About 59 million Americans live in areas of the United States that are suffering from a severe shortage of dental healthcare providers, and rural counties are feeling the brunt of this problem. 

Dental hygienists are a critical component of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure, helping to increase patient access to quality oral healthcare. These allied health professionals are in high demand: a May 2021 poll by the American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute found that 28.8% of owner dentists were looking to hire dental hygienists, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that dental hygienist employment will grow 9% between 2023 and 2033. 

This increased need for dental hygienists opens the door to new opportunities for those who are willing to travel for work, and we have jobs in our exclusive database that will meet your personal needs and professional goals. 

When you partner with us to find a travel dental hygienist job, you’ll be connected with a personal recruiter who will learn your preferences and needs and find an assignment that’s right for you. We work to make the transition into a new travel dental hygienist job easy, providing access to an in-house licensing and onboarding team, as well as our travel team, who will arrange all travel and lodging for you.

How much do dental hygienists make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for dental hygienists in the United States was $87,350 in May 2023, however, dental hygienist salary figures heavily depend on location and need. 

Dental hygienists play a crucial role in our nation’s dental healthcare industry, and their salaries reflect the importance of these allied health clinicians. But not all dental hygienists make the same amount of money—in fact, the lowest 10% earned less than $65,110 while the highest 10% earned more than $118,400. 

This range in dental hygienist salary figures is partly due to the environment in which these clinicians work. According to the BLS, dental hygienists working in dentists offices make a median annual salary of $88,450, while those who work in government make $71,030.

Regardless, dental hygienists make more than the median annual wages for all occupations in the United States, which was at $48,060 in May 2023, according to the BLS. 

What is the average traveling dental hygienist salary?

There are no concrete numbers when it comes to travel dental hygienist salary, but travel allied health clinicians often make much more than their permanent counterparts due to supply and demand restraints and their ability to negotiate salary.

Travel dental hygienists are able to quickly deploy where they’re needed most, meaning dental offices and other healthcare organizations are usually willing to pay more for a quick staffing solution. In addition, travel dental hygienists are used to adapting to new practice environments—a skill that increases their value to facilities that need staffing help.

Partnering with us to become a travel dental hygienist allows you and your family to take advantage of our comprehensive benefits programs, which includes:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• FMLA Leave
• Malpractice Insurance
• 401k Savings Plans
• Weekly Pay Via ADP
• State-Specific Leave/Sick Time Policies

The path to becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) varies from state to state, but it can be summarized in three steps: 

1. Graduate from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
2. Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
3. Pass the clinical board examination in the state or region where you wish to practice.

As mentioned above, exact licensing requirements depend on where you’re looking to become a dental hygienist, as each state might have different clinical or continuing education requirements for initial licensure or renewal.  

Ultimately, to become a dental hygienist in the United States, you must become licensed. This process helps protect patients, ensuring that those who provide care are qualified to do so. 

What do dental hygienists do?

Dental hygienists assist dentists in dental offices and are typically responsible for conducting teeth cleanings, screening for oral diseases, taking X-rays of a patient’s mouth, educating patients on oral hygiene, keeping records of patient care, and otherwise helping patients maintain their oral health. 

Dental hygienists are the main point of contact for patients who come into dental offices for regular teeth cleanings and oral exams, as they normally are the ones who remove plaque and tartar from teeth and administer fluoride before the dentist comes in to conduct a final examination. 

How much does a dental hygienist make?

The median dental hygienist salary in the United States was $87,350 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These salary figures depend heavily on the location and practice setting, however, as BLS data suggests the bottom 10% of dental hygienists made a median annual salary of less than $65,110 while the highest 10% earned more than $118,400. 

How do you become a dental hygienist? 

Becoming a licensed dental hygienist is a process that varies from state to state, but it involves three main steps: first, you must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program; second, you must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination; and third, you must pass the board examinations in the state in which you want to practice dental hygiene.

How long does it take to become a dental hygienist?

It typically takes about two to four years to become a licensed dental hygienist, as there is a fair amount of schooling and examinations required before you can start practicing.