Satisfactioninside

Career Satisfaction: Dental hygienists are satisfied, yet still daydream

Feb. 9, 2015
Overall, dental hygienists are “satisfied” with their career decision. According to a January 2015 RDH eVillage survey, 84% indicated they made the right choice about entering the profession. A slight dip in this high percentage occurs with more recent graduates:
17% of dental hygienists think about a career change once a month

Overall, dental hygienists are “satisfied” with their career decision. According to a January 2015 RDH eVillage survey, 84% indicated they made the right choice about entering the profession. A slight dip in this high percentage occurs with more recent graduates:

  • Graduated in the 1970s, 88%
  • Graduated in the 1980s, 86%
  • Graduated in the 1990s, 88%
  • Graduated in the 2000s, 76%
  • Graduated after 2010, 79%

More than 800 dental hygienists participated in the survey, and 90% said they are currently employed in the clinical dental hygiene setting.

You can still participate in the survey by clicking here.

Many workers contemplate leaving their jobs. A late 2013 CareerBuilder.com survey revealed 21% of American workers planned to change jobs in 2014, and only 59% were satisfied with their current jobs.

RDH eVillage asked dental hygienists how often they “think” about leaving their careers. The largest percentage, 22%, said “never.”

An Oklahoma hygienist commented, “I thoroughly enjoy my career and have realized it was what I was meant to do with my life. I do wish I had known that some dentists not only pay well, but offer some important benefits. By that, I mean paid vacation, good bosses, retirement package, etc. The dental hygiene field should be more open about what is going on pay-wise and with benefits so we can band together to ensure we all are getting equal rights from our employers. Again, I would choose dental hygiene, even if I could go back to the beginning. I’d just be less naive.”

Other hygienists, though, flirt with random musings about a career in another field, and do so within these time frames:

  • 17% think about a career change on a monthly basis
  • 16% on a yearly basis
  • 13% on a weekly basis
  • 13% on a daily basis
  • 9% once a decade
  • 2% on an hourly basis

A New York hygienist said, “I really thought that this profession was great because of salary and hours. Now that I need to support myself, and the way the economy is, I’m a working poor person. I work my butt off with low salary, no benefits, and no appreciation. I wish I could do something else and not come home exhausted every night.”

If the right opportunity presented itself to dental hygienists within the next 12 months, would they change jobs?

  • 36% said it was “very likely” that they would
  • 34% said it was “very unlikely” that they would make the change
  • 30% were uncertain

A Florida hygienist said, “After 36 years as an RDH, I still love hygiene. But we work harder now with fewer benefits, and I just need a change.”

Who do dental hygienists talk to when they contemplate a change in their “career paths?” Unsurprisingly, 61% turn to a family member. But other attentive ears could be found with:

  • A colleague (20%)
  • A best friend (12%)
  • Professional coach/mentor (3%)
  • A pet (2%)
  • Employer (1%)
  • A stranger (1%)

The survey’s questionnaire also asked dental hygienists which career paths outside clinical hygiene that they have or would consider. The responses below filtered only the responses from the 90% who currently work in clinical hygiene. The question encouraged participants to include all choices that they have considered.

  • Consulting, 22%
  • Teaching in an academic institution, 33%
  • Research, 20%
  • Working for a dental manufacturer or dealer, 29%
  • Leaving for a profession outside of dentistry, 44%
  • Staying right where you are, 22%
  • Entrepreneur, 17%

Write-in responses to the question included:

  • Certified health coach
  • Office management
  • Dental school
  • Independent dental hygiene practice, or midlevel provider
  • Serving the underserved
  • Dental insurance company
  • New patient coordinator
  • Nursing
  • Occupational therapy
  • Public or community health dentistry
  • Myofunctional therapy

We can only assume that the respondent who said “mow the grass at a cemetery” was being sarcastic.

Upcoming articles will address the survey’s questions about the managerial skills of supervisors, and coping with stress in the dental workplace.

About the Author

Mark Hartley

Mark Hartley is the editor of RDH magazine and collaborates with Kristine Hodsdon on many of the articles for RDH eVillage, which also appear on DentistryIQ.com.