Dental Hygiene School: A Good Career Move for Moms?

By Sarah Clark
Career Colleges Columnist

Dental hygiene may not fit your idea of a dream career, but it has many perks that deserve a serious look, particularly by moms seeking a family-friendly career. Here's why attending dental hygiene school makes you one smart cookie, even if it means campaigning against sugar.

Would you like to earn $28 an hour while working a flexible, part-time schedule? It may sound too good to be true, but jobs in dental hygiene offer just that. Dental hygiene may be the perfect career for a mom looking to earn some extra income without shouldering the burden of a full-time job.

It may come as a surprise, but dental hygiene jobs pay well. In 2004, median hourly wage for a dental hygienist was $28.05 (half earned more, half earned less). And it gets better. More than half of dental hygienists work part time, less than 35 hours per week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Because many dentists need only part-time help, it's fairly easy to find part time work. You can work two days week, five afternoons a week, or on weekends, for example. It's not unreasonable to expect to carve out a work schedule that fits you own and your family's needs.

There's even more good news about dental hygiene careers. The BLS predicts the number of dental hygiene jobs in the United States to increase by a staggering 27 percent (or more) between 2004 and 2014, and that means stability for you, should you enter the field.

The Scoop on Dental Hygiene School

To pursue a career in dental hygiene, you need formal training from a bona fide dental hygiene degree program. That typically takes about two years and results in a dental hygiene associate's degree. Some dental hygiene schools offer certificate programs, which may take less time to complete.

Once you've finished your dental hygiene degree, what can you expect your day-to-day work to be like? You'll be helping people learn how to take care of their teeth, giving them treatments aimed at preventing tooth decay and gum disease. You’ll also take x-rays, perform routine teeth cleanings, dispense fluoride treatments, and assist dentists during more complex procedures.

Start researching dental hygiene schools today and begin planning your degree, and a career that gives you the time and flexibility to be both a parent and a bread winner.

About the Author
Sarah Clark is a freelance writer specializing in career development and postsecondary education.

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