RN versus Dental Hygienist

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
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.

Quote from thecommuterthe 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.

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!

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

Quote from ericalynnalso 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

Quote from Pepper The CatYeah and we nurse just have to look at the other end, and deal with the nasty smells coming out of there! :spin:

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!

Quote from Pepper The CatYeah and we nurse just have to look at the other end, and deal with the nasty smells coming out of there! :spin:

Cleaning the mouth?I'm bored already.And, secretions and appearance of same is nasty.

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!

Quote from ericalynnalso 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 think dental hygiene can be a good career. I considered it once I realized how long the wait was for a nursing school slot in my area. Here is why I am currently planning on nursing and not dental hygiene:1) The dental hygiene program near me costs about three times the nursing program I plan to attend. (And by the time I would get admitted to the dental hygiene program, I expect to be starting the nursing program.)2) I believe that I have more growth opportunities in nursing.3) I think that I would get bored with mostly cleaning teeth.4) While there is a growing demand for dental hygienists across the country and in my state, the demand for nurses is way above that. I figure that it will give me greater power to move in the workplace as I seek good benefits, salary, etc.On the other hand, I think dental hygienists have great schedules - way better than nurses. They can choose to work part- or full-time. They don't have to work nights or weekends. They also get to sit and work on patients (on the other hand, the detailed procedures in the mouth are likely to tax the hands and wrists). They get to work in a nice, clean facility. Dental hygienists don't have to deal with poop, pee, or vomit. They don't have to lift their patients. They get to work one-on-one with patients. They have about 6 to 8 patients a day (my guess).Bottom line... I don't think you can go wrong with either profession. Both will enable you to earn decent money. I think you should look at the growth needs in your current geographical area. Will you have many choices of employer? Also, what are your interests? Which would you rather do?