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Dental Hygienists
Description
Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.
Common Tasks
- Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
- Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
Required Education
Associate's degree
Wages
In 2016 the mean hourly wage in the Greater Sacramento area was $46.29 . The hourly rate for this occupation typically paid between $39.38 and $57.42 .
In 2016 the mean annual salary in the Greater Sacramento area was $96,285.51 . The annual salary for this occupation typically paid between $81,910.14 and $119,446.38 .
Occupation Outlook
This occupation employed 1,970 people in the Greater Sacramento area during 2014.
By 2024, there is expected to be an increase of 15.2% in the number of jobs in the Greater Sacramento area for this occupation, bringing to total number to 2,270.
By 2024, in the Greater Sacramento area, the median hourly rate for this occupation is expected to be $46.00 with the median annual salary reaching $96,214.
