoroughly enjoying the dentist you work for and our work environment.
- Unpaid leave of absence (three weeks) to volunteer overseas.
