The flexibility of the work schedule remains appealing to dental hygienists, who often schedule hours to meet family obligations or other personal interests. Nationally, just 47% of dental hygienists work 30 to 40 hours a week. In addition, 17% of dental hygienists have spent more than 20 years at their primary dental employer.
A veteran hygienist commented, “I have been practicing for 40+ years and I still love my work. I have worked part time, full time, double time, and everything in between. I am fortunate that my career has been flexible with my family needs. I don't think I would change a thing if I were given the chance to do it all over again.”
The statistics in this article are based on the responses of 871 dental hygienists who participated in a “profile” study of the profession. The survey was initiated in February 2014.
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One question in the survey asked dental hygienists how many hours a week they work on average. Hygienists of all age groups indicate that work schedules remain flexible throughout a career.
- Hygienists under 30 years of age: 3% work less than 10 hours a week (not including unemployed hygienists); 11% work 10 to 20 hours; 22% work 20 to 30 hours; 53% work 30 to 40 hours; and 5% work more than 40 hours a week.
- Hygienists 31 to 40 years old: 4% work less than 10 hours a week (not including unemployed hygienists); 9% work 10 to 20 hours; 34% work 20 to 30 hours; 46% work 30 to 40 hours; and 5% work more than 40 hours a week.
- Hygienists 41 to 50 years old: 3% work less than 10 hours a week (not including unemployed hygienists); 11% work 10 to 20 hours; 21% work 20 to 30 hours; 55% work 30 to 40 hours; and 7% work more than 40 hours a week.
- Hygienists 51 to 60 years old: 5% work less than 10 hours a week (not including unemployed hygienists); 15% work 10 to 20 hours; 25% work 20 to 30 hours; 45% work 30 to 40 hours; and 7% work more than 40 hours a week.
“I love the relationships I have established with my patients over the last 15 years in our practice,” a hygienist said. “I love my flexible schedule and feel my pay is fair. I am able to have an important career and stay involved in my children's busy schedules by working three days a week. It works great for my family.”
The survey also asked dental hygienists about the number of years of employment at the practice where the dental hygienist spends the “majority” of his/her working time. More than 40% in age groups older than 30 years old have devoted six to 15 years of employment at their primary practice. Among hygienists older than 51 years, 35% have been with their primary employer for more than 15 years.
Five years or less employed at primary practice
- Hygienists under age 30, 80%
- Hygienists age 31 to 40, 47%
- Hygienists age 41 to 50, 22%
- Hygienists age 51 to 60, 19%
Six to 15 years employed at primary practice
- Hygienists under age 30, 14%
- Hygienists age 31 to 40, 43%
- Hygienists age 41 to 50, 41%
- Hygienists age 51 to 60, 41%
More than 15 years employed at primary practice
- Hygienists age 31 to 40, 8%
- Hygienists age 41 to 50, 29%
- Hygienists age 51 to 60, 35%
“In my 20 years as a dental hygienist, I have been fortunate to put myself in the kind of practice situations I want to work in, and that makes being a dental hygienist worth it,” one hygienist noted. “I have been in situations that the team and/or dentist and I did not see eye to eye, so I moved on. I have learned over the years that the environment I work in allows me to be the dental hygienist I want to be. It was through my own professional path that I discovered what I enjoyed about dental hygiene, and I embraced it.”
