RN versus Dental Hygienist

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

Just curious guys...I have a cousin who is a new Dental Hygienist and she told me how much she makes and I could not believe it. She makes more than the new grad RN. I am not saying RNs are better than Dental Hygienist. Do you guys have an idea why the Dentist are paying them so much?? My aunt said because they don't have benefits and have to get them on their own...Just curious..

Angel

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The average dental hygienist earns $28 hourly nationwide, and is on part-time status only. They typically must work several dental office gigs to earn a full-time living.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
the average dental hygienist earns $28 hourly nationwide, and is on part-time status only. they typically must work several dental office gigs to earn a full-time living.

i figured that...i considered the program in my community college two years ago when i was taking my pre-reqs for the rn because some of them are the same but didn't know anything about it so i waited and waited for the rn program to no avail. hehe...oh well i will be an lpn soon so i'm happy.

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My mom was dental assistant her whole life and recently she told me I should be a dental hygenist because there are short programs apparently and I could make "good money" and she doesn't think I can handle the "dirty work" nursing entails.

The truth is- I want to be able to move up in my career. I won't ever be happy in a career where I am given no autonomy. Nursing provides a lot of different options in choosing exactly what kind of environment you want to work in.. It also allows for advancement. I want to be an NP eventually.

My stepmom is a dental hygenist and she worked in a few offices where she was treated like crap by the dentists (my real mom also was treated like crap but she apparently figures its ok.. I told her I dont want to be under some a-hole dentist and she said .. "oh well some of them might be nice". Thats ridiculous to me. I'd be dependent on a dentist ALWAYS and Id have to just cross my fingers and hope he/she treats me right.)

My stepmom couldnt get enough work in her area and now she lives 3.5 hours away from my dad, bc the only way for her to make enough was to move next to a military base that hires DHs full-time.

I would never be a dental hygenist.

The medical careers I have considered are: MD, naturopathic physician, nursing (to NP), pharmacist, Physician Assistant. Unfortunately for me... In hawaii there are NO accredited schools for NDs, pharmacy or PAs. That leaves nursing and MDs. My Navy husband may not be in one place long enough for me to do med school, so my best plan of action is now nursing to NP. Dont do dental hygiene!

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Specializes in Oncology, Ortho, Neuro.

also as a dental hygenist you have to look in people's nasty mouths and smell their nasty breath. I would rather do just about ANYTHING other than that! Those hygenists deserve every penny they make :)

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Specializes in Gerontology.
also as a dental hygenist you have to look in people's nasty mouths and smell their nasty breath. I would rather do just about ANYTHING other than that! Those hygenists deserve every penny they make :)

Yeah and we nurse just have to look at the other end, and deal with the nasty smells coming out of there!

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.
Yeah and we nurse just have to look at the other end, and deal with the nasty smells coming out of there!

lol, just what I was thinking! :roll:chuckle

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

There is no way in heck i could ever work on one part of the body for the rest of my life. ESP in so many other persons mouths..HECK NO! for all that do it, more power to em!! and thanks for being there for me! :)

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
Yeah and we nurse just have to look at the other end, and deal with the nasty smells coming out of there!

hehe :lol2:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

Cleaning the mouth?

I'm bored already.

And, secretions and appearance of same is nasty.

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I'm a dental hygienist, currently in my senior year of a BSN program. I can make more money as a hygienist than a nurse, but I got burned out very quickly. It is pretty much a dead end job, unless you want to teach or do sales, neither of which interest me. I was initially turned off by nursing because of the dealing with bodily functions and nether regions, but at some point I got over that. I packed up my scalers and applied to nursing school. I am really enjoying it and I know I made the right decision this time! I knew halfway through hygiene school that I could NOT do that the rest of my life.

Btw, I think it's hilarious how some people are disgusted by mouths! I, and most hygienists I know, usually love to tackle a really dirty mouth. The more calculus, the better! Nothing like discovering teeth under 20 years of buildup!

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
also as a dental hygenist you have to look in people's nasty mouths and smell their nasty breath. I would rather do just about ANYTHING other than that! Those hygenists deserve every penny they make :)

I second that sentiment.

Dental Hygiene is great for people who want to have a one sided conversation. Not my cup of tea. My aunt was a dental hygenist, then she became a counselor when she was in her late 40s I think, maybe because she wanted to listen instead of do all the talking, at least that was my theory.

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