Of the dental hygienists who answered our “perks” survey in the March 12, 2010, issue of RDH eVillage, 74.9% earn their income based on an hourly rate, 14.6% based on daily rate, 6.6% based on production and commission and only 3.9% have an annual salary.
Of the hygienists who received salaries based on production and commission, a variety of salary models were reported. Some received a bonus for exceeding production goals (including product sales, treatment recommendations, and/or treatment completed) — either monthly or quarterly. Others receive profits sharing or bonuses based on total office production. Still others receive a commission ranging from 10% to 30% of production after a designated target has been reached.
Another interesting twist is that some hygienists receive a bonus on collection or accounts payable, meaning —unless the fees are collected for the services provided — the hygienist will not get paid his/her bonus.
A hygienist from West Virginia states, “I am on an annual salary, plus I receive 25% bonuses quarterly if I surpass my goal. It is 25% of anything over my quarterly goal. They can be very nice, but I work my tail off.”
And one RDH in Minnesota stated that he/she hasn’t received a raise in five years. And another who didn’t include his/her state, said that he receives a flat 30% of production.
Another salary model was noted by a hygienist in Pennsylvania. The salary is based on an hourly rate, but, if production goals are met, there’s an increase for the hourly rate for that day.
One hygienist in Kansas provided the comment that he/she was paid by the minute! Which begs further clarification, and RDH eVillage encourages that professional to email us for further clarification.
The responses to the question, “Does your employer offer any assistance with earning continuing education credits?” included:
• 36.8% state that they receive no assistance
• 58.9% reported they they receive payment for tuition
• 16.5% Pays for lunch/dinner before, during, or after course
• 7.6% pays mileage to travel
• Only 17.8% receive a salary while attending CE.
What wasn’t asked and we included it in this month’s survey, was the actual production goal /rate. So please take the time to answer this month’s survey questions so we can plot the various production targets of RDHs across the United States.
Thank you for all the readers who responded; it will take a few issues to mine and release all the data, stay tuned!
Kristine A. Hodsdon RDH, BS
Director, RDH eVillage
