dental hygienist/RN and pay difference

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why is it that dental hygienists get paid so much more than rns?

really, all they do is clean teeth. i have nothing against them at all, it's great that they are concerned for the health of peoples mouths, but come on, nurses do waaay more than that! i have a sister and cousin who are both hygienists, but i don't have the nerve to ask them this question! just curious if anyone had some logical answers.

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Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).

Around here, they don't make more than RN's.

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A dental hygienist has a four year degree and they do much more than clean teeth. Most areas the pay is similar to the RN, but again it depends on where you live and supply and demand.

A dental assistant in many places can clean teeth.

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There are also associate degree hygienists.

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Around here, they don't make more than RN's.

here in Tulsa, they make about 10-15k more a year.

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Specializes in Addictions, Corrections, QA/Education.

My sister in law just finished college as a dental hygienist (she went to school for 2 years and has an associates degree) and she makes $6 more an hour than me:angryfire ...and she is fresh out of school. However, she WAS a dental assistant for the same dentist for a long time so that might be why!

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Associate Degree hygienists, are dental assistants, more like the differance between an RN, and a medical assistant or nurses aide. And in most areas, hygienists make alot more money than nurses do. It is simple supply and demand. Their are not alot of hygienists around, and nurses are a dime a dozen. All the more reason to go to a BSN as entry into practice, and limit the masses of people becoming nurses. A new grad is always 6 months away from graduation from ABC Community College.There is no reason to focus on retention when the older nurses leave, and the hospital can pay a new grad, ten dollars an hour less than the older nurse. Say it isn't so.

Lindarn, RN, BSN CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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?

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Associate Degree hygienists, are dental assistants, more like the differance between an RN, and a medical assistant or nurses aide.

Lindarn, RN, BSN CCRN

Spokane, Washington

Well I don't know how it is In Spokane.. But here there are actually hygienists with associates degrees.

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Specializes in Addictions, Corrections, QA/Education.

My sis in law is a dental hygienist (associates degree)...she had to take two days worth of state boards to become a registered dental hygienist.

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... and nurses are a dime a dozen.

Lindarn, RN, BSN CCRN

Spokane, Washington

Well if thats the case.. Then what is this so called "Demand" thing I keep hearing about?

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My CC offers an associates in Dental Assisting and an Associates in Dental Hygiene so no an associates degree does not equal dental assistance. At least that is the way it is here where I live. A good friend of mine went to my CC a few years back and got her associates in dental hygienist started working and then continued on to get her Bachelors. There was no difference in pay when she finished her Bac. Maybe its different in other areas of the country.

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